The Next Chapter…
I spent more than ten years of my life competing in possibly the most obscure (and frankly controversial) sport you’ll likely ever come across - target shooting.
And though I’ve turned the page on those days, it’s the lessons learned from that life that guide me as I write the next chapter.
Sport is hardly a perfect environment, but through it I have learned so much - about myself, other people, humanity in general. Like so many things in this world, it is deeply flawed and so much has been uncovered in recent years. Corruption. Scandal. Abuse. But it has the potential to be so much more.
The true power of sport lies in its stories. They are the beating heart of its enduring appeal.
The underdog defying the odds. Shared experiences turning rivalry to friendship. Resilience triumphs in the face of adversity. Stories like those capture our imagination, bring us together, show us that anything is possible, inspire us in our darkest moments. They have the power to change lives, to make the world a better place.
I dedicated the best part of a decade to my sport, to writing my own story, and during that time I lost more often than I won, learned more about myself than I care to admit in the process, and forged friendships that I will cherish forever. Those stories guide me as I embark on the next chapter, and maybe by sharing them they can guide someone else too.
My story isn’t likely to change the world…
But if it can influence even one person’s life for the better then that’s a job well done.
What Makes a Good Villain?
If conflict is the central to good storytelling, then a well-rounded and well-written antagonist is the key to unlocking that…
Building a Fantasy World
Worldbuilding is the cornerstone of sci-fi and fantasy. It’s what sets the genre apart, what drew me to it in the first place, and creating my own has been a delight…
The Power of Writing
Writing helps me make sense of the chaos in my head. It can help us organise our thoughts and process our emotions. It offers us a chance to reflect, to connect and create…
Goal Setting: An Exercise in Neuroticism
Setting annual goals is a key part of performance sporting environments, but this was the first year I tried to apply it to things I wanted to achieve beyond sport…
The Publishing Quandary
The closer I get to publishing, the more terrified I am becoming, and have to keep reminding myself why I’m doing this. The answer to that question has changed over the years, but it wasn’t until I started exploring publishing routes that I realised how much it had changed…
The Book Thing…
I had two dreams growing up. Firstly, to compete at the Olympic Games. Secondly, to become a published author…