Why I Chose the Independent Path: Balancing the Day Job with the Dream

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Do you have a 'second universe' or a passion project that keeps you sane?
 
Balancing the Day Job with the Dream

While I truly enjoy my professional career, there is a side of me that needs a different kind of air to breathe. For me, that air is writing. People often ask why I chose to become an independent author instead of following the traditional publishing route, and the answer is simple: total, unfiltered freedom.

Writing is my "second universe." While my regular job keeps me grounded in reality, my stories allow me to escape and create without boundaries. Being an independent author means I am the architect of these worlds. I have the creative liberty to jump between genres depending on where my heart—or my frustration—is that day.

The Three Pillars of My Creative World

My writing isn't just one thing because I am not just one thing. Being independent allows me to pivot between three very different styles, each serving a unique purpose in my life:

  • The Heart: Memoirs and Memories. Writing memoirs is a beautiful process of time travel. It allows me to recollect the adventures that shaped me and, perhaps most importantly, my experiences as a volunteer in dog shelters. There is a specific kind of soul-healing that comes from working with animals, and capturing those stories is my way of honoring the bond between humans and their four-legged companions.
  • The Release: Satire. We all deal with "high-level nonsense" in our professional lives—the jargon, the meetings that could have been emails, and the absurdities of modern society. For me, satire is therapy. It’s my way of letting go of frustrations by turning them into something we can all laugh at. If I can take a stressful situation and transform it into a comedic scene, the nonsense loses its power over me.
  • The Warning: Thrillers. When I dive into thrillers, I have a more serious mission. Throughout our lives and careers, we all encounter "dangerous" people—narcissists, manipulators, and those who hide behind masks of perfection. I use fiction to shed light on these personalities. It’s a way to explore the red flags and the psychology of these individuals, wrapped in a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on their toes.

The Power of the "Indie" Spirit

The "independent" part of being an author is just as important to me as the writing itself. In my professional life, I understand the value of leadership and strategy, and I love applying those skills to my books.

I enjoy being in the driver’s seat. I decide the cover art, I choose how to promote the work, and I determine how much of my soul to put into each page. There are no gatekeepers telling me a dog memoir doesn't "fit the brand" of a workplace thriller. I trust my readers to come along for the ride across all these genres because they know they are getting the authentic version of my voice.

More Than a Hobby

Writing started as a hobby—a quiet escape at the end of a long workday. But it has grown into a calling. It’s the place where I can circle back to my sanity, process my past, and warn others about the future.

Balancing a day job with an author's life isn't always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. It reminds me that we don't have to be just one thing. We can be professionals, volunteers, comedians, and storytellers all at once.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Disclaimer

The views expressed on this blog are my own and based on my personal experience. They do not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with your HR department or legal counsel for specific situations.