In late 2019 I decided to quit full-time office work with a view to fulfilling several long-held ambitions. My plan was to build my portfolio as a freelance writer, write my debut novel, and attain a level of physical fitness suitable to try out for the Australian Army Reserve.

My decision to become an independent writer wasn’t something I took lightly – but neither was it reckless. I have useful professional skills, plus I had a highly supportive spouse, no significant debts, no dependents, and a relatively comfortable living situation (although I still pay rent, bills and living expenses). The plan was to do it for six months and then assess my situation.

In short, I considered it to be a calculated risk with realistic fallback options.

As it turns out, the six-month point where I was deciding on what to do next was in… March 2020. Just as the CORONA-19 crisis kicked off.

It’s been an interesting journey and I’ve decided to share it with you.

Mind you, I feel that ‘journey’ is a terribly generic term. Adventure might be a better term, for it implies some kind of venturing into the unknown.

Since starting on this journey I’ve had successes and I’ve had setbacks.

I’ve had days where I’ve felt good about my direction and I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned my decision. I’ve had moments where things progressed beautifully – and I’ve had had days where little seemed to go according to The Plan.

My intention is to share those stories. Expect short pieces, long commentary, opinions, factual reporting, speculation… It might be light, serious, impassioned, rational, composed, resigned, or bordering on satire.

Expect a lot of different stuff.

But most of all, expect honesty and openness.

So watch this space and let’s share whatever comes our way.