It feels like many modern stories are missing something. Whether it’s a timeless message, a unifying ideal, or a call back to our past, every book, movie, or show is about the routine and often exaggerated quirks of living in the modern era.

Looking back, I’m reminded that’s not how it always was.

I can remember the first time I tried to write something. It was in 1993, and the first season of The X-Files was on television. Only nine then, I was drawn to the show mainly for the thrilling scares. But there was more to the show than a weekly sci-fi creep fest. At its core was a unifying truth about our fascination and fear of the unknown. It inspired me to start writing.

I pulled out my mom’s typewriter; I am old enough to have used one and went to work. I only wrote three whole paragraphs before getting distracted. But I remember the idea that was rolling around in my head. It was an epic about elementary school kids, some of whom I wasn’t even friends with, solving paranormal mysteries.

Since then, I’ve been writing in one form or another. In high school and college, I was a playwright. My first play was panned by my high school faculty as a “good effort” by an ambitious young man.

My time in college went better. I managed to write a play, a short one-act drama that was performed alongside four other student productions one semester.

After graduating, I finally managed to start writing in a professional setting. I was employed for two years with WMUR-TV in New Hampshire, writing promotional spots for their news division. It was great work, and it gave me a lot of experience.

Unfortunately, working in the news division eroded my love of writing. In a decision that may have been short-sighted, I opted for a different line of work for the next seventeen or so years.

Still, writing was never far away. There were the nights I’d stay up and outline a brief short story. Downtimes at work would lead to me pulling up a Word document and knocking out a chapter of my latest book idea.

In those intervening years, I married my amazing wife, whose own success in entrepreneurship inspired me to restart my writing career. We welcomed our daughter into the world a few years ago and experienced two significant moves—one from Massachusetts to South Carolina and then to Florida, where I reside.

There is something else that I feel I must mention. During this time, my lengthy battle with addiction played out. And like most young people, I once thought it couldn’t happen to me. I don’t doubt this also kept me from pursuing my writing career.

This battle lasted until I finally admitted I couldn’t beat it alone and let Christ back into my life. Thankfully, I called for his help before my struggles could destroy my life and family. It would be unfair not to mention how God’s love has changed my life and how much I wish to share that feeling with young readers.

Almost three years sober, with that reliable nine-to-five and a loving family, God has reminded me of the one dream I still haven’t pursued in earnest—my hopes of becoming a writer.

One of my favorite modern authors, Andrew Klavan, once said (paraphrasing): You don’t just decide to become a writer. You start doing the job of writing, and you keep going and learning. Then, someday, if you’re persistent enough and a little lucky, you become a writer.

So, I’ve decided to start doing the job of writing. And I ask you to take the journey with me. Check out my free short story or my blog page. You can sign up for my newsletter to receive exclusive content such as author updates, blog notifications, and book reviews.