From Full-Time Writer to Balancing Acts: The Journey Behind The Balance
Life has a funny way of reshaping our paths, and in this new season of my career, I’ve found myself balancing the creative world of storytelling with the rewarding (and occasionally chaotic) world of teaching. Since stepping into my full-time role at a school, my writing process has undergone a transformation. Instead of long, uninterrupted writing days, I’ve filled the gaps between lessons and the quieter moments of my weekends with writing—turning these snippets of time into a new creative rhythm.
The Balance, my 31st novel, is the result of this journey. It’s a story that began as an experiment for those who have been around these parts long enough and who might remember—weekly Facebook posts where I tested out the idea with readers. The premise captured imaginations (and my own), so much so that I knew it had to be fully reimagined and written as a complete, original thriller. Now nearing completion, this book represents not just the story within its pages but my own process of adapting and finding joy in the creative challenges of this new season.
The story follows John Evans, a man whose quiet, rule-abiding life is upended by a banking error that deposits millions of pounds into his account—money belonging to one of the country’s most dangerous crime bosses. What begins as a stroke of luck turns into a nightmare as John is thrust into a deadly game of survival, betrayal, and high-stakes deception.
It’s a thriller packed with twists, tension, and moral questions, and I think fans of my work will find it every bit as gripping as my previous novels. Writing it has been a challenge, but also an incredibly satisfying experience, one that I’ve come to enjoy even more by weaving it into the daily rhythm of my teaching life.
I’m also thrilled to share two potential cover designs for The Balance—and I need your help! Which cover do you think fits the story best? Scroll down to see the options and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, thank you for your support and for coming with me on this journey. Writing novels may no longer be my full-time role, but with your encouragement, it remains a passion I’ll never let go of.
Here’s to finding balance—in life, and in the pages of The Balance!
