Every so often, you meet someone who unexpectedly shifts your perspective, prompting you to rethink your life goals and how to pursue them. For me, that person was Bryan Chick, the author of The Secret Zoo series. My children and I had enjoyed his books for years, but I never imagined I’d meet him—and certainly not at my husband’s 35th high school reunion.
Over the last four years, I’ve been juggling multiple roles: educator, mother, grandmother, and author. Like so many of us, I’ve been wearing different hats, squeezing in writing after long workdays, and promoting my children’s books in between lesson planning and family commitments. The idea of being a full-time writer has always felt distant, a “someday” dream that I wasn’t sure how to reach.
But Bryan’s advice made me realize that it might not be as far away as I’d thought. As we sat down to talk, he asked me about my writing goals. When I mentioned my dream of focusing entirely on writing, marketing, and connecting with readers, he gave me a piece of advice that stopped me in my tracks: “Quit your job.” And it didn’t stop there—he even turned to my husband and said, “I just told your wife to quit her job and focus on her writing.”
At first, I thought, Is he serious? Quit my job? The steady income, the security, the routine I’ve known for years—all of that would be hard to let go. Plus, we’re helping our son through grad school. But as Bryan explained, it started to make sense. I’m dividing my time between so many roles that none of them, especially writing, is getting my full attention. If I truly want to reach my goals as a writer, I need to dedicate my time and energy wholeheartedly. Half-hearted efforts would only lead to half-hearted results.
Bryan had made that leap, and now here he was—an accomplished author, living his passion every day.
Writing isn’t just about putting words on a page. It’s about everything else that comes with it: marketing, attending events, meeting readers, and nurturing the creative process. It’s a lifestyle that requires total commitment and passion. Bryan reminded me that if I want to reach more readers, grow my brand, and keep bringing characters like Annie the Porcupine to life, I need to be all in.
Of course, leaving the security of a job is terrifying. The fear of the unknown is real, especially when you’ve built so much of your identity around your work. But hearing Bryan’s story, seeing how he found success by fully committing to his passion, showed me what’s possible when you pursue your dreams with everything you have.
I haven’t made the leap yet, but I’m seriously considering it. Maybe not this school year—we do have a son in grad school, after all—but the conversation has begun. My husband, Chris, and I are discussing what the next steps might look like. Meeting Bryan was a wake-up call, pushing me to reevaluate how much energy I’m truly dedicating to my writing career. He didn’t just encourage me to dream bigger—he challenged me to think about what it would take to make those dreams a reality.
My ultimate goal is to give 100% to my writing. I want to spend more time marketing my books, meeting readers, and honing my craft. Bryan’s advice has brought me closer to that goal, and now I’m figuring out the steps to get there, one brave decision at a time.
Meeting Bryan Chick wasn’t just a memorable encounter—it was a turning point. His bold advice reminded me that achieving our dreams often requires taking risks and letting go of what feels comfortable. As I continue my writing journey, his words will serve as a guiding light, reminding me to put my passion for storytelling at the forefront.
Maybe one day soon, I’ll take his advice. Maybe one day, I’ll be 100% all in!
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