I spent the last month doing research in Beirut and Istanbul for my first novel. The end of January marked my last month working in the advertising business while I focus on crafting the story. Excited, nervous, and revelling in the near-vertical learning curve while settling back into Sydney suburbia for a couple of months.
Key Projects:
Novel One: I’m at the final stages of discovering the ins and outs of my characters, and will be writing the first words of the manuscript by the end of the month. I’ve spent several months researching corruption, culture, politics, and history to put together a story that’s been brewing for years. This month I begin committing all my energy to the book.
Instagram: I continue to share images and stories that capture my learnings and conversations with the incredible people I’ve met around the world. Incredibly grateful to have close to 10,000 people from around the world enjoying these stories. A year ago I had fewer than 500 people interested in my posts.
New blog post: ‘The Status Quo’ is a reflection on my professional, personal, and creative development. Aims to get readers to defining and shattering their own status quo. Check out the abundance of resources that helped me over the years at the end of the article.
What I’m Reading:
The Panama Papers by Bastian Obermayer and Frederik Obermaier
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Things I’m Watching:
A short documentary following Beyonce’s creative process during the making of one of her many tours. Her work ethic is unmatched and inspires me deeply.
Madam Secretary Season 3 – massive fan of Tea Leoni and the show. I love everything about her character including her leadership style, compassion, incredible communication skills.
Chef’s Table Season 3 – my favourite documentary series is back for another season. I love learning about the philosophies, work styles, and inspirations of these supremely gifted chefs and restauranteurs around the world.
When I’m not working, I’m exploring the cities I live and travel in through its food, streets, and people. I’m reading and trying to balance non-fiction with fiction. I’m making wonderful new friends from all sorts of backgrounds all over the world. And I’m trying to become a more mindful, conscious, compassionate human being.
This page was updated on February 18, 2017.
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