I love to talk about how I have used my day job as fodder for my fiction.
I mean, you have to admit—most of us have So. Many. Possibilities. when it comes to character, drama or heck, even murder plots when we look at the people we work with or have worked with (and if that’s not you, you’re a unicorn!.
In all seriousness—people are fascinating and there are really stories everywhere. And I just worked in financial services! So I have always been a little envious of people who have really cool jobs who then take those learnings and turn them into fiction. And today’s guest, Brad Elder, has done just that.
After nearly two decades as a lawyer and a business owner, he found himself unexpectedly turning to creativity during a difficult time. He started out painting, but then soon turned to writing. And then before he knew it, he was channeling his professional expertise into a brand new thriller series. So in this conversation, Brad shares how he went from I could never do this to finishing his debut novel, Recoil of Justice, and all about his writing and publishing journey.
We talk about:
- How painting through a stressful season opened the door to writing
- Why you don’t have to choose between plotter or pantser—it’s a spectrum
- The way his legal background adds realism without overwhelming readers
- The pros and cons of self-publishing and what he’s learned so far
- How secondary characters and even fleeting real-life moments add depth to a story
If you’re hating on your day job right now, you need to listen to this episode. We’re going to turn that dread into a mindset of, What a wealth of creativity is at my fingertips at this job!
🔗 Connect with Brad at bradeldernovels.com for updates, sneak peeks, and release news.
Follow me on IG @Liz Mugavero, and if today’s episode resonated, leave a quick rating or share it with your writing group—every star helps another writer find the show.