Are you passionate about your writing? Is it something you have dreamed of doing full time all your adult life? What would you give to be able to jack in the day job and write for a living? If it is, then you need curiosity instead of passion.

As a young person I lacked the discipline to take my time and write 80,000 words. But my writing passion has found its second wind and I have structured my life in such a way that I write every day. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child, but like so many others I got sidetracked by life!

Work, socialising, travel, children. They all distracted me for more than a couple of decades. I’ve now come back to writing in a big way. Not only do I have the maturity to sit still for long enough to write a chapter, but I now have something to write about!

Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favourite writers, on writing. Like so many others I found Big Magic to be utterly inspirational. In it she talks about how she found the source of her fiction novel, The Signature Of All Things.

For Gilbert, passion is all-consuming but ultimately wears away. Curiosity, however, just keeps on growing and can lead you in paths you never envisioned.

You might start off wanting to write a short story, but curiosity will compel you to find out if you can write a novella.

You write the novella then you want the challenge of writing a full length novel.

Perhaps you’re curious about Chinese concubines. You do some historical research and that leads to your next novel. You’re curious about how a young widow might rebuild her life, you write about that to find out.

Don’t feel that because you’ve done the same job for the last ten years, that’s where you belong. If you’re curious about learning a new skill, go for it. You have nothing to lose.

A friend talked to me about a book by Robert Kiyosaki and it sounded interesting. She was so enthusiastic that she got me curious.

Curiosity made me buy it and read it. Curiosity made me investigate how people follow their instincts to become a dancer, a public speaker, a personal trainer or even a property investor. Curious, I wondered if could I do that? I did, and I could!

Despite a lifelong passion to see my book published by Penguin and on the shelves of the Penguin bookshop, Penguin became Penguin Random House and their bookshops closed. Things change and evolve.

Curiosity also led me towards independent publishing. Having had the dream for so long to see my books displayed beautifully in a bookshop, I was dismissive of self-publishing. But when I came across Joanna Penn’s The Creative Penn and her belief in independent publishing, curiosity propelled me to find out more. Then a little bit more, and then some more until the idea evolved that I would like to try this.

I like being my own boss, so why can’t I be my own boss with my own books? Obviously I’m at the beginning of this journey, but I’m curious (and excited) to see where it will take me.

Another belief belonging to Elizabeth Gilbert is the concept of ‘living’ ideas, which fly around the universe looking for a suitable host.

Once they’ve found the right host, ideas stick around and grow and flourish. However, if the host ignores the idea, the idea will move on. Gilbert describes it as a scavenger hunt for ideas that when put together form a creation.

It may be a fanciful notion, but it’s a beautiful one and we all need a little bit of magic in our lives.

What are you curious about? And does that curiosity keep you going even when your passion for your latest book hits a slump? It’s certainly an interesting idea.

Writing is a journey that often begins with passion but is sustained by curiosity and creativity. It’s easy to get sidetracked by life’s demands, but the good news is that it’s never too late to reignite your writing dreams.

Whether you’re just starting out or returning to writing after a long hiatus, remember that curiosity can be your greatest ally. It’s what will keep you exploring new ideas, pushing your boundaries, and discovering stories you never knew you had within you.

As you move forward on your writing journey, don’t be afraid to follow where your curiosity leads. Whether it’s diving into historical research, experimenting with different genres, or exploring the world of independent publishing, each step fueled by curiosity brings you closer to your goal of becoming a full-time writer.

And when passion wanes, as it sometimes does, let curiosity be the spark that keeps you going. After all, writing isn’t just about getting words on the page—it’s about the adventure of discovery, the thrill of creation, and the joy of bringing your unique voice to life. Embrace the magic of living ideas, and who knows where your writing journey will take you next?

If you’re ready to take the next step, don’t forget to sign up for my mini-course, 3 Easy Steps to writing your novel. Let’s embark on this creative journey together, guided by curiosity and supported by the discipline to make your writing dreams a reality.