February 2026 marked the completion of the first draft of my second book, Professional Collaboration Matters, a sequel to Professionalism Matters, published back in 2023. I cannot believe that I have written ‘the end’ for the second time. The material is by no means perfect, but over the coming months, I’ll be collaborating with editors, proof-readers, and publishers to bring this manuscript to life as a book.

I didn’t originally plan to write two books, but once I started writing, my mind kept generating new ideas. Having begun a literary conversation with Professional Matters, I felt compelled to keep it going, largely because there was so much more left to be said. Furthermore, having bumbled my way through writing the first, I thought it was only fair to have another go, applying what I had learned in the hope of refining my skills, just to be sure success was down to talent, not luck.

As I begin exploring ideas for a third book, I feel that the decision to keep writing isn’t so much a conscious choice as a quiet, inescapable pull towards another book, for reasons I’ll explain below.

Professional development is a topic that refuses to shrink

Having spent the best part of my academic career researching concepts of professionalism and exploring its impact on training, personal development, client satisfaction and outcomes, I thought I knew all there was to know about the subject, but clearly, I was wrong.

Professionalism Matters aimed to blend my academic insights with the real-life experiences of business owners. While interviewing such individuals about building strong client relationships, enhancing credibility, and establishing a positive reputation through professional practice, it became clear I was only scratching the surface. Conversations revealed that building and maintaining strong relationships with collaborative partners were just as important, but required a different set of skills, attitudes, and values. Professionalism remained central, but it appeared and felt different in the context of sustaining shared endeavours and securing long-term collaboration partnerships.

It was a fresh angle, a different theme that invited new questions and a deeper exploration of experiences. Since more detail and more examples would be necessary, the subject of professional collaboration seemed deserving of its own book. Those I interviewed, unknowingly, were already shaping my second book and guiding me towards putting pen to paper.

This wasn’t quite what I expected. I had hoped that after finishing the first book, I could finally sit back and relax, but it turned out to be the opposite. Suddenly, I found myself holding others’ thoughts and perspectives that would probably never come to light unless I articulated them, things I hadn’t even realised needed sharing until that moment. My interviewees were setting me off on a different intellectual journey, giving me a new purpose, so I couldn’t stop the bus even if I wanted to. 

Writing develops you into a writer

Nothing prepares you for writing a book more than writing a book. The more you write, the more writing a book becomes less of a project and more of a way of life. My first book was really a warm-up act, a kind of apprenticeship, in which I learnt to write. More than this, I was able to recognise my habits, strengths and weaknesses, discover my creativity, find my voice, make mistakes, practice, and improve my skills. Between the first and the last words, a different writer emerged, who knew how to sustain momentum to create a book worth reading.

The act of writing changed me. By the end of book number one, I was no longer a novice. I had become more efficient and disciplined, confident that, by writing again, I would start from a place where I could refine processes, deepen my understanding, shape my voice, and sharpen my skills to craft a much stronger book.

Writing has become part of my identity

Writing becomes a way of thinking, and thinking naturally leads to writing. Writing for three hours each day is more than just a task; it’s now a fundamental part of my life. Writing has become a habit, and one that I’ve come to realise I love, mainly because writing expands my perspectives, skills, and ambitions, enriching the overall experience. It is a practice that fulfils me, reinforces my belief that my voice matters, and moves me closer to becoming the accomplished author I aspire to be.

Essentially, my first book was an exciting intellectual adventure that led to a second one built on ideas and lessons from the first, yet it is my growing confidence as a writer that motivates me to pursue a third.

The mix of experience, learning, and confidence has changed how I see myself

I am no longer just someone who writes, but a writer. I’ve learned to trust my ideas and voice, which gives me the confidence to pursue a new creative challenge that adopts a very distinctive approach, which until now didn’t feel possible.

In my earlier work, interviewing people made perfect sense; I was using their thoughts, ideas and examples of practice to strengthen my own point of view. The time is right to try something different, and instead of collecting others’ voices, I’m going to reclaim my own. For my third book, I will return to my core expertise: vocational education and training. As an educator, I am already sitting on work that deserves a second life and a coherent narrative. So, with a working title of ‘Train better, spend less’, it will be a book that draws on decades of personal knowledge and experience to help businesses maximise opportunities for staff development, even when budgets are tight.

Early days yet, and ideas are still embryonic; nonetheless, I’m going to take the brave step of making this a living project by adopting a blog-to-book approach. If there is one thing I wholeheartedly appreciated about my first two books, it was sharing the journey with others. My interviewees certainly kept me accountable and connected, offering encouragement and valuable feedback along the way. Not wanting to lose all that keeps the momentum going, I’m turning book number three into a shared journey through regular blog posts so everyone can follow my progress, comment, and apply what I am sharing without waiting until the end of the book. 

My books are not just ideas and words; they are a journey of personal growth and discovery

A blog-to-book approach seems like a perfect way to share my progress and creativity, whilst changing practices and inspiring others. If you have ever felt the urge to share your story or feel you have a book in you, that’s just waiting to be written, then I encourage you to follow my lead. If you’re looking for further guidance and motivation, then do check out my blog “Thinking of writing a book? Here are 5 top tips to get you started.”

Regardless of your interest in professional development or writing, stay tuned for updates on my new writing adventure and the publication of my second book, Professional Collaboration Matters (out soon!) If you haven’t yet checked out Professionalism Matters, click here and find out more.

Here’s hoping as my journey continues, yours begins.

As always, your thoughts and comments on anything I write are most welcome, so please do contact me.