I had a funny one on Monday last week—where off the back of a review—one chap asked for a bit of careers advice.

He's thoroughly fed up in his line of work, and despite it being pretty lucrative, wants to make a change.
​
It made me chuckle because my first thought was The Monkey State is a work of fiction!

My second thought was, 'Who am I to offer advice on careers?'

And yet, I did work for 3 years at Escape the City​.

A company built on the topic.

I've also had a handful of job pivots in my time.

Law, finance, gardening, drone piloting, among others.
​
But to be honest, I'm in great awe of the coaches of the world.
​
Those who have such confidence in their words. And their messages.

I've always clung to something I'd read and liked: Descriptions, not prescriptions.
​
Until it struck me that maybe that was an unhelpful belief. Assuming that what I said would be followed.
​
When actually all trust is self trust. Someone deciding to listen to what you say (and act on it) is still their choice.
​
I proceeded to offer a 4-minute voice note ramble. As I've become prone to do. Asking a few questions. Offering a book I thought might help > Purpose & Profit by Dan Koe. Ultimately, falling back on an impromptu discaimer—encouraging him to Trust his Toucan.
​
He promptly sent a grateful message back. And mentioned, "That book sounds [exactly] like the kind of inspiration I am searching for."
​
So, much to my surprise, I survived dispensing my first piece of 'advice' since releasing the book. Whether he'll actually get much from my verbal meanderings I don't know (there's a reason I like to write rather than talk). But I didn't sit on the fence.

This time at least.
​
It reminded me of a time during the editing process when Kathy said she had considered using the mental model, "What would Claude do?" (WWCD) for a difficult client.
​
Being an unconflicted & confident monkey—who stands up for what he believes in—is apparently quite appealing.
​
I certainly wish I had his bravery.
​
Then immediately we reach a fork in the road.
​
Because a couple of people have said to me they didn't really warm to Claude.
​
One even said, "He's not very nice, is he?" Another preferred the quasi-villain, Dubbert Grouse.
​
Obviously the Claude one stung a little because he's almost become my baby. Years of carrying him around on my Mac and in my head will do that to you.
​
But it reminded me of another lesson: That no product is for everyone.

And I was never writing for everyone.
​
Like Chris McCandless of Into the Wild fame.
​
Some thought him a hero.

Others that he was reckless and selfish.
​
And that's where it clicked in terms of coaching & advice.
​
Those skilled in the art have learnt to tailor their message to an audience.
​
To speak (and post on the internet or social media) on their topic with congruence.
​
Book 2, In Search Of Maya, will show a different side to Claude Talador. Along with his sister, Tia.

Once released into the wild, those characters belong to you, the Reader. I can't control what you'll make of them by the end.
​
Speaking of the end, I've just sent off the manuscript on Microsoft Word to Kathy, so will soon be progressing to the proofreading stage. I may be on the lookout for a couple of ARC readers very soon too.
​
For now, I need to write a blurb and synopsis so Mark can get cracking on the cover.
​
Given this novel has dual protagonists I'm not quite sure how that's going to go!
​
Very much still learning as I go.
​
Gotta go,
​
​— J. R. Roberts​
​
​P.S. Claude's Coaching Helpline won't be opening for business anytime soon but I am a sucker for a careers chat and certainly happy to steer you in the direction of your Toucan's flight if you happen to be feeling a tad stuck... Fire me a question if so. Who knows where you might end up 🌴🐒​
​