Last week Microsoft and I parted ways for the second time. I won’t bore you with the details–Vanity Fair’s done a great job explaining why. I just don’t fit in anymore. Que sera sera. What I’m excited about is what comes next.

Last time my gap year started with a dream—a nightmare really—about a fire. An after work garden party consumed by heat and smoke and lava. Everyone escaped but me.

Last night, right on schedule, another nightmare. This time the world ended during a business trip. Trapped in a mall, my natural habitat, the world spun and fire broke out and I was pelted with pebbles and debris. And then the impact.

Two dreams, two gap years. With a few important differences:

• I was still trying to decide whether to quit when I had the fire dream. I couldn’t have asked for  a clearer sign— eaten alive by my loyalty to the firm. But this dream came after leaving the company—it merely confirmed my decision. I’m on the right path.
• I awoke from the first dream sweaty, clammy, disoriented, short of breath. In a panic. This time I was eerily calm—I’d left all my emotions in the dream. I just knew I needed to use this material in my book, and started taking notes.
• I was all alone in the first dream. I mean I was with people, but when it came time to fight for my life I was abandoned. I had been so focused on saving others, I didn’t notice no one was saving me. This time I had company—an old woman was with me as the world spun and fell upon me, providing guidance and a sense of peace. My book concept hinges on the end of the world and my great-grandmother as spirit guide. It’s like she’s already guiding me. My subconscious is clearly on board.

I’m not going to kid myself—I don’t think I’m going to finish a great book in one year. Or probably even two years. Maybe never.  But I am committed to giving myself the space to explore this option, and the resources to grow my skills. I gave myself 20 years to learn the craft of marketing. I can spend a year or three on the art of storytelling.

People have asked where they can track my year—this blog is the place. It’s been somewhat random so far, both the content and the posting frequency, but for the next year I’ll try and post regular updates and keep you all up to date on my scribblings and wanderings. Set up email updates or subscribe to the RSS feed to stay informed!