From Daydream to Debut

I’m a Published Author!

There was a time—not too long ago—when the idea of becoming a published author felt like nothing more than a daydream. A pleasant thought I would entertain with a smile… and then quickly dismiss. Maybe someday, I told myself.

Well, that someday is now.

I’m thrilled (and still a little stunned) to say I’m officially a published author. My first book is out in the world—not just a manuscript on my screen or a whisper in my imagination, but something real. It’s something readers can download, read, and—if I’ve done my job well—connect with.

This didn’t happen overnight. Like so many writers, I began with scraps of ideas, moments of inspiration, and characters who refused to stay silent. Sometimes the words flowed easily; other times, they trickled out. There were moments of doubt, long pauses, and even longer rewrites. But one idea—the story I had to tell—refused to let go.

Richard Bach once described how some ideas don’t just knock politely; they crash through the wall, grab hold of you, and whisper, “I will not let you go until you set me down in words, on paper.” That’s exactly how it felt. And once that idea had me, I had no choice but to follow through.

And now, here we are.

This is just the beginning. More stories are taking shape, and I’m more energized than ever to keep writing. The creative spark is no longer just a flicker—it’s a steady flame.

If you’d like to see the beginning of this journey, you can visit my Amazon Author page here:

👉 amazon.com/author/alan_wheeler

To those who’ve offered encouragement, listened to my rambles, or just believed I could do it—thank you. Your support means more than you know.

The dream is no longer just a dream. It’s real. And I’m just getting started.

A post I never imagined I would write, but here it is!

🎭 

The Fool’s Task

 — From Side Character to Center Stage

Some stories never quite leave you alone.

Years ago, I came across a BBC audio production of Tom Stoppard’s brilliant play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. The premise blew me away—two minor characters from Hamlet, suddenly given center stage. Their story, once a footnote, became the heart of a new tale. I was fascinated by the concept: What happens when you shine a light on someone who was always standing just off to the side?

That idea stuck with me.

A few years later, while reading King Lear and poring over commentaries, I came across a simple but powerful observation: the Fool—Lear’s jester and confidant—vanishes partway through the play with no explanation. One moment he’s there, offering biting wit and strange wisdom… and the next, he’s gone. No farewell. No conclusion.

That observation lit the same creative fire.

What if the Fool was the true guide through Lear’s unraveling? What if he wasn’t just a jester, but something more—something sent to help? What if he was the one carrying the story’s soul?

But for years, I did nothing with the idea. I didn’t trust my writing ability. The vision lingered quietly, tucked away like a half-remembered line from a play I was too nervous to audition for.

Fast forward to today.

AI has become an incredible creative tool, and with the help of ChatGPT, I finally told the story I had imagined so long ago. The result is The Fool’s Task, my first published work—a lyrical, emotionally-driven novella that reimagines King Lear through the eyes of the Fool.

And now, after years of waiting, wondering, and doubting… it’s real.

The Fool’s Task will be available on Amazon Kindle in just a few days. I can’t wait to share it with you.

Sometimes the side character has the most important story of all.

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🕊️ Stay tuned for the official release announcement.

#TheFoolsTask #DebutAuthor #KingLear #ShakespeareInspired #LiteraryFantasy #IndiePublishing