E215 - Alex Holland - Carving Out Time to Write a Colourful Six Novel Series

EPISODE 215 - Alex Holland - Carving Out Time to Write a Colourful Six Novel SeriesMy name is Alex - I have been a lover of sci-fi and fantasy all my life. I was raised on Tolkien, Final Fantasy 7, Monty Python and mountains of movies, books & video games. I've always loved stories and the telling of them, how they can move and shape us. As I got older I fell in love with psychology and the writing of stories, like the heroes journey framework from Joseph Campbell. After many, many years of consuming, I finally managed to pull myself away from the shiny internet and make something that combined everything into The Prism HexologyIn this episode, author Alex Holland shares how he is intentionally carving out time to bring an ambitious six-book fantasy series to life while balancing family, creativity, and discipline. Writing at 4 a.m. before his young children wake up, Alex highlights a core idea that drives his progress: if the desire is strong enough, the hour does not matter. He reframes productivity through the lens of purpose, encouraging creators to identify their “one thing” and prioritize it daily.A major focus of the conversation is the difference between lag and lead metrics. Alex explains that outcomes like a finished book are lag measures, while daily actions such as word count are lead measures. By breaking a 100,000-word novel into a manageable daily target, he removes overwhelm and builds consistency. This approach, combined with the concept of “tiny habits,” allows large creative goals to become achievable through small, repeatable actions.Alex also reflects on the mindset shift required to move from consumer to creator. After years of sitting on an idea that began when he was fifteen, he realized he needed to let go of old habits, ego, and limiting beliefs. Embracing a beginner’s mindset opened the door to learning structure, storytelling, and craft. He emphasizes that creativity often flows when you act as a conduit, showing up consistently and allowing ideas to develop rather than forcing perfection.The episode dives into the rich world of his series, built around color-based realms, philosophical themes, and human behavior. From a “prism” structure spanning six books to deeper explorations of identity, conflict, and balance, Alex blends imagination with intentional design. He also discusses modern tools like AI art, audiobooks, and multi-platform storytelling to expand how audiences experience his work.Underlying everything is a strong belief in personal responsibility and internal narrative. Alex challenges the stories people tell themselves about why they cannot succeed, urging listeners to question those beliefs and replace them with empowering ones. Visualization, daily focus, and emotional connection to a goal all play a role in sustaining long-term creative momentum.Key takeaway: Big creative goals are achieved through small, consistent daily actions driven by a clear vision and a strong “why.” Focus on what you can do today, and let the results take care of themselves.https://www.theprismhexology.com/___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca