Publishing a Thriller at 67: Why It's Never Too Late to Start - Buddy Howard

Do you have a dream you’ve been sitting on for years, but you secretly feel like you’ve "aged out" or it’s simply too late to start? Buddy Howard spent decades as a high-stakes Mergers & Acquisitions executive and financial expert witness. But at age 67, he decided to completely start over as a novice and publish his debut legal thriller, The Burden of Evidence. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of shattering self-imposed limitations. Buddy opens up about the grueling 8-year grind it took to write his novel, why waiting for "perfection" is the fastest way to kill your dreams, and how getting laid off in 1989 forced him to build a business that has lasted 36 years. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:* The 8-Year Grind: How Buddy overcame the need for "perfection" to finally finish his debut novel.* The Power of Accountability: How a random dinner conversation and a strict "July 4th Deadline" pushed him across the finish line.* Starting at the bottom of a new mountain and checking your ego at age 67.* Self-Publishing vs. Traditional: Why Buddy refused to surrender creative control to the gatekeepers.* The 1989 Layoff: How being "downsized" became the greatest blessing of his career.* Why everyone (even if you aren't an author) needs to focus on leaving a legacy that outlasts their life.* Buddy's definition of true success: Creating characters that live in the minds of his readers.This episode is for aspiring writers, professionals dealing with a sudden layoff, or anyone who needs to be reminded that their second act can be their best act.Connect With Buddy Howard:* Website: https://www.buddyhoward.com/* Book: The Burden of Evidence (Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible)Chapters:00:00 Hook: The Layoff That Changed Everything00:56 Introduction: Buddy Howard & The Burden of Evidence01:44 The 8-Year Writing Grind & Overcoming Perfectionism03:52 The Power of Accountability: The July 4th Deadline05:35 Starting Over as a Novice at Age 6707:37 Breaking Through Self-Imposed Limitations & Daily Writing Goals09:31 Why He Chose Self-Publishing Over a Traditional Deal11:40 The 1989 Layoff: Turning a Setback into a 36-Year Business13:58 The Importance of Leaving a Legacy15:18 Buddy's Definition of True Success16:46 How to Connect and Get the Book