As I've now progressed into my forties, I have realised that simply living to pay off debts is no longer a sole option.During the past three years, the process of writing my first novel has enabled me to take stock of what I really want to do right now. Since I went to primary school I have displayed an enthusiasm for creative writing and as my two degrees clearly show I conversely have a high aptitude for academic writing. As I am now at an age where desk jobs simply to pay the mortgage no longer have the same kind of pull, I have reached a decision. I would very much like to get my work published and I definitely feel that the best way to go about this is to develop further from the networking approach I have been pursuing. By using my Facebook account to post extracts from my novel and declare an interest in projects started by other friends, over the past year I have began a growing portfolio of published work. In addition to which, as part of a network of friends, feedback regarding my work has been forthcoming and very constructive. The encouragement received via this approach has been most helpful in informing my decision to set up a LinkedIn profile. Thus I am positive as to how far I can go here. Passions: classic films - mainly from the 1940s to the 1960s; jazz, blues and soul music; the writing of Ernest Hemingway, Ralph Ellison, Raymond Chandler and W.H. Auden; cricket and grand tour cycling. I've got confidence in my ability to think independently and write in such a way to affirm it. Email: hollisbrown_78@hotmail.com.