The Evolution: Failing, Learning, and Finding the Rhythm
Why the projects are shifting, and where the road actually leads
It's A Longer Process Than I Thought. But It's Changing In Interesting Ways
If you’ve been following the blog (or just asking me “So, what are you actually doing?”), You might have noticed the projects shifting.
That’s not an accident; it’s an evolution.
When I left my job, I had a lot of ideas that I thought were separate side hustles.
But as I’ve worked through them, I realized they are actually just different departments of the same idea. They are stepping stones to the real work.
The Web Design Pivot
This site started as an affiliate marketing idea. I thought it would be a smart, passive income stream. But to be honest, it felt like a hollow hustle. It drained my mental capacity trying to “sell” rather than “share.”
But in the process of building it, I realized I actually loved the design aspect. So, the site has evolved. It’s no longer a marketing scheme; it’s a living journal of my new career path. People may not “get” the pivot, but this platform is for me now. It’s the documentation of the journey.
The Miniatures: From Painting to Architecture
Originally, the plan was to paint miniatures for content. Turns out, high-level painting is incredibly time-consuming, and honestly, too hard on my hands lol… So I put the brush down (for now, at least). It was a bottleneck.
But the files? That’s where the spark is. I realized I could use Blender—software I need to master for Game Dev anyway—to create my own STL files. The 3D printers at the library are no longer just for making toys; they are my Quality Control department. I’m using them to prototype my designs before I release them on public sharing sites. It’s a skill-builder that pays double: I learn the software for the game, and I build a passive income catalog on the side.
The Novellas (The Narrative Engine)
I tried the audiobook route with ElevenLabs.
I submitted a script, got denied, and immediately realized I was fighting the wrong battle. But pivoting that same script to a Kindle Novella? Surprisingly natural.
These stories aren’t just for cash; they are practice. Narrative is a huge chunk of game development. By writing these novellas (and I have about 10 drafts from my time at MacDon ready to go), I am playtesting the lore and universe for my future game franchise before I ever write a line of code.
The "Board Game" Side Quest
All these test prints need a home. Inspired by “Gridfinity” modular dungeons, I decided to create a homebrew board game using my test pieces. This isn’t a product to sell or patent. It’s just… fun. It’s a creative outlet, and hopefully, something I can play with my dad or a partner one day. It keeps the “play” in the process so I don’t burn out on the “work.”
The Reality
This process is taking longer than I made it seem to my friends and family. I can feel the support waning a bit as the timeline stretches out. It’s hard to explain that you’re working when there’s no paystub on Friday.
But that’s the nature of building something real versus just working a job. The “Franchise Skeleton” is built. The skills are sharpening. The road is long, but for the first time, I know I’m walking on the right pavement.