Ian Cahill shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Ian, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am definitely wandering. I often have an image in my mind about where I want to end up, but just like writing, sometimes I find myself experimenting with how to get there. I definitely think it makes you stronger and more well-rounded, even if you end up trying a lot of different things that don’t stick or seem to make a difference in your goals. Even failing at something is a good education you can apply further down the road.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ian Cahill. I am an author and innovation specialist. I write at night and by day work as a Director of Technology and Innovation for VML. By constantly looking ahead to the future and the nature of emerging tech, I can connect the human experience to our current tech-heavy world. This allows me to build stories and create emotions that people can connect with.
I enjoy writing in multiple disciplines, whether that is a film script, a poem, a short story, or a novel. I have also spent time crafting blogs and reviews online.
I am a sucker for a good love story. My latest novel, Bounce House, explores two lost souls on a journey to just exist in their small town. One is afraid of losing the family business, while the other just wants the best for her young son.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As young as 12, I knew I wanted to be a writer, but outside of my academics, I was never shown just how that could be possible. The moment I knew I had it in me was when my first daughter was born. I had this ridiculous fear that I would lose my identity as a person and become simply a father. That fear pushed me to reach out to the wonderful writing community in Kansas City and find others that were trying to do what I was doing. It was in that moment I knew what I was capable of.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course. Imposter syndrome is a very real thing, and especially in the age of social media, if you don’t find success fast, you feel like a failure. My whole writing career has been a series of stops and starts, but at the end of the day, I know I do this not just for sales and accolades, but because I truly find joy in the art.
COVID isolation was a big moment for me in this context. It was very easy to step away from the business side or writing and just work on pet projects, never expecting to share them with anyone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that the only way to truly make it as a fiction author was to get picked up by a large publishing house and have a blurb in Entertainment Weekly.
Thankfully, I have been blessed to interact with many authors who find success as self-published writers or publish under boutique publishers. They still manage to get their work seen and find a solid readership.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
This is a trick question. If I retired today, I would pour my heart and soul into my fiction writing and use everything I have learned as a knowledge expert in technology as a driver for new and exciting stories!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iancahill.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iancahill/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iancahill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iancahill
- Other: https://www.threads.com/@iancahill
