Chris Holm
Before I became a writer, I was on another path entirely, working toward a PhD in infectious disease research. It was interesting enough, I guess, but I was unfulfilled. Science wasn’t so much my passion as it was something I fell into. Early aptitude led to advanced placement, which in turn led me to an easy choice of college majors, and the next thing I knew, I was in grad school. The truth is, I was sleepwalking, doing what was expected of me because I was too afraid to admit what I really wanted. Ultimately, I decided I couldn’t allow the arc of my life to be determined by a test I took in fourth grade. Like a lot of folks, I always said I’d one day write a novel. Eventually, I got sick of waiting for that day to come. I dropped out of grad school, got a job, and started writing. Aside of marrying my wife—who, it should be noted, was supportive and/or crazy enough to encourage me to embark upon this journey—it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Through writing, I found not only my voice, but also a tribe of wonderful, like-minded people whose friendship means more to me than I can say.