“It may not be the outcome you want, but you have to see it done.”
Paul Hlabse
Author of Violent Disturbance
What happens when a dream sits unfinished for nearly two decades? For author Paul Hlabse, returning to an abandoned manuscript became a powerful lesson in resilience, fatherhood, faith and the courage to finish what he started.
Episode Summary
Some dreams don't disappear. They simply wait for us to find our way back to them.
In this episode of The Audacious Living Podcast, Audley Stephenson welcomes Paul Hlabse, debut author of the psychological thriller Violent Disturbance, for an honest conversation about perseverance, personal loss, creative ambition and the journey to becoming a published author.
Paul began writing his novel approximately 20 years ago, only to put it aside for 18 years. When his daughter was born, he found a compelling reason to return to the manuscript. He wanted to demonstrate something important: finishing what you start matters, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Their conversation explores how Paul's experiences with grief, including losing his brother to cancer, shaped the emotional depth of his fiction. Through characters confronting loss, revenge, morality and consequences, Paul invites readers to consider how the choices we make can affect everyone around us.
Audley and Paul also compare their experiences as first-time authors, discussing the vulnerability of publishing, the challenge of marketing, the reality of self-doubt and the satisfaction of finally holding a completed book.
Perhaps most importantly, they explore why action matters more than waiting for perfect circumstances.
Whether you're pursuing a creative dream, rebuilding after a setback or wondering if it's too late to begin again, this conversation offers a meaningful reminder that unfinished doesn't have to mean impossible.
Listen in and discover what becomes possible when you decide to keep going.
Key Takeaways
Finishing matters more than perfect timing. Paul returned to his manuscript after 18 years, showing that a long interruption doesn't have to be the end of a meaningful goal.
Life experience can deepen your purpose. Personal loss, fatherhood and faith changed how Paul understood his story and the characters he created.
Every decision carries consequences. Through Violent Disturbance, Paul explores how grief, anger and the desire for revenge can lead people toward choices they never expected to make.
Courage requires action, not certainty. Publishing meant accepting criticism, uncertainty and vulnerability. Paul moved forward without knowing how readers would respond.
Meet the Guest
Paul Hlabse is an Ohio-based author whose debut psychological thriller, Violent Disturbance, explores grief, justice, revenge, faith and the consequences of unresolved pain.
Before publishing his first novel, Paul spent approximately 25 years working in manufacturing and process improvement. He holds an MBA and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, bringing an understanding of human behaviour, decision-making and accountability to his fiction.
His writing journey began roughly two decades before his debut publication. After an 18-year break, Paul returned to his manuscript with renewed purpose, inspired in part by becoming a father and wanting to demonstrate the importance of following through.
His novel follows Joseph Rainz, a teenager whose mother's death sets in motion a series of decisions that affect an entire community.
Paul's storytelling challenges readers to consider the complicated space between right and wrong, where people sometimes justify harmful actions because they believe their motives are good.
Beyond his debut, Paul continues to develop new fiction, building on his passion for emotionally compelling stories that leave readers thinking long after the final page.
Special Offer
Violent Disturbance by Paul Hlabse
Explore Paul's debut psychological thriller, a story of loss, revenge, faith and the far-reaching consequences of difficult choices. Signed and numbered paperback copies are available through his official author website, with additional purchasing options listed there.
Audley's Personal Insight
One of the things I really connected with in Paul's story was the idea that sometimes you need to walk away from something before you can come back and finish it.
I experienced something similar with my own book, Living Your Best Audacious Life Ever. I had stories I wanted to tell, but I hadn't yet found the connection that would bring them together. It wasn't until I started this podcast and began exploring audacity that everything started making sense.
What I appreciate about Paul's journey is that he didn't allow the time that had passed to determine what was still possible.
And that's something I believe wholeheartedly. We all have the capacity to do remarkable things, but recognizing that potential is only part of the equation. At some point, you've got to take action.
Because the dream doesn't become real simply because we believe in it. We've got to do something about it.
Best Point of Contact
Paul Hlabse | Official Author Website
Paul's official website is the best place to explore his writing, learn more about Violent Disturbance, discover author updates and connect with him directly.
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Is there a goal, project or dream you've been putting off that you still believe is worth pursuing?
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Your perspective might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
