Chapter 39: Back in the Kitchen, Back at the Keyboard
It’s been a little while since I’ve sat down and written one of these, and honestly, that feels fitting.
Over the past few months, I’ve intentionally taken a step back from writing. Not because I didn’t love it anymore. Not because I ran out of stories. Quite the opposite, actually. After the release of An American’s Introduction to the Dukedom, I realized I needed a little time to breathe, refocus, and reground myself.
When you’ve spent years chasing a dream, you spend so much energy focused on the finish line that you don’t always know what to do when you finally cross it.
For years, my dream was simple: publish a novel. I wanted to hold a book with my name on the cover. I wanted to tell a story that lived outside my head. I wanted people to meet Andrew and Keir and fall in love with their journey the same way I had.
Then somehow, incredibly, unbelievably, it happened.
An American’s Introduction to the Dukedom was released into the world at the end of March.
And the response has been far more than I ever imagined.
I honestly don’t know if I have the words to properly express my gratitude. Every social media post, every message, every review, every recommendation to a friend has meant the world to me. There have been moments over the past few months where I’ve simply sat and stared at my phone in disbelief.
One day someone sends me a photo of the book in London. Another day someone shares a picture from Australia. Then Thailand. Then somewhere else halfway around the world.
It’s surreal.
There are days when I look at those photos and laugh because apparently my book has become a far more experienced traveler than I am. While I’ve been sitting in Florida, Dukedom has been out there collecting passport stamps and seeing the world.
But in all seriousness, every single photo has touched my heart.
As writers, we spend so much time alone with our stories. It’s just us, a keyboard, and a healthy amount of self-doubt. We wonder if anyone will connect with the characters. We wonder if the jokes will land. We wonder if readers will care as much as we do.
Then a message arrives.
Someone tells you they stayed up too late because they couldn’t put the book down. Someone tells you they laughed out loud at a particular scene. Someone tells you they cried. Someone tells you Andrew and Keir felt real.
Those are the moments that make every late night worth it.
So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you for buying the book.
Thank you for reading the book.
Thank you for sharing the book.
Thank you for believing in me.
You helped turn a lifelong dream into reality, and I will never stop being grateful for that.
After the excitement of the launch settled down, I found myself needing something I hadn’t given myself in a long time: permission to pause.
Not quit.
Not stop dreaming.
Just pause.
I spent time focusing on my health. I spent time with family and friends. I spent time enjoying life instead of constantly racing toward the next goal. I reminded myself that sometimes it’s okay to celebrate the mountain you’ve already climbed before immediately looking for the next one.
Looking back now, I think that break was exactly what I needed.
And during that time, something else happened.
I celebrated my 39th birthday.
Now, I know some of you are probably wondering how that’s possible because clearly I’m only twenty-five.
My knee would like to respectfully disagree.
But birthdays always make me reflective, and this one was no different.
As I looked back on my thirty-eighth year, I realized it was one of the most meaningful years of my life.
I took control of my health in ways I hadn’t before. I challenged myself physically and mentally. I learned a lot about discipline, balance, and giving myself grace when things didn’t go perfectly.
And perhaps most importantly, I accomplished something that younger Derek spent decades dreaming about.
I became a published author.
Not someone who wanted to write a book.
Not someone who talked about writing a book.
Not someone who had a manuscript hidden away on a hard drive.
A published author.
Even writing those words still feels strange.
But here’s the thing I’ve realized lately: Dukedom was never the finish line.
It was the starting line.
Because I still have so many stories I want to tell.
For those of you who have been paying very close attention, there may even be a clue hidden inside An American’s Introduction to the Dukedom about what comes next. I’m not saying anything else. I’m not confirming anything. I’m not denying anything. I’m simply saying that writers are sneaky people and sometimes we leave breadcrumbs where readers least expect them.
What I will tell you is this: I’ve already been hard at work on the next project.
The characters have completely taken over my brain.
They show up while I’m driving. They show up in the shower. They show up when I’m trying to fall asleep. They show up when I’m grocery shopping.
Honestly, they should start contributing to my mortgage payment at this point.
But that’s usually how I know a story is special.
When the characters refuse to leave me alone.
When scenes start playing in my head like movies.
When I find myself smiling because of something that hasn’t even been written yet.
That’s when I know I’m onto something.
And I truly cannot wait to share it with all of you.
Of course, writing isn’t the only thing that’s been pulling at my attention lately.
I’ve also been spending a lot more time back in the kitchen.
The Accidental Chef is officially back in action.
I’ve been creating recipes, filming content, testing ideas, and having an absolute blast doing it. Cooking has always been one of my favorite creative outlets because it’s so similar to writing. You start with a few ingredients, add a little imagination, take a chance on something new, and hope you create something that makes people happy.
The only difference is that when a recipe doesn’t work, you usually discover it much faster than when a chapter doesn’t work.
Trust me on that one.
One thing I’m especially excited about moving forward is giving my website more love. I’ll be posting more full recipes alongside my cooking reels so you’ll be able to recreate the dishes right at home. No more trying to pause a video seventeen times while holding a measuring cup and wondering if that was one teaspoon or one tablespoon.
We’ve all been there.
And because apparently I don’t know how to sit still, there have been even more exciting developments over the past few months.
Since the launch of Dukedom, I’ve also launched a t-shirt line.
I know.
Because apparently publishing a novel and creating cooking content wasn’t enough.
The shirts combine two of the things I love most: storytelling and food. They’re a little bit Dukedom, a little bit The Accidental Chef, and completely representative of the creative life I’m trying to build.
Through a partnership with a wonderful local business, that vision has become reality and has allowed me to officially launch The Accidental Brand Company.
Seeing those ideas come to life has been incredibly rewarding. It’s another reminder that dreams don’t always arrive exactly how we imagine them. Sometimes they evolve into something bigger, broader, and more exciting than we originally planned.
As I begin this thirty-ninth chapter of my life, I feel energized.
I feel creative.
I feel grateful.
Most importantly, I feel excited.
Excited to write.
Excited to cook.
Excited to create.
Excited to share more stories.
Excited to continue building this wonderful community that has formed around all of these passions and projects.
If Chapter 38 taught me anything, it’s that life has a funny way of surprising us when we keep showing up and doing the work.
One year ago, I was hoping people would read my book.
Today, I’m receiving photos of it from around the world.
One year ago, I was wondering what the future might look like.
Today, I have more ideas than I know what to do with.
One year ago, I was chasing a dream.
Today, I’m living it.
And the best part?
I truly believe the adventure is just getting started.
So thank you for being here.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for cheering me on.
Thank you for supporting every accidental idea that somehow turns into something real.
Whether you found me through a recipe, a social media post, a novel, or simple curiosity, I am grateful you’re here.
I’m back in the kitchen.
I’m back at the keyboard.
And I’m ready for whatever Chapter 39 has in store.
I love you all.
Derek