The Work Of Fiction

a series of articles on what novelists, filmmakers and songwriters (and others) say that we might learn from in our careers and working lives.

What is The Work Of Fiction?

Much of the work in career coaching and guidance treats life as a direction going forward, even if non-linear, wiggly, up-and-down, or squiggly.

As someone who often has voices in my head narrating life as it goes, I wanted to ask what happens if you stop and look at it differently - the way a good novel looks at a life, a story you're inside, rather than a plan you're executing. Indeed, many career development theories consider a narrative approach, which I'd like to both broaden and riff on somewhat. That's where The Work Of Fiction comes in - a 'series' of articles, where I'll discuss fiction (novels, films, games, songs... whatever takes my fancy) alongside the career theories they have some parallels with, and try and bring some of my own insights from experience as a career coach and educator. In the words of Paul McCartney in his Wings era, 'with a little luck' they'll be interesting, weekly 'musing nuggets' for anyone to browse. Written for you if you're anyone curious who might like to think around their career and working life differently, tired of a LinkedIn 'high performance' / unedited, auto-generated update.

Season 1

To kick things off 'Series 1' will focus on some of the work of the American author Kurt Vonnegut. Not content with picking something straight down the middle, the work of Vonnegut is something that's stuck with me from my early career, his wit and observation something to be admired in a writing style. He also doesn't seem as well-known as many other authors of his era, so it felt like a good chance to introduce his work to even one more person. Plus, it gives me a reason to re-read some of his work, which is a massive bonus. I'll initially write six pieces, which started with the first instalment on Sunday 2nd August 2026, on what his novels understood (amongst other things) about belonging, agency, and identity and frame this to the idea of an ongoing working life.

I intend to keep writing (for free) via the Substack link below as well as cross-posting on the Future, Referenced website, and move later series to other fictional areas and to the thematic threads that run across all of them.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORK OF FICTION SUBSTACK

Articles to date

The Work Of Fiction #A: Karass and Careers by Barnaby Mollett

A delve inside a cat's cradle and a collection of concepts that lend nicely to career thinking.

Read on Substack

The Work Of Fiction #B: The Potato Barn by Barnaby Mollett

Understanding what's hidden in your career story, with the help of a massive, locked farm outbuilding.