Writing Without a Map

Van Pelt, a self-described former “pivot table master,” began her career far from the literary world. With degrees in economics and philosophy, she was working a job she didn’t love when she stumbled into what she later called her “octopi rabbit hole.” Thanks to curiosity and YouTube, she became fascinated by the octopus —their complex intelligence, behaviors, and personalities. That interest would eventually shape the emotional heart of her novel. But at the time, she wasn’t chasing a book idea. She was simply letting curiosity lead.

She didn’t come to writing through a Masters in Fine Arts writing program or a publishing pedigree. She enrolled in a six-week, $150 community writing class and wrote a short paragraph about a snarky octopus. Her instructor offered feedback: “I enjoyed it—I’d read more. Keep writing.”

Those few sentences changed everything.

She shared how that tiny bit of encouragement rerouted her creative path. It gave her permission to explore the idea further. That moment is a powerful reminder: you never know how your words might shift someone else’s story. A little kindness, a little encouragement, can ripple outward in remarkable ways.

The Theme of Stuckness

Van Pelt spoke candidly about one of the central themes of Remarkably Bright Creatures: stuckness. Her characters—especially Tova—live within routines that no longer serve them. Life becomes predictable. Safe. But also stifling.

She connected this to real life—how people often stay in motion simply to feel like they’re moving, even when they’re not really going anywhere. Or they settle into patterns because it’s easier than confronting change. Stuckness, as she described it, isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet. Familiar. Invisible.

But stuckness can also be a signal—an invitation to look inward and ask: What is no longer serving you?

From Searching to Crafting

The author wrote lots of scenes but didn’t know how to shape them into a story. So, she Googled how to write a book. Eventually, she stopped searching for the perfect method and just began writing. Over the years, she wrote more than 250,000 words. Through drafts, deletions, and revisions, those words were paired down to the 98,000 that now make up her novel.

She didn’t start with a clear story idea or structure. She started with a voice, some scenes, and the willingness to see where it led. Her process wasn’t linear. It took five or six years to finish the book, much of it written during the pandemic.

At one point, she spent time at the Georgia Aquarium just to observe the octopuses —watching them move, interact, hide, and emerge. She described it as a patient, hit-or-miss process. She approached her writing the same way—letting her story evolve as she honed her craft.

Her journey is a powerful reminder: mastery isn’t a prerequisite to begin. Practice is.

Accountability Over Perfection

One moment that stood out was when she admitted she was delaying the inevitable -- she needed to finish. What helped her cross the line? A pact with another writer.

Having an accountability partner gave her the nudge she needed to let go of perfection and lean into completion. She emphasized the importance of momentum, mutual support, and accountability. Her takeaway: don’t wait to be “ready.” Keep moving and find people who can help you stay on track.

Timing, Boldness, and Serendipity

Van Pelt also acknowledged something many successful people gloss over: timing matters. Her book proposal went out into the world in September 2020 when My Octopus Teacher was captivating audiences. Suddenly, octopuses and their emotional intelligence were top of mind. Her story hit at the right time—and publishers noticed.

Now, Remarkably Bright Creatures is being made into a movie.

But she didn’t plan that. She couldn’t. What she could control was showing up, putting in the work, and staying open to possibility. Serendipity favors the doers. The opportunities you dream of won’t land unless you’re willing to take that first, small step.

Final Reflections: Becoming Instead of Arriving

If there’s one message I carried home from Shelby Van Pelt’s talk, it’s this: becoming is a process.

She didn’t start with a bestseller. She didn’t even start with a plot. She started with a scene about a snarky octopus and gave herself permission to follow it. She let herself become a writer, word by word, mistake by mistake, revision by revision.

Her journey speaks to anyone who’s ever felt stuck, unqualified, or unsure. It’s not about credentials or certainty—it’s about curiosity, practice, and the willingness to begin before you feel ready. So whether you’re pivoting careers, nursing a creative idea, or wondering what might come next—maybe it’s time to stop Googling and start doing. Maybe it’s time to honor your own octopus rabbit hole, no matter how strange or small it seems.

And maybe, just maybe, someone is waiting to hear your story—stuckness and all.

If Shelby Van Pelt’s story reminded you of your own pause or professional pivot, don’t ignore the signal.

Download our free THRIVE at Work Check-Up below to reflect on where you might be stuck and what’s ready to shift.

Or reach out for a free 30-minute call with our team—we’re here to offer another perspective and help you take the next small (or bold) step forward.