How Saying the Wrong Thing Led to the Right Story

Creative Moment, Nat crafting a vibrant book page illustration on the computer screen.

It’s hard to believe it’s been four months since we officially launched Zosimos Curra™, and only recently released You Can’t Rush Friendships, the first book in the Magbean!™ series. As we settle into this next chapter of sharing Nat’s work with the world, I’ve been reflecting on how it all started, the night this journey really began.

It was February, and we were having dinner when Nat started talking through another book idea. I wish I could remember which one it was. Over the years, there have been so many stories, characters, and ideas they’ve dreamt up. All of them rich with imagination, but none of them ever quite finished. Nat is a deep thinker, and sometimes their stories became so layered and complex that they got stuck before reaching the end.

That night, I was tired. And I’ll admit it, I was a bit frustrated. I looked at Nat and said, “You’re overcomplicating it. At this rate, you’ll never finish a book. Why don't you just go write ten pages with two sentences each.”

It wasn’t my most patient parenting moment, but it came from the heart. And to my surprise, a couple of hours later, Nat came back with something beautiful.

It was simple, clear, and full of emotion. Most importantly, it was finished.

That little push sparked something. I remember reading those pages and thinking, “This is it. This is the story.” So I said the next thing that came to mind: “Okay, now go and illustrate it.”

That’s how You Can’t Rush Friendships came to life. And that one conversation, a mix of honesty, timing, and a small spark of creative frustration, became the beginning of Zosimos Curra, Nat’s creative business.

I often wonder how close we were to missing that moment. If I’d simply listened and nodded, if I hadn’t challenged them, would we be here now?

Sometimes big things begin quietly. Sometimes, the smallest challenge can open the door to something truly meaningful.

This is how Magbean! began. Not from a perfect plan. Just from a very real moment that changed everything.

💚 Thank you for being part of this journey.

Deb

To learn more visit zosimoscurra.com.au or grab a copy of the first book by clicking below.

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