The Story Behind Ben Boa

At the start of this year, I told myself this is the year to make it happen. “Let’s make it a New Year’s resolution that you will do it,” I told myself and then did a reality check. "Let's not get too excited or go too far."

Here we are now halfway through the year. It might almost happen—albeit seven years after its conception. Talk about a long gestation period!

My mother gave me this round piece of wood over twenty years ago. Around the edge was inscribed “I am a round tuit." She proudly told me I would always get around to it, so now I had no excuses.

At some point, it got lost, but the words remained with me. This voice brings them back every time I put things off.

There we have it: the first problem that is hindering me is procrastination.

In April, I published the first series of stories about a made-up character named Ben Boa.  Yes, I know. It took me a while to get going.

What or who is Ben Boa? 

You might know the answer if you've been following my journey to make this dream real.

Episode 1 was “Ben Boa’s Life in Pharma: Episode 1: Ben’s Lesson in Ethics." It set the scene for what was to follow. Four more episodes set the scene before I get into all the juicy stuff.

Ben Boa started life as a salesperson for a pharmaceutical (pharma) company. I created him as a character to support me during my time in compliance at a pharmaceutical company.

The aim was to create a fictional character with crazy adventures. I wanted to make compliance, a boring topic, fun and engaging. That way, I could effectively share the message. When he was created, the pharmaceutical world faced chaos. This began with several investigations into bribery and corruption in China.

At least ten big pharma companies were involved in several countries, not just China. The result was changes to the way that pharma companies interact with doctors. The resulting laws changed the industry forever. The days of enticing deposits with trips to exotic places were over. The extravagant dinners where no expense was spared became capped. The trips to nightclubs and gambling establishments were vetoed.

Breaking the rules resulted in hefty penalties and big fines for both companies and individuals. Many companies paid significant fines. Over a dozen top pharma executives and consultants went to jail due to the "China Affair."

At the time, I was in charge of compliance for six countries in Asia-Pacific, including China.  Much of my time was spent investigating inappropriate behaviour by sales personnel. I also had to find ways to convey the message about compliance and what was unacceptable. Ben Boa was born.

As the story unravelled, it developed a cult following in the company. In my mind, at least, it has it all. The wise counsel of Calvernicus, the godfather of compliance. Ben and Tina Goodytweoshoes, who had a complicated on-and-off relationship. Tina worked as a compliance investigator. Ernie, Ben’s best friend, suddenly goes missing. The Chinese mafia. The US special agent from the Food and Drug Administration.

Often, while I stayed up late working on the next episode, I reminded myself this was about compliance. It wasn’t a Mills & Boon novel or a James Patterson book. More characters emerge as the story unfolds. Readers see Ben's struggle with bribery and deceit.

It served its purpose and resulted in over thirty episodes before I retired from the company. In my retirement speech, I promised to modify the story and publish it as a book. It was my dream, at least, and at the time, it gave me a purpose for retirement.

Things don’t always end up as we plan. When COVID hit, my small company, "The Compliance Concierge,” saw a rise in requests for compliance consulting. As a result, my retirement was short-lived: about two months.

I kept telling myself that I did not have time to wait on a pipe dream of getting this into a novel. Excuse number two: You don’t have time to play around with this; you need to get more productive things done. Bills still need to be paid.

Sometimes, I’d take Ben Boa out to rewrite chapters or plan ways to make it more readable for a wider audience. I’ve slowed down my business a lot (I have to retire eventually!). So, my excuses for not doing this were running out.

The third problem (O.K., the third excuse) popped up. How did I take what I had and make it less technical so folks would want to pick it up and read it?

This led to procrastination again on many occasions. Why bother? It will never be something that people (outside the industry) would want to read.

I had joined Vocal and established a few loyal readers there. This was my opportunity to test their way and see where this went, or I would take it to my grave unfinished.

I started to dedicate hours a week to the rework. I reviewed and published the story “Ben Boa and the COVID Dentist” in the Humour community. This was originally drafted during COVID. I was fortunate enough to be given a Top Story for it.

 Eureka!

This was the incentive I needed to push on. I have since started the second part of the Ben Boa trilogy, “The Chinese Conundrum." I am up to episode 14, and publishing two episodes a week.

Episode 13, “Confucius Says When a Bird in the Sky Poops on You....” also got a Top Story.

I am smart enough to realise that this might just happen. The support from Vocal and our followers means a lot to me. It’s the encouragement I really need.

It's time to put away my fear of failure. Time to have faith that I can, as a writer, turn around the content and spice it up for general viewing. This time I feel I might actually get “around tuit!”

Till next time,

Calvin

Submitted to the “Not Quite There” challenge: