Some artists have a remarkable ability to keep finding new ways to express themselves. George Collins is one of them. Known for his work as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and performer, Collins now brings that same creative curiosity to the literary world with the release of his debut novel, "PLAYING THE CHANGES."
A compelling story of loss, self-discovery, love and the possibility of starting over, the novel introduces readers to a different side of an artist whose own career has been defined by creative exploration and reinvention.
At the center of "PLAYING THE CHANGES" is Ray Stark, a highly accomplished neurosurgeon whose professional life is built around precision, intelligence and control. But when personal tragedy, a failing marriage and unresolved childhood memories begin to unravel the life he has carefully constructed, Ray is forced to confront a side of himself he has long neglected.
His unexpected return to music, this time through the saxophone, becomes the beginning of a profound personal journey. Drawn into the world of jazz, Ray discovers a creative outlet that challenges his instinct to control everything and encourages him to approach life with a different perspective.
It is an inspired premise, and one that gives the novel its distinctive character. Jazz is not simply a backdrop to the story. Its language, improvisation and constant movement provide a natural framework for Ray's transformation. The title itself captures the central idea: life rarely follows the arrangement we expect, and sometimes the only way forward is to learn how to play the changes.
What makes the book particularly interesting is the connection between its story and Collins' own creative journey. After spending decades working in international finance, he returned to music, building a second career as a singer-songwriter and guitarist. His albums, including "It's Been a Long Time," "Songs for Grown-ups" and "New Ways of Getting Old," reflect an artist unafraid to examine the complexities of adulthood, relationships, aging and personal reinvention.
With "PLAYING THE CHANGES," those interests find a new home in fiction.
The novel is also the product of an extraordinary commitment to the creative process. An idea that first came to Collins in a dream developed into an 18-year writing journey involving more than 100 drafts and extensive research. His dedication to bringing authenticity to the story even led to a connection with Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano, who read the manuscript in progress and subsequently agreed to appear in the novel.
That attention to the musical world gives the story an additional dimension, while its larger themes make it accessible well beyond the world of jazz.
Ray's journey raises questions about the choices we make, the relationships we sometimes take for granted and what happens when the identity we've spent a lifetime building no longer serves us. His transformation is neither simple nor immediate. It requires confronting difficult truths, recognizing past mistakes and discovering that personal change begins with a willingness to listen.
There is a natural emotional connection between these themes and Collins' songwriting. Both are interested in the human experience, the complications of relationships and the unexpected turns that can change the direction of a life.
Collins once summed up his creative philosophy with the words: **“Don’t write what you know – write what you feel.”**
That approach is evident in the ambition behind "PLAYING THE CHANGES." Rather than simply moving into another creative medium, he has developed a story that brings together his longstanding interests in music, human relationships and the possibilities of reinvention.
The novel's journey is continuing beyond the page, with a screenplay adaptation currently being pitched to Hollywood production companies.
For an artist who has already demonstrated that a second act can lead to an entirely new creative life, the arrival of "PLAYING THE CHANGES" feels like a particularly fitting next chapter.
George Collins has brought his musical sensibility, curiosity and appreciation for life's complicated turns to an entirely different form of storytelling. The result is a novel that explores the transformative power of music while reminding us that it is never too late to reconsider the direction of our lives.
"PLAYING THE CHANGES" is available now on Amazon.