This is actually a very easy question for me to answer.

In fact, you’re looking at it.

Well, sort of.

You see, I unofficially changed my name years ago when I started writing under a pen name. What began as a practical decision slowly became the name most people know me by.

The full version is Robert Walter Christian, although most people know me professionally as Bob W Christian. I’ve been using that name for the best part of twenty years now, so it feels just as natural as any name possibly could.

Now, before anyone starts digging through birth records and old school registers, no, it isn’t my real name. 

That remains a closely guarded secret. Not because it’s particularly exciting, but because when I first started sharing my scribbles, much of what I wrote was deeply personal. 

Using a pen name allowed me to create a little distance between the writer and the man behind the curtain.

It gave me the freedom to write honestly.

As for where the name came from, that’s the easy part.

Walter Christian was a man I loved dearly and admired greatly. The kind of man who leaves footprints on your life long after he’s gone. Choosing to carry part of his name felt right.

The “Bob” part is far less dramatic.

I’ve always thought Bob is one of those wonderfully ordinary names. No grand expectations. No airs and graces. Just Bob. A simple, everyday sort of name for a simple, everyday sort of bloke.

So, if I had to change my name, I suppose the answer is that I already have.

Not officially.

Not on any important paperwork.

But in the world of poetry, photography, and the occasional ramblings on the internet, Bob W Christian has been me for a very long time.

And honestly, I think I’ll stick with him.

Stay safe 

Bc

Books have always been more than entertainment for me. The right book arrives at the right time and leaves a mark that lasts far beyond the final page. Looking back, there are three that fundamentally changed the way I see the world and myself.

So in no particular order, here we go.

The first is The Lord of the Rings. My mother shared these stories with me when I was very young, and they’ve been part of my life ever since. What began as a childhood love of adventure grew into a lifelong fascination with Tolkien’s world. Over the years I’ve even learned a little Sindarin, the language of the Elves, and collected several Tolkien-inspired tattoos, including Tolkien’s monogram. The stories taught me about courage, friendship, sacrifice, and the quiet strength found in ordinary people.

The second is String Theory for Dummies.While scrolling through Twitter, I spotted a stranger holding a copy of String Theory for Dummies and left a comment. That simple exchange sparked a conversation that never really ended. The stranger became Mrs Bob, my best friend, my partner, and the love of my life. Looking back, it’s incredible that a book about understanding the universe ended up changing mine completely. String Theory for Dummies didn’t just expand my mind—it led me to the woman who made my life better in every possible way.

The third is Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. A girl I was dating gave me a copy, and at the time I had no idea how influential that gift would become. The book sparked a journey of self-discovery that led me to explore spirituality, personal practice, and different ways of understanding the world. That path eventually evolved into a blend of witchcraft and Buddhist philosophy that continues to inform my life today.

Each of these books entered my life during a different chapter, but all three helped shape the person I became. They’re reminders that sometimes a book isn’t just something you read—it’s something that changes the direction of your story.

Stay safe

Bc

There’s something quietly brilliant about sitting beside Mrs Bob, controller in hand, trying to save Gotham on Lego Batman. Now, I’ll be honest… gaming skill isn’t exactly her superpower.

 Precision jumps become accidental swan dives, and half the time she’s merrily smashing the scenery while I’m attempting the mission. But what she lacks in gaming ability, she more than makes up for in heart. 

The laughter, the teamwork, and those little moments where neither of us really cares if we win or lose — that’s the joy. 

Sometimes happiness isn’t found in doing something perfectly. Sometimes it’s just found on the sofa, saving Gotham with the person you love. 

Stay safe,

Bc

The older I get, the more I realise that friendship isn’t measured by the years we’ve known each other, the likes on a post, or the ease of convenience.

It’s measured by who remains when the storm arrives.

Loyalty is rare. Genuine honesty is rarer still.

Give me the friend who speaks the truth when it’s uncomfortable, who stands beside me when it’s inconvenient, and who stays when others quietly walk away.

Those are the souls worth holding close.

Stay safe

Bc

Since leaving school, I’ve had a fairly varied employment history. Some planned, some accidental, and a few that probably only made sense at the time. Looking back, it’s been an interesting mix of industries, responsibilities, and experiences — enough to keep life from ever getting too predictable.

I started out as a baker and confectioner after doing my work experience in a bakery. Truthfully, I’d wanted to do my placement at a bank, but my mum decided I “wasn’t academic enough” for that route. So flour, ovens, and early mornings it was. I was made redundant just before starting my apprenticeship, which felt unfair at the time, but probably taught me early on that job security is mostly an illusion.

After that, I ended up at Rolls-Royce. If I’m being honest, I suspect my paternal grandfather’s reputation as a well-liked senior management figure helped open that door. Over the years I worked across several departments and roles there, on and off rather than continuously. One useful thing that came out of it was gaining my first FLT certification at 17, which at the time felt like serious machinery and responsibility.

From there, my career path becomes less “carefully mapped out” and more “adapt and overcome.”

Some of the more notable roles along the way included:

• Soldier in the British Army as a Supply Chain Operator
• Close protection and VIP security
• Research and Development Engineer in both the automotive and aerospace industries
• Aerospace X-ray Technician
• Head of Hospital Security — including at the same hospital where my children were born
• General Manager and Bar Manager across several pubs and a nightclub
• Wax Injection Operator for one of Rolls-Royce’s sister companies
• Warehouse Manager, Social Media expert, and Photographer — all somehow at the same workplace
• NVQ Assessor for PMO (Performing Manufacturing Operations)
• Quality Engineer in a clean room environment

There’s probably a lesson somewhere in all of that about versatility, resilience, or refusing to stay in one lane for too long. Personally, I just see it as a working life built by saying yes to opportunities, learning quickly, and figuring things out as I went. 

Some jobs paid the bills, some taught discipline, some taught leadership, and a few simply gave me stories worth telling later. Looking back now, I wouldn’t really change much — even the chaotic bits served a purpose in the end.

Interesting footnote.  I’ve never been out of work or signed on (unemployment benefits) since leaving school. This mentality of doing any job to keep the money coming in is a reflection of my maternal grandfather and his moral code.

Stay safe

Bc