There’s an old saying: “When you retire, you die.” I suppose that can feel true if your entire identity is tied to your job. I grew up in a generation where taking a sick day was frowned upon. In 45 years at Marotta Dental Studio, I took about 13 sick days total. Vacations were narrowed down to two weeks a year and no more.
I started working at Marotta Dental Studio in 1981 at just 16 years old, doing plaster work in the basement lab my brother-in-law, Lenny Marotta, had opened. I’d ride my bike to his house after school, never imagining that the tiny basement operation would grow, move, grow again, and eventually become one of the few independently owned dental labs still standing. Today, we own our own building and continue the legacy we built from scratch.
My first dream
But my first dream wasn’t dentistry; it was writing. Work, family, and responsibility meant I never had the time to sit down and pursue writing the “great American novel.” Still, I always carved out weekends for my wife and daughters. Family time was sacred.
Then came COVID
Then COVID lockdown changed me. For the first time, I truly slowed down. I learned that rest wasn’t laziness; it was a necessity. Since then, I’ve taken the kinds of trips I once only read about—Egypt, Sweden, and Italy—and I’ve allowed myself space for hobbies and reflection. Giving myself permission to slow down opened a door I’d thought was closed forever: writing.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, my first novel was published. Whether it sells or not matters far less than the fact that it exists. It represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and the beginning of a new chapter for me.
I began writing the book during lockdown, often spending weekends writing, editing, and rewriting. My lifelong ADHD has had me living in a continuous daydream of stories, from my school days till today. While driving in the car listening to music I will imagine different scenarios, visualizing scenes, characters, and stories.
Inspiration
My inspiration for Touched began with the Linkin Park album Meteora—in particular, the song “Faint” that inspired the climatic last chapter of the book. Once I had that scene in my mind, I then had to create a beginning and supporting characters, all while listening to music on my PC. One of my daughters made me a playlist that matched the first draft perfectly, and so the writing just kept flowing.
I won’t say it was easy. The process of crafting a complete novel was definitely challenging, with more revision than I would have expected at the start. My wife, who has been a freelance writer, magazine editor, English teacher, and writing center director, helped me with the editing and formatting for print.
The story itself may seem dark—an origin tale of Aiden, a man shaped by severe childhood abuse who discovers he can see the entity of death itself. When death comes for a close friend, Aiden steals its power and uses it to stop his father. As an adult, he becomes a protector of the innocent, standing against an antagonist named Denny Wayde, a vile figure seeking power in ways reminiscent of Epstein Island. The book follows Aiden from his traumatic youth to his final confrontation with Wayde. For me, this story is about the power of creating a family that’s a real support system and finding the power to heal.
Building a life outside of work
I wish I’d learned earlier that work will always be there, but time will not. Too many Boomers cling to their jobs, afraid to retire or make room for the next generation. If I have any advice for younger people, it’s this: take care of yourself. Take vacations. Enjoy your friends and family. Build a life outside of work.
In a few years, I’ll step away from Marotta and dedicate myself fully to writing. After decades defined by work, I’m finally ready to live the life I once imagined.
Details about the book here.
More articles by Steven Pigliacelli …
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Perio-Implant Advisory, a chairside resource for dentists and hygienists that focuses on periodontal- and implant-related issues. Read more articles and subscribe to the newsletter.
