From the Bar to Bestseller: How Helen Fields Found Healing, Creativity, and Purpose Beyond the Courtroom

Helen Fields, a million-selling crime thriller author and former criminal barrister, embodies the transformative journey from a high-stakes legal career to a creatively fulfilling life. Her life at the Bar was intense and harrowing, marked by long hours, complex cases, and the immense emotional weight of witnessing human tragedy. Today, as a renowned author, Fields channels her experiences into storytelling, offering insights on healing, growth, and paying it forward in ways that inspire those around her.

In a recent interview for our magazine, Fields shared her hard-won wisdom about transitioning from law to literature, healing from professional burnout, and cultivating mental wellbeing. Her reflections provide invaluable guidance to anyone striving for balance, fulfilment, and personal transformation.

The Journey from Courtroom to Creative Life

Fields’ experience as a criminal barrister provided a unique foundation for her later career as a crime novelist. In the courtroom, she was constantly confronted with the darkest aspects of human nature and the justice system. “You’re not prepared for the toll it takes,” she recalls, “dealing with genuinely horrific cases and absorbing people’s pain day after day. I didn’t see the toll at first—it was my husband who eventually pointed it out. I was emotionally unavailable, a ‘shadow of myself.’”

As a barrister, she became accustomed to putting her emotions aside. The legal field, especially criminal law, demands toughness, mental resilience, and sometimes emotional detachment. Fields explains, “It’s not a career where you’re offered much support. There’s an assumption that you’re ‘superhuman’ and that the cases won’t affect you, but they do.”

Lessons on Self-Awareness and Balance

For Fields, the demands of her career began clashing with her personal life after the birth of her children. Despite her love for the courtroom, she realised that her work was taking too much out of her emotionally and physically. This realisation led to her first pivotal decision: leaving the Bar to work with her husband’s media company. She found that her legal skills transferred seamlessly, giving her confidence in a new domain while allowing more time for family.

This step back opened space for self-reflection. Fields stresses the importance of taking stock of your mental wellbeing, especially in high-stress careers. “So much of myself was wrapped up in work and achievement, but when I stopped, I had to re-evaluate what truly made me happy,” she says. Writing was a way to rediscover that happiness. She describes her early novels as “other people’s yoga,” a personal escape and a way to reconnect with her creative side.

Writing as Therapy and Transformation

Writing became not only a career but also a therapeutic outlet. Through writing, she channeled years of suppressed emotions and unresolved anger. While she did not draw directly from specific cases, she infused her characters with the “sense of frustration” she experienced from the systemic issues she encountered in law. “Writing let me express and explore these feelings constructively, and it was deeply healing,” she explains.

Fields encourages others to find their own “therapeutic practices.” Whether it’s journaling, creating art, or something physical, having an activity that allows self-expression can be a lifeline. “Do something you enjoy, not because it has to lead anywhere but because it fulfils you,” she advises. For Fields, the unexpected success of her novels was a bonus; her initial goal was simply to reconnect with her joy in storytelling.

Finding Healing through Physical and Emotional Resilience

Beyond writing, Fields discovered the value of physical strength and resilience. After leaving the Bar, she took up karate at age forty, a move that surprised her. “I’d never done anything like that before,” she laughs. “But karate taught me to stand firm and absorb a hit—both literally and figuratively. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about physical endurance and knowing that you can handle it.”

This sense of resilience became even more pronounced when her children inspired her to try other activities, like wind tunnel flying. “Learning to control your body and just letting go in the wind tunnel was a different kind of freedom,” she says. “Physical activities force you to focus, which can be incredibly grounding.”

The Power of Nature as Therapy

Relocating to California for several years also allowed Fields to reconnect with nature in profound ways. Fields describes her solitary walks along the Californian coast as deeply healing. “Walking on a beach, hearing nothing but the waves, feeling the sun rising—that brought me peace like nothing else,” she shares. Today, she emphasises nature as a “cheap, accessible therapy,” especially for busy people who may not have time for lengthy self-care routines.

“Even now, back in the UK, walking with my kids is one of the best ways to connect. Nature has a way of opening people up. I find that if you walk with them, they’ll talk about things they wouldn’t at home.”

Paying It Forward: Advocating for Well-Being and the Arts

Today, Fields advocates for the criminal bar community, junior barristers, and writers alike, reminding them of the importance of support and balance. She is an active member of the Society of Authors, a union representing over 12,500 self-employed professionals in the creative arts, including writers, translators, and graphic artists. The organisation provides invaluable resources for those working in often financially precarious and isolated roles.

“It’s essential in any industry, but especially in the arts, to turn around and extend a hand to those behind you on the ladder,” Fields emphasises. She describes the Society of Authors as “a community, a support network, and a safety net” for professionals facing challenges such as contract disputes, financial hardship, or disability.

Her advice is straightforward: “If you’ve managed to build a career, look around and offer support to someone who might be struggling. For me, it’s about making sure artists and creators have the resources they need. I love being a part of it because I’ve been on both sides of that need.”

Tips for Embracing Passion, Finding Balance, and Letting Go of Self-Doubt

Throughout her journey, Fields has developed a set of guiding principles for those considering a career change or looking to follow their passion:

1. Reclaim Your Joy: “Do things that bring you happiness, even if they don’t have a clear ‘goal’ attached,” she says. Fields’ journey into writing was driven by a love for storytelling, not by ambition or a need for external validation. Following what truly excites you, she suggests, can lead to unexpected fulfilment.
2. Nurture Your Resilience: Fields underscores the value of finding ways to boost both mental and physical resilience. Whether it’s karate or flying in a wind tunnel, physical activities that challenge you can foster a sense of control, grounding, and confidence.
3. Engage with Nature: The natural world has restorative powers that shouldn’t be overlooked. Fields encourages finding time for walks, beach visits, or even a moment of stillness outside. “Nature has a way of putting things into perspective,” she says.
4. Seek Community and Support: Community, especially in solitary professions, is crucial. “Find your tribe,” Fields suggests. Whether it’s a writing group, a book club, or an online forum, having people who share your interests and challenges makes a huge difference.
5. Pay It Forward: For Fields, giving back is essential. “Mentorship, advice, or even a little encouragement can change someone’s life,” she notes. In creative industries, where many people work alone or are self-employed, Fields believes that building a supportive network is key to survival.

Helen Fields’ journey is one of resilience, transformation, and a profound commitment to wellbeing. Her story demonstrates that it’s possible to turn professional struggles into personal growth, and that by following our passions, we can find joy and purpose in unexpected places. As Fields navigates life as an author, a mentor, and an advocate, she reminds us that healing and happiness lie not in escaping the past but in learning from it and giving back. Whether in the courtroom, on the page, or in nature, Fields shows us that a life of fulfilment is one where we continuously seek to uplift ourselves and those around us.