I don’t usually share this much at once, but today felt like the right time. Maybe you’ll see pieces of your own story in mine. And, at the end, there’s a reward!
I have five main things to share this week.
First: the podcast episodes about Mongolia are already prepped and scheduled. I’ve decided to leave them as they are despite personal and world events. I think I only have one left to record near the end of the month, and that one may feel a little different from the rest.
You can find the episodes on YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, Amazon Music, and through RSS feeds—probably more, but those are the ones I remember.
Second: if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may know that I’m learning about caregiving. While I was in Mongolia, my dad fell and fractured three ribs. He and my mom told me not to come home, but when I did return, I discovered he had been neglected in the nursing-care facility where he was staying.
Not every nurse was careless, but too many things happened. He was left alone without a call button, with the lights off in his room—more than once. I took notes every time. The last time I arrived, I found him sitting in the dark, eyes half-closed, confused, and in pain. His knee was badly swollen, and later we learned he had a fever of 103.
We got him to the hospital, where staff found more signs of neglect and possibly abuse. I reported the facility to the state agency. Maybe nothing will happen, but staying silent feels like part of the problem. I have had too many people contact me with the same stories about their parents. We shouldn’t have to put up with substandard or abusive care for our seniors.
Third: meanwhile, the world has been heavy. More shootings. Endless talking heads. Even people celebrating violence. That is disgusting—inhumane. Violence is never the answer, no matter which side of the political arena you’re on.
As someone who believes each of us is created in the image of God, I believe Jesus’ love is the answer we’re all seeking. If you disagree, that’s okay. If this offends you, you’re free to unfollow.
Despite everything, the sun still shines. Even when it rains, I know—above, around, and through it all—that God alone is good. People aren’t always good, but because we’re made in His image and he sets us free through his grace, we can choose to be. It’s a choice every day, every moment.
Fourth: an interesting note from the Authors Guild arrived today. A lawsuit against a particular AI company went through, and some authors will be compensated because their pirated books were used to train AI. Two of my books are on the list, but only one qualifies since I paid for a U.S. copyright, in addition to paying for the ISBN number. Of course, I won’t count on getting that compensation until it actually shows up at my door.
It makes me wonder if I should copyright more of my books. ISBNs usually cover most needs, but apparently not for this kind of protection. If your books were pirated during the AI-training surge, you might want to check whether you qualify for compensation.
Fifth: an update on my writing life. When I’m stressed, I still write and read—they bring me joy and peace. Sometimes I run to books as a refuge, and sometimes writing becomes that refuge, too.
I’m close to finishing Dark Blade Tempered, the second book in the Dark Blade Trilogy. I hope to launch a Kickstarter for a special edition of Dark Blade Forged, maybe even a combined campaign for books one and two. I signed up for an Author Nation table for Kickstarter authors at Reader Nation on the last day, and I’m figuring out how to make that happen with everything else going on.
Some days I write by a hospital bed. Some days I jot story fragments or brainstorm Kickstarter ideas. It’s all part of the process. My goal is to get Dark Blade Tempered into readers’ hands by December—ideally sooner.
Thank you for sticking with me through this long update.
Whether it’s books, prayer, a walk outside, or a good conversation, may you find the refuges that remind you you’re not alone.
Here are some photos of my trip to Mongolia:
