Happy IWSG Day and Favorite Stories!

 

Happy IWSG Day!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine! 

Our Fearless Leader is Alex J. Cavanaugh!

Our optional question this month is about our favorite stories we've written... 

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My Favorite Things I’ve Written (So Far)

It’s always hard to choose a favorite piece of writing — usually, it’s the last book I’ve published. But looking back, here are a few that hold a special place in my heart:

• Dark Blade Forged (2024) — My latest fantasy novel, and the first in the Dark Blade Trilogy. It’s a story about a cursed sword, justice, and the power of light against shadow.

• “The Top Hat” (3rd Grade) — One of my earliest stories, and the first time I received real compliments on my writing in school. 

• Champion in the Darkness (2013) — My debut novel, and the start of the Champion Trilogy. Publishing this book taught me courage in stepping into the world as an author.

• “Dragonfold” (2009) — My first published short story. Dragons have always inspired my imagination, and this story opened the door to being published.

• “Seedling” — Another short story close to my heart, about growth, hope, and finding friendship in unexpected places.

• To Speak (coming 2026) — A forthcoming poetry collection in a newly expanded edition. 

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New Podcast Mini-Series

I’ve just launched a new podcast mini-series about the writing life, blending travel, caregiving, and creativity. This week is all about “Cacti, Camels, and Writing.” I share about the last few days in Mongolia and what these experiences taught me about resilience, faith, and the creative journey. Each week, I'll also air two shorter episodes with writing prompts. If you get my newsletter, you'll hear a few stories about riding camels and sitting accidentally on cacti as a kid. 

Here's a picture of me on a camel, along with the core mission team:

And the cactus part, well, it's a metaphor for some stuff (see below), and it came from finding this anonymous quote in my dad's calendar:

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You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it.

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What I'm Writing Right Now:

Dark Blade 2 (Title may be changing) is finished as a main draft. 

But I am not ready to release it yet due to some life circumstances. 

I came home from Mongolia to find that I needed to step into a caregiving role for my parents. I am getting help, and I am finding ways to manage this, but I am going to take a beat to figure out how and when to release my next books. They are coming, but not immediately.

Mainly, I am journal writing and writing bits and pieces of Dark Blade 3.

I will let you know as soon as I can work on the release dates, and I may be asking for help. 

How can I keep on podcasting with this? Well, podcasting has been fun. 

And, I'm honestly winging a lot of episodes. Joy + grace = restful enough to do. 

Coming Home September 2025

 Coming home is interesting.

It always is.

The world looks different.

Home looks different.

My dad is in a care center, recuperating from three fractured ribs. He had a fall.

Work (my other work) has many things that need to be done yesterday.

I long to see my daughters and visit my grandson.

I'm writing, but it's currently more reflection on traveling than fiction. I have a plan to get back to fiction writing starting tomorrow. It's a good plan.

I've been podcasting extensively about my trip, with nine episodes prepped and scheduled. 

I've already put out a few, including:

I'm Back!

Mongolia Reflections, Part 1.

I've linked to Youtube here, but you can also find them on Spotify, RSS Feeds, Amazon Music, and More. 

Returning Home and IWSG

 

Happy IWSG Day!

I am traveling and may not be able to get around to comment, but thought I would add a short post today.

Returning Home

 Today, I am flying home. I know from past trips, I am probably thinking of how soft my bed is. I might be dozing. I might be looking forward to the rainy and damp weather Western Washington is famous for. And no matter what, I will be longing for the warm embrace of my husband. 

What do you love about returning home from a trip away, even if it's been a grand adventure?

Fun Facts About Mongolia

• Ulaanbaatar, the capital, is the coldest capital city in the world.
• Mongolia is known as the ‘Land of the Eternal Blue Sky,’ with over 250 sunny days every year.
• Nomadic herding is still a huge part of life.
• And the traditional dwelling, called a ger—sometimes called a yurt—is a round felt tent you can take down and set up again, perfectly suited for a life on the move.
• The latitude of Mongolia and the size of Mongolia makes it similar (but not the same) as Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, and part of Canada just above Montana and the Dakotas. Yet, the population is similar to the greater Seattle area, and half of that population lives in or around the cities.
• Ulaanbaatar has apartment buildings, but it is also surrounded by neighborhoods of gers. The word "ger" not only means the dwelling we think of as a yurt (a Russian rename for it), but it also means home.

How do you describe your home? Is it a land of Blue Sky, Damp Rain, Wide Horizons, Misty Mountains? 

Mongolia Mission Trip and The Knock on My Door

Today, on my 54th birthday, I’ll be leaving for my very first mission trip—to Mongolia! 

I didn’t wait for Gandalf to knock on my door, but the Holy Spirit did knock on my heart at the right time. Even though I don’t feel like the best, most eloquent, or most prepared person, I said yes. No second pocket handkerchief here —but I am bringing a journal, a small tablet, and my phone camera.

I’m both excited and nervous, but most of all hopeful—that I will be an instrument of God’s love and encouragement to those we meet.

Would you pray for us? Specifically:

The fullness of the Holy Spirit for our team and everyone we meet

Good listening hearts

The right words and scriptures at the right time

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to share stories, pictures, and glimpses of God’s work when I return.

And we will also be taking part in a baptism of new believers! 

IWSG, Moments, and Landscapes

 Happy IWSG Day to all those who participate in the monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop! You rock!

And many thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and those who are helping out this month: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

Today, I will be enjoying small moments that feel vast - those momentous moments of joy and gladness we feel in the presence of loved ones. We are visiting my older daughter, her husband, and our tiny grandson today in Montana. Surrounded by incredible landscapes, we are focused instead on a five month old little boy.

Meanwhile, my Kickstarter is going and I haven't been attending to it as I ought.

Too much life stuff has happened. I got sick, I got better. My dad went to the hospital, and he got strong enough I felt comfortable coming on this trip to see my grandson, but there are more appointments in the future. I realized how close the mission trip to Mongolia is, and my focus shifted to packing plans and such. I found out that my family's preference for packing light (one backpack carryon) and doing laundry while traveling might be more than a little strange to everyone on the mission team (apparently, 12 changes of clothes and at least one checked bag are expected). This still has me reeling a bit. I mean, I know we all have different ideas about travel, but packing light has been so much a part of my life that it's hard for me to wrap my head around doing the opposite for a mission trip. But if no one else is planning on doing laundry, then I need to pack accordingly, which means way more than I normally would.

Anyway, as you can see, my brain is full of everything except my Kickstarter, but Kickstarter campaigns are all about intense focus and campaigning. So, I may have to redo my campaign when the dust settles.

But, because I have the campaign going on, I would love to share a few poems with you from the book - which will come out eventually, Kickstarter success round 1 or not. These two poems are from the Wild Grace section of the book.

Shadowed Movement

Shadowed movement

catches my peripheral,

brown against green.

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I turn to see

deer, normally bold,

ducking into trees.

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I still,

checking for predators.

The bushes rustle,

stop.

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I am chilled

when the howls of the hunt

ring my yard as the sun

dips and the sky darkens.

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It’s not so quiet living

outside the city limits,

but I do appreciate the chuckling

of the owl when the coyotes leave.

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Driftwood Curves

Driftwood curves echo

bridges spanning sea water

sulushing on rocky shores

as seals glide and seagulls peck

hunting for sustenance.

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I hunt for the sustenance of peace

through camera’s eyes

under cloud-covered skies,

chased by scolding seabirds,

until sea meets river, and I climb

away from salty breeze and back to reality.

Find my Kickstarter for To Speak RIGHT HERE.

Have you ever done a Kickstarter Campaign? And, if so, how did you maintain that laser focus in the midst of life?