How 2026 started

As we all perceive, the Everything is still a lot (even got worse, didn’t it?), and my day job desperately tries to keep up with it, which is not helping at all. My energy levels are a bit underwhelming, and I did not get as many words down as intended. But I have to be easy on myself - I won't work better under pressure, and I know that all too well. I made plans and the universe laughed. Should have expected that, but giving up is and never was an option.

Projects

Short story collection(s)

Of course my brain went sideways when I decided to work on my sci-fi collection and instantly gave me ideas for my Drunken Magic story universe, which is clearly fantasy. I mean, I am not mad - ideas are good, words are good, all is well. I just have to try and do two things at the same time, which I totally can do. I also totally can mess that up. The coming weeks will tell the general direction this quest takes.

Develop new writing routines

I took steps to get more words down, which means returning to a weekly flash fiction cycle. This time with the twist that I draw from MTG cards and write whatever my brain makes of that prompt. I have one story drafted and a second prompt ready. Also wrote a draft for our Author Avenger prompt.

About the poems - hell, this is where the Everything really messes with my brain and covers all beauty in ash. I am stumbling, words feeling like dirt in my mouth as soon as I try to put something resembling a poem to paper. Probably need to take more walks to find my way back to poetry.

Rewrite my novel

My brain is diverting power from the rewriting engines to the sparkly new idea generators, which leads to flickering story line navigation consoles, the bridge crew is in panic, everything is in disarray. I don’t know where that rewrite will take me. I am still afraid to tackle and wrestle with it full force, afraid of breaking either it or me. Part of my brain tells me that I should just write another story, and another part can’t let go of this idea, this draft. Procrastination activities are trying to draw a book cover and playing sad melodies on ma Casio keyboard. Not that I have any talent for either or could play with both hands. But it helps me think (that’s how I justify that to myself) and some hundred hours of bashing out tunes and drawing might produce a clear thought what to do with the story. You never know, do you?

A blink from the past

As in my last newsletter, this story too came from a prompt. I still manage to be a bit proud of this one - I hope you enjoy it, too!

“Shattering a Dragon”.

I don’t know why I thought about this interpretation of dragon, almost instantly after reading the prompt. It’s often like that for me; my brain conjures up some idea or imposed meaning - twists on existing things even - in a split second, setting me on a path to write a story before I can even make sense of it for myself. But ain’t it beautiful to write sense into them? Or the reader finding their perfect interpretation?

Please, tell me what you think about this dragon, your interpretation of the story?

Promotions

Offerings for Ordinary Gods

The wonderful poet Ali Trotta has preorders available for her upcoming book:
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I highly recommend doing so if you are in a region where you can.

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Fizz & Bang

A friend asked me how to cope with impostor syndrome. That I have it in abundance is no secret; I might over-share those episodes a bit. And yet, I put myself out there, write stories, and even a newsletter.

There’s no secret trick to it. We all struggle from time to time, question ourselves, and the quality of our work. That’s nothing writers have exclusivity on. But it probably is a matter of perspective and relativity.

My perspective on writing changed a bit in the last decade. From ‘Why am I not as good as xy’ to ‘I am better than yesterday’. From ‘I will never sell a book’ to ‘I don’t have to sell a book. It’s enough if my writing makes someone feel seen, feel understood, or simply gives a reader joy’. From ‘Why do I even try?’ to ‘Strive. Always strive’.

That put everything in relativity - my fears shrunk from insurmountable spires to merely hard to climb mountains. Don’t get me wrong, putting myself out there is and will be scary as hell. Fending off impostor syndrome is a constant struggle. But I learned to weaponise every positive feedback against it. It won’t ever be defeated, but I win more often now, am less afraid.

It is an uncalled-for companion on my writing journey, and I won’t ever like it, but having it means I will never cease to strive, to improve. It will always keep me on my toes, make me double-check. The more I use it as a sparring partner, the less it cripples my brain.

So, what do we say when impostor syndrome comes knocking, demanding we cease to write?

That’s right: “Not today, you ugly bastard. I’ll show you!”

It’s wild out there, stay excellent to each other.

Best regards,

Morris

P.S.: Would love to read your feedback/what you want to know more about? Thx & bye!