Weekly Rewind: What You Missed This Week

Motivation Monday: The Power of Pushing Through

There are days when the weight of our goals feels too heavy, when setbacks seem overwhelming, and the finish line feels too far away. Whether it's in writing, game design, or any other project, I've had countless moments where I’ve doubted myself, felt stuck, or wanted to give up. But the key to success isn’t found in moments of smooth sailing—it’s forged in the moments when you push through the hard times.

When I was writing The Secret Seal series, there were countless times I faced writer's block. Ideas would fizzle out, and I'd question whether the story would ever come together. The same happened while developing my card game—there were times when the design seemed flawed, or the vision seemed out of reach. In those moments, it’s easy to think, “Maybe this isn’t for me.”

But here’s the truth: greatness is rarely born from comfort. It’s in the struggle where growth happens. Each time I felt stuck, I took a step back, realigned my focus, and reminded myself why I started. And every time I pushed through, I found that my work was stronger for it.

Pushing through doesn’t mean blindly working harder. Sometimes it means taking a break, recharging, and then coming back with fresh eyes. Sometimes it means rethinking your approach, getting advice from others, or simply pushing yourself to work on something even when motivation feels low. But whatever the path looks like, it means not giving up.

For me, success hasn’t come from the moments when things were easy. It’s come from the times I’ve pushed past doubt, kept moving forward when progress felt slow, and believed in my vision, even when no one else could see it yet.

So this Motivation Monday, I encourage you to think about the challenges you're facing. Whether it's in writing, a creative project, your business, or even personal goals—know that the hard times are part of the journey. Keep pushing. You’re stronger than you think, and you’re capable of far more than you realize.

Remember: Every setback is an opportunity to push through, and every time you do, you’re one step closer to your goal.

Stay motivated, stay focused, and keep pushing forward!

Tunes Tuesday-"Brothers in Arms"

For today's Tunes Tuesday, let’s switch things up with a special battle song! While it might not be directly tied to The Secret Seal series, this track is all about energy, excitement, and the thrill of battle. Picture an intense fight scene—clashing swords, bursts of raw power, and epic confrontations. Whether you’re working on your own creative project, need a boost of energy, or just want something to pump you up, this song will set the mood.

Music has a way of pushing us through tough moments, and battle songs are all about harnessing that inner strength. So crank up the volume, let the music charge you, and dive into the fight with full force!

What songs are on your battle playlist? Let me know and enjoy this week’s Tunes Tuesday!

Wisdom Wednesday: The Power of Taking a Breather

Avoiding Burnout

When you’re always on the go, it’s tempting to push through every challenge without stopping to rest. But without giving yourself time to breathe, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. Just like a machine needs to cool down after running for hours, we need moments of rest to keep going without wearing ourselves out.

The Benefit of a Pause

Taking even a small moment out of your day to breathe—whether it’s a five-minute break, a quiet moment in your car, or a walk outside—can make all the difference. A pause doesn’t mean you’re slacking off; it means you’re refueling. It’s in these moments of stillness that you can clear your mind, recharge your energy, and come back stronger than before.

Reconnecting with Yourself

In the middle of a busy schedule, it’s easy to lose track of your own needs. We get so focused on the next task, the next goal, that we forget to check in with ourselves. How are you feeling today? Are you overwhelmed? Tired? Excited? Taking a breather gives you the space to reconnect with yourself, notice how you’re doing, and adjust before things get too overwhelming.

How to Take a Breather

You don’t need hours of free time to rest. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate moments of calm into your day:

• Breathe Deeply: Take a minute to sit still and focus on your breath. Deep breathing calms your mind and releases tension.

• Step Outside: Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

• Stretch: A quick stretch helps release built-up tension in your body and re-energizes you.

• Unplug: Put your phone down for a moment and just be present, without distractions.

The Long-Term Benefit

By taking small moments to breathe throughout your day, you’ll find yourself more focused, more resilient, and more balanced. Instead of burning out, you’ll have the energy to keep moving forward without running on empty. Remember, the goal isn’t just to get through the day—it’s to do so in a way that’s sustainable for the long haul.

So, this Wisdom Wednesday, I encourage you to give yourself permission to pause, breathe, and reset. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make.

Throwback Thursday: A Lost Chapter in Theodore's Journey

For this Throwback Thursday, I’m excited to dive back into an earlier version of The Secret Seal series, where Theodore's journey took an unexpected turn. In this original draft, Theodore wasn't the only one to end up in Sakaria—his entire team was with him. After a series of events, Theodore finds himself separated from his companions, waking up on a mysterious, sandy shore in a peaceful village hidden within the mountains. This chapter shows a different side of Theodore’s journey, as he meets Theodo and Eilif, two characters who were later reworked but still played crucial roles in his development.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane with this excerpt from the original draft:

Theodore awoke on a sandy shore. Theodore felt hazy memories, as he stood up from his spot. The area he was in was quite beautiful. Behind him was a roaring ocean, and just ahead was a beautiful village carved within the mountain nearby. The mountain was snow capped and filled with trees. A cascading waterfall fell from the mountain and to a stream that seemed to go through the village. 

Theodore noticed a nearby path, where a man was sitting on a bench. He seemed to be relaxing in the warm sun. Theodore approached the man, as he snapped out of his relaxation. The man stood up from his spot; the man had bright eyes and a big smile. He was an older gentleman with a look of wisdom to him. His white hair shone in the sun, upon closer inspection.

“Hello, and welcome to my humble home. Though it may not seem like much, there is more than meets the eye,” The older man spoke.

“What do you mean by that?” Theodore asked.

“You will see, but what brings you to Trak-só village?” The older man replied.

“I have been sent here to learn more about this technique that I have. It is an ancient Sakarian Warrior technique according to one of the village chiefs,” Theodore replied.

“So you have come here for the training then. I will warn you that during this training, you will suffer much, but in the end you will master the technique and be able to harness its true potential,” The older man replied.

“I am willing to do that,” Theodore replied.

“Then please do follow me,” The older man replied.

The two walked down the stone walkway, as the sound of the gushing waterfall sounded in the background. Theodore surveyed the village more as they walked along. Compared to the first village he visited, this one did not seem to be war torn at all. In fact it was very serene and peaceful. Children were out playing with each other. This village also seemed much more advanced than the other villages.

Upon reaching the gates to the village, a man with armor on stopped them. He had a black armor with red trimming on it. A faceplate covered his face, not allowing Theodore to see the user of the armor. Though the build of the armor was interesting. He had spikes protruding off the armor making it look scarier than a normal piece of armor. After the older man and the armored man spoke, they turned back to Theodore.

“So then this is the one I have to train this time? But every time I try to train these outsiders, it alway turns out bad. Is there any way I can skip him and send someone else to train him, Theodo,” The armored man begged.

“No! You are the one I am trusting with training him. You are the best I have to offer, and he is a very promising student. I have a feeling he could be the one to finally end this curse,” Theado replied.

“What curse are you talking about?” Theodore asked.

“Err, nothing. Eilif here will teach you how to hone into that power. As you also may have heard from us speaking, my name is Theodo. We seem to share a common name, young Theodore. It just seems I use the older version of it,” Theodo replied.

“How… How do you know my name?” Theodore asked.

“No need to worry about that. Eilif will teach you all you need to know. Eilif, I leave him in your hands,” Theodo replied, as he walked deeper into the village.

Fan Friday: What is The Secret Seal Series Really About?

At its core, the story follows a group of heroes navigating a world filled with ancient powers, hidden secrets, and a darkness that threatens to consume everything. The central character, Theodore, is thrust into a battle not only with external forces but with the conflict raging within himself. As he journeys through different realms, he's faced with a choice: to fight the evil within or risk being consumed by it. Meanwhile, an even greater, unseen evil lurks behind the scenes, setting a much larger plan in motion.

As the story unfolds, Theodore must rely on his companions, unlock forgotten powers, and unravel the mysteries of the world around him to stand any chance against the looming threat. With each step, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, and the path to victory may require a sacrifice greater than anyone anticipated.

That’s all I can share for now without giving away too much! But trust me—there are twists, turns, and plenty of surprises waiting in this world.

Strategy Saturday: Behind the Seal – The Upcoming Magazine!

This Strategy Saturday, I’m thrilled to share more about Behind the Seal, the exclusive magazine that will take you deeper into The Secret Seal universe and beyond. This magazine will offer insider content, behind-the-scenes looks, writing tips, sneak peeks, and so much more. Whether you’re a fan of the series or an aspiring writer, there’s something here for everyone.

What’s Inside? Each issue will include:

• Character spotlights and lore dives

• Interviews with the creative team

• Sneak peeks of upcoming projects and releases

• Writing strategies and tips to help aspiring authors

• Early access to merch and project announcements

• Updates on Guardians of the Secret Seal game development

Subscription Options I’ve set up flexible subscription options to make it as accessible as possible:

• One-Time Purchase: $10 for a single issue, perfect if you want to check it out and see what’s inside.

• Monthly Subscription: $6 per month gives you access to all the issues and exclusive content sent directly to your inbox.

• Annual Subscription: For $60 per year, you get 12 issues (2 free!), early access, and more savings in the long run.

Supporting My Future Projects By subscribing to Behind the Seal, you’re not just getting exclusive content—you’re also directly supporting my future endeavors. Every subscription helps fund the creation of new books, games, and exciting projects in The Secret Seal universe and beyond. Your support allows me to continue doing what I love: creating stories, games, and experiences for you to enjoy.

I’m excited to bring this magazine to life and share these special moments and insights with all of you. Your support through Behind the Seal helps me grow and explore even more creative ideas. Thank you for being a part of this journey!