Only the truth will do

Imagine a world where lies were highlighted the instant they were spoken and imagine how quickly the world would become a better place.

Let’s imagine for example…

…how 99% of politicians would be swept from power and into the dustbin of history, or better yet imprisoned for their lies and half-truths.

…how inept middle-managers will be booted from their cushy jobs when they can no longer blame their teams for their own shortcomings.

…how many interpersonal relationships would crumble when the light of truth shines upon them.

The subject of telling the truth, and the consequences of not doing so, is explored in the upcoming tale, Meet Chompy.

Another theme explored in the story, is that of good people fighting hidden battles and driven to do bad things; but what’s not known to the observer, is what fuels the individual’s actions.

Meet Chompy will be a novelette and is due for publication in the summer of 2025.

Cover for Meet Chompy

For more details on this story or others, please visit my website: Undelund Tales

False friends as inspiration

The upsides of having a true friend are manyfold. Among the positives, are that a true friend will accept you for who you are, cheer your successes, lift you when you're down, and be there for you through thick and thin. Behind your back they'll speak well of you, protect your reputation, and the friendship will be equitable and mutually beneficial.

Oftentimes the dangers of having a false (or foolish) friend are overlooked. Among the negatives, are that these people will drain your energy, lie to you, and drag you into unnecessary drama. Behind your back they will mock you, gossip about you, sabotage your efforts, and they take far more than they ever give.

Quite frankly, false or foolish friends are not the friends of anyone; and in my opinion, the people they are conning simply haven't connected the dots yet.

Like many others, I've suffered false “friends” and when I kicked the final one out of my life it's been a gift that keeps on giving. The moment I burned the bridge with that individual it felt like I had been reborn. My only regret wasn’t the decade lost to someone who I thought had my back, it was that I had ignored the red flags and befriended them in the first place.

Cover for The Oakmere Grynfang

It's been my experience dealing with false friends that inspired The Oakmere Grynfang. Without giving anything away, the story shows how it's better to walk alone than with fools.