00:00:00 Shreya Nag: Have you ever noticed how the stories we return to again and again usually are not just entertainment, they are mirrors. They show us what we fear, what we hope for, and what we are still learning to face. And today, we are stepping into a world of epic adventure and spiritual warfare, and also a simple word that can soften a heavy day smile.

00:00:31 Shreya Nag: Welcome back to the Soul Mirror, where we explore the patterns behind the person through honest conversation, reflection, and meaning. I'm your host, and today I'm joined by Terrence L Rotering and the author of the ten book Chronicles series, a sweeping blend of fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual warfare. We are talking about what it takes to build a world across ten books, and how the idea of smile can actually become something deeper than a mood, more like a practice. If you have ever wondered why certain stories heal you or wake you up, this one is for you. Welcome, Terrence. I'm honored to have you on my show.

00:01:13 Terence L. Rotering: Thank you very much. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for having me.

00:01:17 Shreya Nag: Thank you so much. And, Terrence, like, before we get into the series, when you look back, what was the first moment you realized I'm not just telling stories. I'm trying to say something about being human.

00:01:33 Terence L. Rotering: So when I first started my very first book, I did it for my young boys because I wanted to show them that they could write a book, and because they were reading books, they were very small and they didn't really know. They kind of thought they were magical, like, who makes these books? So I wanted to show them that they could have a voice in the world. Um, and of course, being a father, I wanted to teach them, uh, some of the values and some of the wisdom that I had learned over time. So I used the characters within the book to do that. Um, and it was very simple when it started out. But as it grew through a number of different things that we hopefully we have time to get into, I call them God winks. I realized that, you know, it was taking on a much bigger purpose than just teaching my kids. Um, I was actually trying to teach, you know, everybody, some of my wisdom. Not that I'm that smart, much smarter than anybody else. But as we know, wisdom comes from experience and time. And, you know, as I got older, I had more and more time, so I accumulated more wisdom to share.

00:02:31 Shreya Nag: I love that framing because it's really why I want to write a book. And more often I cannot express this.

00:02:42 Terence L. Rotering: So I would just I would recommend, just as a quick, um, thing just to say is, you know, the biggest enemy, if you will, of a writer, is trying to figure out what to write down, and then you're staring at a blank piece of paper and, you know, everybody knows it's just the hardest time is just trying to fill that paper. And once you have something down on paper, it's a lot easier. Technology has made it much easier. The way I write all my books is I walk with my phone and I just talk into it. And so I establish the characters and they start talking to themselves, and they end up coming up with a lot of the wisdom. You know, obviously it's coming from subconscious and, and other places, but they they develop the wisdom and the things to say. And then they just kind of bring me along with them. And so I get back to my computer, I send what I, you know, just talked into the phone, into my computer, and now all of a sudden, I'm not looking at that blank piece of paper anymore, and I just fix the punctuation and all that. And now I have the beginnings of a story, and it kind of gains momentum as you as you get going, you, you find out that it's easier and easier just because you have something already. You've you've written.

00:03:47 Shreya Nag: Yes. And like, I'm really curious. When people hear fantasy, science fiction, and especially spiritual warfare, there can be assumptions. So what do you think people commonly misunderstand about these genres, especially when you're using them to explore truth?

00:04:07 Terence L. Rotering: So, you know, spiritual warfare, I think we probably mostly agree that there's things that we can't see. I mean, science is finding out all the time, you know, that, you know, as we've gone through history and look through our history books, there's things we know now, obviously, that we didn't know then. So we're discovering things all the time. And for us to think that there's things that there aren't, there isn't anything that our five senses don't pick up is kind of ridiculous, too, right? Because we have instruments and things that see a lot. Just tons of stuff, you know, photons and atoms and all this stuff that we can't see. So we know there's there's things out there that we can't experience with our five senses, at least not directly. So when it comes to spiritual warfare. I mean, obviously it believes or it depends on your belief systems. And lots of people have different worldviews and belief systems, um, about God and about angels and demons and all that. But, you know, these are my books. And so, you know, this is my truth, if you will. I believe in absolute truth as, as opposed to individual truth. So, um, I do believe that these things exist and that there's good and evil in the world as well as in the part of the world that we can't see. So there's forces there that are fighting for us and fighting against us. And, um, you know, they influence the characters in the books just like they influence real people in the real world. And so the misunderstandings are probably that, you know, that if you pick up a book that's got spiritual warfare in it, that it's going to necessarily be preaching your worldview. Um, that's not necessarily true. I will say that I, you know, obviously my worldview is incorporated in, in these books. I mean, I'd be I'd be lying to say it isn't. Um, but I think it's important for everybody to acknowledge that there is, no spiritual warfare going on and it does affect our lives. And then the other two genres, major, major genres, there are fantasy and science fiction. And, you know, they have the majority of what the books are just for entertainment. And then I also try to explore all those different areas of spirituality that we kind of all know exist, but maybe don't think about enough.

00:06:05 Speaker 1: Yes, I think that's really.

00:06:07 Shreya Nag: Powerful because the label can make people miss the invitation. And I think sometimes fantasy is not escape. It's a safer doorway into reality.

00:06:19 Terence L. Rotering: Yes. And one other thing that you just bringing that up just made me think of is whether we know it or not. Um, if you go and you watch a movie or read a book about fantasy or spiritual or science fiction, you are being told and taught a worldview, whether it's, you know, nihilism or, you know, eastern mysticism or, you know, there isn't a God, or God is bad or the occult. Those are all in all of those major, uh, shows that we watch and, and the books that we read. So you're getting spiritual or spiritual aspects? Um, in all of those stories anyways, they're just not up front with what they're doing. So what I'm trying to do is to give people a different alternative if they so choose. Um, what I believe is, is more true. And the reasons that I think that's important is because all those other worldviews that I've just discussed or brought up, they kind of teach that, you know, the there isn't order, there's just chaos in the universe. People aren't that important. They don't have purpose. You know, there's there's and it just leads to them being alone and despair and a bunch of questions. And I'm trying to provide the opposite to that, that there is order and design. People are important. People are unique and, and and they're all special. And there is hope and there are answers. So at the very least, I'm trying to tell people, go out and search for those things and don't just accept, you know what, what's on the TV or what book you've been given? Um, no. That you should be looking for what is really true. Um, because it's going to be really important to you in your life.

00:07:50 Speaker 1: So yes.

00:07:53 Shreya Nag: And I think let's deal with that. Like, uh, why for a moment, like ten books is really a commitment. It's a devotion. So what Deeper trade has been pulling you through this Chronicle series? Like what inner, uh, questions or theme kept returning as you wrote?

00:08:13 Terence L. Rotering: I think it's, you know, we're all born with the same kind of questions, whether we're raised, you know, in a worldview, in a, in a belief system or not. You know, our, you know, we're, you know, the critical questions of all time, you know, like, why am I here? You know, where am I going? What is the reason that I'm here? Um, how should I be treating other people? Are they important? And is everything that I see around me really true, or am I being deceived somehow? So, you know, all of those questions we all have. And so we're going to fill those answers with something. Um, and I think it's it's more important to be intentional about discovering what the answers to those questions are, as opposed to just letting them, you know, take over us and, and just falling into a belief system that we haven't really thought about because, you know, it's going to it's going to affect how we live our lives, whether we're like, you know, you're with your podcast, are you happy? Um, are you fulfilled? Are you you know, what is the purpose of your life? Um, is it affecting your your healing and is it affecting your health? I mean, all of those things are going to be affected by, I believe, your worldview and whether whether your reality is, is aligned with what is actually true. So that's why I think it's important. And that's why for me also, I was searching for the same answers. And so I have a, you know, a bunch of God winks if we have five minutes to talk about them, you decide. But they are just things that happened along with writing these books that kind of told me, you know there's something more going on here than just me coming up with a story. I feel like I'm discovering the story, and I feel like it's important for, you know, some of these reasons that, you know, if you want to go into them, we can.

00:09:51 Shreya Nag: Yeah. Um, and I think I hear a kind of a lifelong conversation in that. And also like when you say spiritual warfare, some people picture something really dramatic and really external, but in real life it can look quite subtle. What does that battle look like in everyday human terms and inside thoughts, relationships, temptations? Your numbness?

00:10:19 Terence L. Rotering: Wow, you just hit on them all. We could spend hours talking about those, right? I think everybody kind of knows what those are. Um, as soon as you have an interaction, well before you even have an interaction with another person, I think when you're waking up in the morning, you're thinking through your day, or you're feeling the different things that are bothering you with your body, or you have some doubts, or you're remembering the day before and you're kind of sad, or you're thinking about the trials that you have ahead of you. So you're already, you know, that spiritual warfare is already going on in your mind. You're already being attacked, if you will, whether it's by, you know, dramatic forces in the background, in the heavenly realms, or if it's just your own person, you know, trying to sort through your life so that that begins. And then as soon as you have your first interaction with a person, you know, how did they treat you? Did you perceive them with your senses that they treated you the wrong way? Um, and then you start thinking about, well, why are they doing that? And then you come up with a bunch of things that may or may not be true, and you start reacting to those. And how do I react with anger with, you know, do I, you know, uh, return volley after volley or do I, you know, exhibit some kind of love or patience with that? You know, so and that goes on through, throughout your day. So all of the different pressures that are on you, all the different, um, things that are bothering you, all of your different physical ailments and all the different people that you have in your relationships are all affecting that spiritual warfare, that spirit being your your mind and how you're thinking about things. So yeah. So I think we're constantly under attack, if you will. Um, depending on, you know, what you believe, either by forces that are there to, you know, attack you or just yourself with all your doubts and fears and, and the different people in your lives and the, the complicated relationships that they bring.

00:12:02 Shreya Nag: Yes. I think that part lands because the hardest fights are not always loud. Sometimes it's simply the battle between despair and the next small choice toward life. And I think you just said that perfectly. And like, uh, I, I, I, I really want to shift into smile like, people here smile and think, be positive. But I am guessing you mean something more grounded. So what does mild stand for or like represent in your work and in your life?

00:12:36 Terence L. Rotering: So when I wake up in the morning, we talked about, you know, how do you start your day thinking about the things you're going to do and the things that happened and you know, how you're feeling and all that stuff. And I and I'm not one hundred percent all the time like this, but but I really try every morning to remember. And the more I thought about it, the more I do I think about smiles. So I, I actively smile, and then I think about what the different letters mean and the way I, I interpret them or thinking about them is service, mission, intentionality, legacy and eternity. And so, you know, it can be religious or it doesn't have to be religious. And so, because a lot of your followers may or may not have the same worldview that I have, I'll I'll look at it in a way that's not purely Christian, if you will. So service, what does that mean? Who do I serve? What am I doing? You know, who am I serving myself? Am I serving my community? You know, there's people that have jobs and different things, whether it be community, your boss, your, your maybe you have a business, you know, your family, you're taking care of your family. Who is it that I serve? So I think through that real quickly. Then what is my mission and my mission? I came from an Air Force background, you know, a life of military service. So, um, I think of a mission as kind of the tactical level, the lower level. What am I going to do today? What am I thinking about is my most important three things say to do today. That is my mission. I want to be successful at those things. And then a really important thing. And it's actually the center there of smile is intentionality. You have to go out intentionally and do these things. You have to think about what you're going to do. What is your action going to be to accomplish that mission for the day? Because if you just think about it, but you don't do anything, obviously that doesn't accomplish anything and it doesn't have a relationship with anyone. And then legacy, the reason we're doing that is kind of the strategic level, so that anybody knows that if you start working out or you're studying something or you're writing or whatever, if you can consistently do it a little bit every day, after a certain period of time, you've really accomplished something, and you can look back on it and be proud of it. And that's what that legacy is, is what do I want to look back on my in my life or this year or today and go, you know, I was successful. And if you if you set that goal and you've come up with actions intentionally to do them, you're going to you're going to have results at the end of the day or the year or your life. And so you can look back and you can be proud of a day that was well spent or a life that was well lived. And then finally eternity. Um, you know, they, you know, a lot of the movies that we have and stuff now, like, I can't Gladiator, you know, um, your, your actions will ring out in eternity and you know, that, that kind of thing. And from a from a godly point of view, Christian point of view, it's like, where are you going to spend your life? Or how will you influence other people about with their lives and with their eternity? Very important thing. So it starts out very small, just waking up in the morning and smiling. And then it kind of it kind of sets a, um, an architecture, if you will, for your life just to kind of live and just to be intentionally thinking about the things you want to do to accomplish, to have a successful life. So when you're hit by all of those things that are troubling you in the morning, um, you know, your own feelings, how you, you know, your body, other people, you you already have a course that you're on, and it's easier to upset or it's easier to upset a person that isn't already moving forward with momentum on a course than it is someone that's, you know, doesn't really know what they're going to do with their day. So you kind of take control of your life. And I think that's really the key to smile is just being in control of your own life.

00:16:02 Shreya Nag: Yeah, I really appreciate that because you are not asking people to pretend you are offering a pathway, uh, a way to return to themselves. One step, one letter, one breath at a time. And, uh, if someone is listening right now and thinking, I can't access joy, my life is really heavy. What is the smallest, most realistic way to practice? Smile without forcing it.

00:16:31 Terence L. Rotering: Um. So what we're really talking about is that action then I think is what you're you're getting to. Um, I think no matter who you are and what you're doing, if you sit down for five minutes and think about, um, the acronym of smile and just, you know, think about service and mission, and it might not be easy. It's hard, you know, if you're trying to do anything important, it's probably not going to be easy. Um, but but I think as we've all learned, the more you do something, the easier it does get. So. So when you think about what is what, who am I serving and what is my mission for for today? I mean, that can have different bunch of different words. It doesn't have to be service and mission. That's just me coming from a military background. Um, but the concept is everybody has something they want to do today, and all I'm, all I'm trying to say is actually think about that and think about how you're going to do it. Um, and so, you know, we're we're all differ on what we think are important things to do today and where we want to go. But everybody has that. And and so the real key to this is just if you put a little thought behind it, you can be successful with whatever you want to do by just thinking about it and planning just a little bit. And another really important part of that is to be where your feet are, and that's to be present right now. A lot of times we wake up thinking about yesterday, thinking about the future tomorrow, you know, yesterday's gone, the future. We don't know what's going to happen. It's a bunch of question marks. It's a thousand different possibilities. It's important to learn from the past and plan for the future. And what I'm saying here is we should be planning. But but right now, today is what is really important. It's really the only time we ever have. So I think anybody and everybody has something they want to accomplish. I'm just kind of saying through smile, you can just give yourself a way of, of doing just a little bit of looking forward today to set a course to accomplish that.

00:18:23 Shreya Nag: Yeah, I think that that's like a compassionate and I think it's very doable, not a performance. It's more more like a gentle re-entry into being human. And I think here is something I think every listener will relate to. We can have a really powerful moment, finish a chapter, feel inspired, feel spiritually steady, and then life hits. Old patterns return. Doubt returns. What tends to help you come back when you drift, both as a writer, across a long series, and also as a person trying to stay aligned?

00:19:01 Terence L. Rotering: Yeah. So I think, um, you know, I'm a Christian, so I have to say, reading my Bible and the truth that I get from that is very inspiring. And I believe the Holy Spirit actually works through that to help me. And that's been really strong in my life. But I would also say just something that everybody can use is, even if you're not a writer, um, develop just a couple characters and write down, you know, their names. And then if you're if you're struggling with a decision or something, you know, just have them talk to each other. What I find when I'm writing a book or, you know, a chapter like you, like you said, if I get stuck, I just bring up the characters and they start talking. And it's really some of my probably my subconscious talking through the characters, but things that I can't access consciously, consciously through those characters. When they start talking, they start leading me down a path where I start discovering things and you start thinking of all kinds of things. Maybe you don't have someone to talk to a close friend today to talk to. Well, you can have your characters start talking to each other and it sounds silly, but try it. It really does work. And so I get through, uh, stumps, if I will, if you will, in chapters in my books that way, because they lead me to something and all of a sudden I know where I'm going and I'm like, where did that come from? And I think it can also be the same with, with, uh, just having different voices that talk to each other and sort through problems that everybody's having in their life. I think they can actually, um, come up with solutions and you'd be surprised where they can bring you. You'll think of all kinds of things you never thought of before when you're just sitting there thinking to yourself just by having different characters and giving them voices. So I guess it's kind of the same as journaling. I mean, people journal for that same reason. Um, so it's kind of the same concept.

00:20:41 Shreya Nag: I think that's such a real truth. Like alignment is not a one time achievement. I think it's a practice of returning again and again with humility. And also for my listeners who feels like they are in a battle right now, maybe not with the world, but with their own mind. What would you want to say to the part of them that's tired of fighting?

00:21:05 Terence L. Rotering: Oh, yeah. So, um, I guess I would like, like them to realize that, you know, as exhausted as they are, we all go through the same battles and and not everybody shows it, you know, in this disconnected world that we live in. I think that's probably one of the biggest reasons that we have a lot of the issues that we have is because we, you know, relationship is very important to us. We're very social beings, and we need to be around other people and to be sharing things with them and to receive, you know, love, if you will, um, from them. So because we're so socially disconnected with the internet and everything else, I think we've gotten away from that. And so a lot of people are struggling with that. So if they're struggling, I would I would like them to know that everybody is struggling. It's not what they just see on their Facebook where everybody's life is perfect, or on TV where all the actors lives are perfect. We're all struggling with the same stuff, and we're all searching and looking, um, and if they're tired, they should know that, you know, they're, you know, there is strength that comes to give themselves a little bit of, um, forgiveness, if you will, for that. And just to realize that, you know, they're no different than anybody else. Um, and also probably really important along with that is probably because they've, they've said, well, I haven't solved this problem or I've made mistakes or, and to realize that as long as you're here, you have a purpose and you can and you can redirect that just like chapters in a book, you know, the character in one chapter might be really struggling and life is terrible. But you know, the next page turns and, you know, the situation changes. The people in your life change. I would say just get out and be with people, because I think that social aspect and that relational aspect will heal you. Um, of a lot of the problems that you're having. And if you can actually talk to people, or even if you're on characters, if they aren't around, they can lead you to solutions. So just know there's there's good things that can happen around the corner.

00:22:53 Shreya Nag: Yes. really beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. And uh, also I want to like, say if there is one thing I'm taking from this conversation is that our stories don't just entertain us. They reveal where we are healing and where we are being asked to choose life again. And this is truly a very wonderful and a very heartfelt, warm conversation, I think. And if after this, my listeners want to connect with you, then what's the best way?

00:23:20 Terence L. Rotering: Okay, so it's Terrence Rotering t e r r e n c e and last name rotering r o t e r I n g. If you can Google that. If you have Google, um, it'll bring up the books and, and talk about the books otherwise. And you can find me that way or you can go to Chronicles of Trinian t r I n I a n all one word dot com, and there's a email connection on there. And you can always email me and I'll feel free to do so because I'll, I'll answer all the emails that I get and, and you can connect me with me that way. So either of those ways would work great.

00:23:52 Shreya Nag: Yes. And I will make sure to attach all these details and links below, so that the listeners can find them easily and get in touch with you and know more from you and from my listeners. As you leave this episode, I want to offer a small invitation. Notice the battle that shows up most quietly in you, and then choose one gentle action that brings you back to yourself. Even if it's small, even it's imperfect. And this is the sole mirror. And if today's conversation reflected something tender or true, then share it with someone who might need it. I'm Shreya and I will see you in the next episode. And do not forget to hit the follow button. Subscribe and feel free to share your thoughts because your ears deserve premium content. Thank you.