Hello 2026

Another year of Mystery, Plot Twists, and Terror?

I’m not just talking about what you’re reading or writing, I’m talking about the real world we’re living in.

Last year gave us the shock of a world ruled by competing superpowers and the chaos created by an American President who is a ruthless reckless egomaniac exercising his power over the world’s largest economy and greatest military power.

He started negotiations to increase his influence over the world by holding American consumers hostage and demanding they pay their own ransom in the form of punitive tariffs on imports from every country on the planet. The era of globalisation and integration of economies with rigorously negotiated trade agreements and corporate supply chains optimized to the benefit of consumers and workers around the world was declared at an end.

The Trump tactics of bullying, bluff and bullshit applied to geopolitics and global economies and are leaving us all stunned in disbelief that intelligent and responsible American leadership and the institutions protecting freedom, democracy and civil rights and trusted to enforce the law are useless at restraining him from indulging his ego and his fantasies for America ruling the world. (Not to mention his demands for gratitude, respect, and a Nobel Peace Prize.)

We have learned that wishful thinking and hoping ‘this too shall pass’ is not an effective response and boycotts and ‘elbows up’ are not sufficient either. We need to be more strategic and accept that we have to play the game by new rules with new teammates against aggressive unpredictable new competitors who used to be our loyal friends and trusted partners.

In this environment, how do you and your family live a safe, prosperous, and rewarding life?

Some old rules still apply

• Choose your friends and business associates wisely.
• Accept the facts of life, including the inconvenient truth that some old friends and associates may no longer be trusted or counted on for support.
• Distinguish between the situations and circumstances you cannot control or avoid and those that you are able to influence toward better conclusions.
• Keep your head up to check for incoming missiles and monitor changes in the environment, then get your head down and work on building good relationships and processes that deliver the better results that you really want.
• Don’t settle for less than what you are capable of achieving.

What can we do about it?

We can all make difference and expedite an earlier end to this period of chaos and exploitation by the rich and powerful and return to a more generous, kind and caring world that will allow us all to take better care of each other. Let’s not give up on each other.

I’m inspired by the remarks of David Baldacci during his acceptance speech for another best novel award at Bouchercon in New Orleans last fall. He commented that when asked why he keeps on writing after more than sixty successful novels, he replies,  “because I’m trying to make a fucking difference! And I’m the guy whose first successful novel was about a narcissistic President who thought he was above the law.”

I want to write with a purpose too – to tell stories that entertain and inform and leave readers with ideas that will change attitudes and behaviour. Like David Baldacci. And many other bestselling authors whom I admire. I hope you have discovered some of them yourself.

Enjoy your reading and writing and I wish you well with your plans for 2026.

Del