Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: July 5th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
How Polly Ingraham Turned an Unconventional Marriage Into a Must-Read Memoir
In the latest episode of Storycomic Presents, I have the pleasure of speaking with Polly Merritt Ingraham, author of Unconverted: Memoir of a Marriage. This compelling memoir delves into Polly's experience of being an agnostic married to a devout Episcopal bishop. Through heartfelt storytelling, she examines the challenges and triumphs of maintaining individuality within a deeply committed relationship.
Polly's narrative offers a unique perspective on interfaith marriage, highlighting the importance of mutual respect, open communication, and personal growth. Her journey is a testament to the power of love and the human capacity to bridge profound differences.
During our conversation, Polly shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her memoir, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Whether you're interested in memoir writing, exploring the dynamics of interfaith relationships, or simply enjoy stories of personal transformation, this episode offers valuable perspectives.
Unconverted: Memoir of a Marriage is available through Rootstock Publishing and major booksellers. To learn more about Polly's work and upcoming events, visit her official website at pollyingraham.com.
Project Update: Back to the Game Board
This week, I’ve been diving back into Appliance: The Game and doing some refresher reading of the FATE Core system to remind myself how it all works. It’s been a bit since I was deep in game design mode, so brushing up on mechanics, rules, and how FATE handles narrative-driven gameplay has been super helpful.
Alongside that, I’ve been rereading everything I’ve written for Appliance so far—getting reacquainted with where I left off, what still holds up, and what pieces might need tweaking. It’s exciting to step back into this creative space again and start piecing it all back together.
Book Review: U.N. Adventure: Mission to Molowa – Diplomacy, Decisions, and Global Thrills
As someone who’s always had a soft spot for Choose Your Own Adventure books (and has even had the pleasure of hosting a few Chooseco authors on the podcast), I was really excited to dive into U.N. Adventure: Mission to Molowa. And I’ve got to say—it did not disappoint!
What really stood out to me with this one is how refreshingly different it is from the usual sci-fi, fantasy, or wild survival settings that these books often lean into. Instead, Mission to Molowa drops you into the world of international diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and real-world problem-solving. You take on the role of a young diplomat sent to help the fictional nation of Molowa through a crisis—and your choices shape how that story unfolds.
It’s fast-paced, engaging, and surprisingly educational without ever feeling like it’s trying to teach you a lesson. The stakes feel grounded but important—bridging cultural gaps, navigating tough decisions, and figuring out how to do the most good in a complicated world.
I really appreciated how this book shows that adventure doesn’t have to mean laser beams or pirate treasure. Sometimes, the most thrilling stories are about communication, empathy, and critical thinking. Plus, the usual joy of flipping back and forth to see where your decisions lead is always a blast.
If you love Choose Your Own Adventure or just want a break from dragons and spaceships, U.N. Adventure: Mission to Molowa is a really fun change of pace.
Personal Update: Heatwaves, Hard Drives, and a Hilltop Getaway
This past week came in hot—literally. We had a stretch of three super hot days, and of course, that’s when the air conditioner at the FM tower site decided it was done with life. So, I found myself swapping out the AC unit in the middle of the heatwave to keep things cool and the broadcast signal happy.
On the digital side of things, I’ve been plugging away at getting the newspaper’s website up and running. Progress is happening, but I did hit a bit of a snag—figuring out how to properly manage the advertising inside the website’s framework has been a bit trickier than expected. Still, one step at a time.
On the much more relaxing side, the family and I spent a few nights at Steele Hill Resort. It was a really fun little getaway—lots of swimming, beautiful views, and just some quality time together away from the usual grind. Definitely a nice reset in the middle of the chaos.
