Author name: Roger Hyttinen

So here’s the thing about luck: we all secretly want to believe it’s real. Like, really real. That one mystical force that decides whether you find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk or spill coffee on your shirt right before a job interview.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said,  “Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”  And honestly, it’s one of those quotes that makes you pause mid-sip and go, “Wait, ouch—was that directed at me?”

Because if we’re being honest, most of us flirt with the idea of luck all the time. I know I do. I’ve blamed bad luck for a book not selling well, or for missing a train by twelve seconds, or for my sourdough starter mysteriously dying overnight. But Emerson’s quote is basically the 19th-century version of, “Stop blaming Mercury retrograde and look at your choices.”

What Emerson Actually Meant

When he says “shallow men,” I don’t think he’s talking about people who wear too much cologne and use “bro” unironically. He means people who look at outcomes and assume they’re random—like life is one big slot machine.

The “strong” ones, on the other hand, are the ones who understand that results come from action, consistency, and a whole lot of unglamorous effort. Cause and effect. You do X, you get Y. Or, if you’re like me, you do X and get a weird version of Y that needs editing.

Luck vs. Effort

Say someone lands their dream job and we all go, “Wow, they’re so lucky.” But behind the curtain, that same person spent years networking, building a portfolio, sending follow-up emails, and probably crying over rejection letters in their kitchen. That’s not luck—that’s persistence, caffeine, and maybe some good timing, but timing only matters if you’re already ready.

Or take athletes. People say, “He’s lucky to be that talented.” No, he’s been running drills since fifth grade while the rest of us were eating Pop-Tarts and pretending gym class was optional. That’s cause and effect in motion.

Writers, musicians, entrepreneurs—it’s the same deal. There’s a mountain of invisible effort behind every “overnight success.” What we call luck is usually just someone else’s long-term effort finally showing up publicly. Luck is the shiny packaging; cause and effect is the machinery inside.

That Time Someone Complimented My Camera

A while back, someone looked at one of my photos and said, “Wow, your camera takes great pictures.” And I know they meant it as a compliment, but I was… kind of insulted.

Because it wasn’t the  camera  that got up at 5 a.m. to catch that sunrise. It wasn’t the camera that spent years learning composition, lighting, and how to make the most of a bad angle. The camera’s a tool—it does what it’s told. The person behind it is the one doing the seeing.

That comment stuck with me, though. It’s the same way people talk about luck. They see the final result—whether it’s a beautiful photo, a finished book, or a thriving business—and they credit some external thing: “You’re lucky,” “You have a great camera,” “You’re naturally talented.” But all of those phrases skip over the hours of effort that made the end result  look  easy.

But What About Chance?

I don’t think Emerson meant we have to become stoic robots who deny the element of chance. Life does throw curveballs. Sometimes you just happen to meet the right person at the right time, or stumble into a weird opportunity because you took the wrong exit.

But even then—here’s the fun part—cause and effect still plays a role. You were open enough, curious enough, brave enough to be there in the first place. That’s not luck. That’s positioning.

A Personal Example

Years ago, I met someone at a café because I accidentally sat at their table (introvert nightmare). We got to chatting, and that conversation led to a freelance project, which led to another, which helped me pay my bills during a really dry spell.

People later said, “What a lucky break!” But if I hadn’t taken my laptop to that café, or said “sorry” instead of scuttling away, it never would’ve happened. See? Cause. And effect.

Why We Love the Idea of Luck

We all like to believe in luck because it takes the pressure off. If things don’t work out, we can shrug and say, “Wasn’t my lucky day.” But believing in cause and effect means we have to take responsibility.

It means if something doesn’t work, maybe it’s because our approach needs adjusting—not because the universe is ignoring us. That can sting, but it’s also empowering. It puts us in the driver’s seat.

Playing the Long Game

Cause and effect doesn’t always pay off immediately. You might do everything right and still not see results for months, maybe years. But that’s not proof that luck is in charge—it’s just proof that the world operates on its own weird timeline.

It’s like planting seeds. You can water them, give them sunlight, and whisper encouraging things, but you can’t force them to sprout on your schedule.

Taking Emerson’s Advice to Heart

When I read Emerson’s quote, I think of it less as a diss to “shallow” people and more as a gentle nudge to stop waiting for someone else to flip the switch. You make your own cause. You create your own effect.

And the more you stack those deliberate actions, the more “luck” you seem to have. It’s sneaky that way.

Final Thoughts

So maybe luck isn’t a real force after all. Maybe it’s just the visible echo of preparation colliding with opportunity. That’s a little less magical—but a lot more doable.

Anyway, here’s to being “strong” in the Emersonian sense: showing up, trying again, and pretending luck has nothing to do with it… even when you secretly cross your fingers under the table.

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Every kingdom has its enemies. For Tregaron, that enemy is Lord Vadok—a sorcerer with a taste for vengeance and a plan to topple King Jamros. But when the battle turns personal, Prince Norian discovers that the price of survival is far higher than he imagined. Cursed by a werewolf’s bite, he must learn to master the beast within before it destroys everything he loves. Norian’s Gamble – Available here (or at your favorite online retailer)

I’ve been a privacy aficionado for close to two decades now, which is basically ancient in internet years. Back then, we were all tossing our MySpace passwords around like confetti and posting entire family albums on Facebook without a second thought. Now, every time I see a pop-up asking for cookie consent, I sigh deeply, make tea, and wish we’d collectively learned a bit more self-preservation online.

Anyway, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned along the way about keeping your digital life, well, yours. Because if you’re reading this in 2025, odds are some app, ad network, or slightly shady data broker is already trying to figure out how long you lingered on this sentence.

Passwords: The Key to the Kingdom (So Stop Using “123456”)

Let’s start with the obvious one. Your password is basically your first (and often last) line of defense. If you’re still using something like “ilovecats” or your birth year, please, I beg you—retire it.

Use a password manager. Seriously. Bitwarden, 1Password, Proton Pass—take your pick. They’ll create long, ugly, random passwords like “zL3!pX#h2R9w@” that even you won’t remember (and that’s the point). All you have to do is remember  one  master password that’s complex but memorable to you.

And for the love of your sanity, turn on two-factor authentication. Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, you’ll grumble when you have to grab your phone to log in. But that minor inconvenience is what keeps hackers from waltzing into your accounts like they own the place.

VPNs: Your Digital Cloak of Invisibility

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) isn’t magic, but it’s close. Think of it as slipping into a digital disguise. When you use one, your online activity gets rerouted through an encrypted tunnel, making it much harder for anyone—be it your internet provider, government snoop, or curious hacker at the coffee shop—to see what you’re up to.

I’ve been using VPNs since before most people even knew what they were, and it’s wild how far they’ve come. Back in the day, they were slow, buggy, and constantly disconnecting. Now, services like ProtonVPN, Mullvad, or NordVPN are fast, reliable, and don’t log your data.

Just don’t use the free ones. If you’re not paying for the product,  you  are the product.

Email: Ditch the Freebies

I used to be a Gmail devotee, until I realized how much data Google collects about you just by reading your emails. Now I use Proton Mail, which is privacy-focused and encrypted end to end. It’s sleek, secure, and doesn’t shove ads down your throat based on the content of your messages.

Tutanota is another good one. Sure, you might have to pay a few bucks a month, but you’re buying peace of mind—and fewer creepy ads for the thing you mentioned once in an email to your aunt.

Don’t Click That Link

This one’s simple: never click a link in an email or text message unless you’re 100% sure who it’s from. Even then, be suspicious. Phishing scams are getting trickier—sometimes they even  look  like your bank’s website, right down to the logo.

If you get an email saying “urgent account notice,” ignore the link and go directly to the website yourself. Nine times out of ten, it’s a scam trying to trick you into giving away your password or credit card info.

Encrypt Everything

Encryption sounds intimidating, but it’s really just a fancy word for “scrambling your stuff so only you can read it.” You can encrypt files on your computer, your external drives, and even your messages.

On macOS, FileVault does this automatically if you turn it on. On Windows, you can use BitLocker. There are even apps like VeraCrypt or Cryptomator that let you create encrypted folders you can lock up like a safe.

If someone steals your laptop, at least they’ll have to work a lot harder than just guessing your password to get your data.

The Cloud: Not as Fluffy as It Looks

I love the convenience of iCloud and Google Drive, but I don’t trust them with everything. Once you upload something to “the cloud,” it’s not really  yours  anymore.

Use encrypted cloud storage if you’re uploading sensitive stuff—Sync.com, Proton Drive, and Tresorit are good options. They encrypt your files before they even leave your computer. So even if someone broke into their servers, all they’d see is gibberish.

Social Media: The Oversharing Trap

This one’s tough, because social media is addictive by design. But before you post that vacation pic or rant about your new job, remember—once it’s online, it’s basically public.

Facebook and X (ugh, I still call it Twitter) track everything. Every like, every click, every DM. Their business model  depends  on knowing you better than you know yourself. I treat social media like I treat public restrooms: use them when you must, wash your hands afterward, and don’t linger longer than necessary.

My Privacy Philosophy

After nearly twenty years of this, I’ve realized privacy isn’t about paranoia—it’s about boundaries. It’s about deciding how much of  you  the internet gets to have.

I still shop online. I still use social media. But I do it with my digital armor on. VPN running. Passwords locked down. Files encrypted. And maybe a tin-foil hat nearby, just in case.

If you start making even small changes—like using a password manager or switching to a privacy-first email—you’ll feel a surprising sense of relief. Like, “ah, yes, I control this tiny corner of the internet, and it’s mine alone.”

Stay private, my friends. And don’t click suspicious links. Ever.

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What starts as a tiny clay figure dancing on a kitchen table spirals into a battle for humanity’s soul. The Alignment of Shadows is coming, and only David’s bond with his golem can hold the darkness at bay. The Golem’s Guardian – Available Now!

First Impressions: Same Magic, Different Rent Bracket

Okay, so here’s the thing: I’ve spent way too much of my life reading both YA fantasy and adult urban fantasy, and it’s wild how they can look like twins at first glance but are actually distant cousins once you get to know them. Both have magic, monsters, and that delicious little “what if” hovering around the edges of reality—but they don’t quite live in the same neighborhood. YA fantasy is like the scrappy college roommate still figuring out who they are, while adult urban fantasy has already graduated, is paying taxes, and maybe owns a suspiciously well-stocked liquor cabinet.

YA Fantasy: The Age of Discovery (and Drama)

YA fantasy stories often orbit around identity—the who-am-I and who-can-I-be kind of questions. The protagonist is usually somewhere between fifteen and nineteen, which means they’re living through that gloriously awkward stage of self-discovery where you’re equal parts hopeful and chaotic. Think of characters like Clary Fray from The Mortal Instruments or Aelin from Throne of Glass. The whole world is new to them, and they’re just realizing that the weird thing they thought made them a freak might actually make them powerful. YA thrives on that transformation—it’s all about learning to claim your magic, your voice, and your space in the world.

Adult Urban Fantasy: The Rent Is Due and the Magic’s Tired

Adult urban fantasy, on the other hand, tends to pick up after the identity crisis has already been filed away under “past mistakes.” The protagonists know who they are—or at least they pretend they do—and the stories are often about what it costs to keep being that person. They’ve got jobs (sometimes as private investigators, bounty hunters, or librarians with suspicious side hustles), rent to pay, maybe an ex or two they still text at midnight, and a cynicism level that would make a YA hero cry into their latte. These stories live in the grit. The magic doesn’t usually feel like a shiny new toy—it’s more like a curse you’ve learned to live with.

The Emotional Core: Heart vs. Haunting

YA fantasy also tends to lean heavier on emotion and relationships—friendships, found families, first loves, heartbreaks. The stakes often feel personal: saving your best friend, your high school, or the cute vampire who may or may not be trying to kill you. Adult urban fantasy still has those emotional threads, but they’re wrapped in more complicated layers—betrayal, trauma, redemption, and the weight of responsibility. Instead of “how do I survive prom night with werewolves?” it’s “how do I survive myself after everything I’ve done?” You feel the difference in tone—the YA spark versus the adult sigh.

The World Itself: Hidden Wonder vs. Magic Bureaucracy

And let’s talk about the worlds for a second. YA urban fantasy usually treats the magical world as something hidden behind a curtain that the protagonist accidentally yanks open. There’s awe in it. They’re like, “Oh my god, vampires are real?” while the adult UF protagonist is more like, “Ugh, vampires again? I just cleaned this mess up.” The tone shift is everything. YA magic feels new and exciting; adult magic feels like bureaucracy—messy, political, often annoying.

Love in Two Timelines

Another big giveaway is how romance is handled. YA romance is usually a big emotional arc: the pining, the longing, the “oh no, he’s my sworn enemy but his hair looks really good today.” It’s about firsts—first kiss, first heartbreak, first time realizing you’d kill a demon for someone who texts you with heart emojis.
Adult urban fantasy, though, often comes with messier relationships. Love triangles are replaced with past lovers who show up at the worst time, morally gray flings, and that slow-burn tension that stretches across three books and involves more whiskey and regret than teenage angst.

Tone and Stakes: Hope vs. Consequences

Tone-wise, YA urban fantasy usually carries more optimism. Even when things go dark (and they can get pretty dark), there’s often a light at the end of the tunnel—a sense that everything will work out, or at least that the main character will come out stronger. Adult UF doesn’t always promise that. Sometimes the hero wins, but it costs them something they can’t get back. That’s part of the allure: it feels lived-in, like the world has already gone through a few apocalypses and is just trying to get through another Tuesday.

Pacing and Style: Curfew vs. Coffee Break

When you look at pacing, YA often rockets forward like it’s late for curfew—fast chapters, snappy dialogue, emotional gut punches. Adult urban fantasy tends to take its time setting up the world, letting you soak in the grime of it all. It’s less about the big reveal and more about survival—keeping your head above water in a city where everyone’s got an angle.

Why We Need Both

And yet, despite all the differences, I kind of love how they feed each other. YA fantasy gives us that wonder we all need to remember—why magic felt special in the first place. Adult urban fantasy shows us what happens when you try to live with it long-term, when the shine wears off and you’re left with consequences. One is the dream; the other is the bill.

So, next time you’re reading a story about witches in high school versus witches who run a dive bar and occasionally raise the dead for rent money, pay attention to how it feels. Is it about discovery or survival? Hope or endurance? Either way, both genres are magical in their own right—and honestly, we’re lucky to have both on our shelves.

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David just wanted a distraction. Instead, his clay sculpture blinked, waved—and obeyed. Now he’s the accidental master of a mythical golem, and Brooklyn is about to need every ounce of its power. The Golem’s Guardian – get your copy HERE