From Fighter Pilot to Fantasy Author: Finding Purpose After Retirement, with Terrence L. Rotering
transcript
show notes
Two decades flying fighter jets, fifteen more years at NORAD, and then a completely different chapter: eleven books blending science fiction, fantasy, and faith. Terrence Rotering never planned on becoming a writer.
On this episode of The Mindful Living, Terrence talks with Sana about what military discipline taught him about storytelling, why imagination matters at any age, and what he'd say to anyone who feels it's too late to begin something meaningful.
About the Guest:
Terrence L. Rotering spent twenty years in the United States Air Force flying F-111 and F-15E fighter aircraft, followed by fifteen years at NORAD. After retiring, he began writing The Chronicles of Trinian, an eleven book series blending science fiction, fantasy, and spiritual themes.
Key Takeaways:
- A career built on discipline can quietly prepare you for a completely different calling later.
- Imagination shapes how all of us understand our own experiences and each other, not just artists.
- Everyone has a unique place in the bigger picture, trying to be someone else crowds it out.
- It is never too late to try something you once said no to.
- Finding a place where your mind can wander freely matters more than the place itself.
Connect With the Guest:
Website: https://chroniclesoftrinian.com
YouTube: search "Terrence Rotering Author" on YouTube
Books: The Chronicles of Trinian series (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
Episode Chapters:
[00:00] Opening: what happens when discipline and imagination meet in one person (approx.)
[02:52] From the Air Force Academy to twenty years flying fighter jets
[05:57] Why writing came after retiring, not before
[10:14] What military discipline taught him about telling a coherent story
[16:52] Why imagination matters for everyone, not just writers or artists
[25:23] A message for anyone who feels it's too late to start something new
[28:06] The SMILE habit: service, mission, intentionality, legacy, eternity
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