September 16, 2014

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September 16, 2014

Winters' Day In

Sit down and have a cuppa...

Buy me a coffee at ko-fi.com/talenawinters .

Writer. Knitting pattern designer. Foodie. Tea addict. Book geek. Mom of boys. Aspiring mermaid. My Secret Wish: Be your most fabulous you.

Get more encouraging and knitterly posts by following me on Instagram @TalenaWinters.

I put some cinnamon in my almond milk latte today. #beautifulanddelicious . I finished up an editing project yesterday for the talented Jessica Renwick @jessicarenwickauthor. If you guys don't follow her yet, you should. Today, I'm doing some writing for Mighty Peace Tourism @mightypeacetourism and revving up for the next issue of Move Up magazine @moveupmag. Plus, this weekend I'll be heading to Edmonton and Calgary for four (!) book signings. Check the Events page on my website for details. www.talenawinters.com/events. . So, yeah, just a few things going on. It's good, because it's distracting me from what the horde of baby grasshoppers is doing to my garden. 😭 . What are you up to today, friend? . #writerslife #editorsofig #freelancelife #freelancewriter #freelanceeditor #booklover #gomightypeace #authorlife #coffeelover #homemadelatte #ketolatte #coffee #amwriting #amediting #writersofig #authorsofig

#nofilter #moonshot #happyfriday

I love this so, so much. I edited this book by @jessicarenwickauthor, so I know it's awesome. Now I'm secretly hoping that @overthemoonyarn will be inspired by The Undine's Tear. Meanwhile, yarn and book love to the max over here! (Reposted image.)

I got home from my weekend away to find that I had a book to ship to a giveaway winner, PLUS the first half of my conversation with podcaster and author Joshua Pantelleresco had gone live. He's giving away three more copies of Undine's Tear this month, so go look him up (podcast name: Just Joshing), subscribe, and enter the weekly draws for your chance to win this book (or one of the other cool options available). Plus, on today's post, you can listen to us talk about life, the universe, and everything. Okay, more like how I got into writing, why I'm not a career songwriter, how my mom is to blame for my writing career (thanks, Mom!), and our theories about Impostor Syndrome. And that's just part one! . Thanks for the great interview, Josh! It was totally fun! Also, congratulations to Nicole I. for winning this week's giveaway! (And yes, I reuse Amazon envelopes, because: saving trees and whatnot.) . @jpantalleresco #writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #riseofthegrigori #theundinestear #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #YAbooks #YAFantasy #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori #watchers #podcast

One of my favourite things about book signings is the people I meet. Whether it's a new reader, someone just wanting to talk to an author, or the amazing bookstore staff, my life is a little richer every time. And watching someone walk away from my table with a smile on their face tells me they appreciate it too. . I'm at Coles Prairie Mall in Grande Prairie today until 4. Would you like an extra smile on your face? I've got one waiting for you. Also, amazing books. 😉📖😍 . #authorsigning #booksigning #writers #writerslife #author #writersofig #riseofthegrigori #theundinestear #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #shifter #YAbooks #YAFantasy #youngadultbooks #mermaids #sphinxes #dragons #angels #grigori #findingheavennovel #fictionbooks #romantic #suspense #WomensFiction #inspirational #survivor #healingispossible

June 6: Finally got the winter gear washed to put away for the summer. #betterlatethannever . But why rush? Gonna have to pull them out again in 3 months, anyway. 😂😜🤪 . (These were made with the Just Plain Gloves and Just Plain Mittens patterns. www.talenawinters.com/designer) . #greatwhitenorth #canada #canadiannorth #lifeincanada #writerslife #peacecountrylife #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

Today, @timhortons is my office for writing and editing work. I got to write about some amazing communities in the Peace Country. I'm editing a fantastic Middle Grade fantasy novel. And it's Camp Day. I love my job. . #peacecountry #gomightypeace #timhortons #campday #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #amwriting #amediting #editing #freelanceeditor

My mom got this soap for me. Apparently, being pissed off about not being a mermaid smells a lot like lavender. :-) . Happy Tuesday! . #mermaids #mermaid #wannabemermaid #craftsoap #artisansoap #foxandchaos #amwriting #writerslife @foxandchaos

Four years ago today, we lost 1/6 of our family. Every year since, my mom and I have gone to the greenhouse on the anniversary, a memorial that has been beautiful and healing. This year is the first year I can really say, and mean it, "I'm doing okay." I miss Levi as much as ever. But my life as it is is beautiful, too. And I'm finally getting to be okay with missing him AND appreciating my life. I am grateful for the time we had. And I'm grateful for the time since. And I'm grateful for these beautiful flowers that instantly add beauty and joy to my life. . Spring came at last. ❤️❤️❤️ . #grief #grieving #childloss #survivor #goodgrief #ptsdsurvivor #flowers #seekbeauty #grateful #springishere

At my recent author reading along with eight other talented authors (including hand-selling superstar @adamdreece), I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of 5 Critical Things, especially as it happened the night of my first appearance (of many) for my latest novel. I'm not a book signing newbie, and constantly get told by bookstore staff how good I am at doing it—but this book upped my game by about a thousand. . Some of the things in the book helped me reframe my expectations or viewpoints and gave me the ideas and tools to turn potentially negative experiences into mediocre or even positive ones. . One of the biggest things that helped was not even one of the Critical Things, but something that Adam mentions a few times throughout the book—that his opening line is the inviting "May I tell you about my books?" instead of my typical trying-to-narrow-my-audience-but-what-I'm-doing-is-closing-people-out opener about whether they read my genre. The difference this simple change made is profound to how much engagement and sales I got in the three signings that immediately followed receiving this book—I even made a superfan of someone who doesn't normally read fiction! (And she's awesome.) . Language is important. Because of 5 Critical Things, I was reminded to invite people to take a closer look at my books after listening to my pitch—not "feel free to look closer," but "please look closer." These are simple, subtle things which make a huge impact when relating to customers. And these aren't even the main points of the book, which are awesome, huge, life-changing things for face-to-face selling! . So, the point is this: Authors, read this book. Take the fear and the fumbling out of public appearances by learning from a master. Do it now. . PSA over. . #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #igreads

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