Wintersβ Day In
Spilling the tea since 2006. Wanna cuppa?
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author and songwriter (and aspiring mermaid) Talena Winters.
Donβt Just Sit There: Risk Something
Feeling stuck? Discover why taking smart risks can lead to growth, courage, and a life worth livingβand how small steps outside your comfort zone can change everything.
Plus, a sneak preview of my new book!
Diving Into the Artisanal Audiobook Process: The Two-Year (Heroβs) Journey to the Digitally-Narrated Edition of Finding Heaven
A behind-the-scenes look at the trials and triumphs of the two-year journey to create the artisanal, digitally-narrated audiobook edition of Finding Heavenβfrom voice selection to final release.
Behind the Name 2: How I Name Characters in my Mermaid Fantasy Series
Ever wonder how authors choose names for their characters? In this post, Iβm pulling back the curtain on the naming process for some of the key characters in my clean epic mermaid fantasy series Rise of the Grigoriβfrom Calandraβs songbird-inspired origins to Zaleβs sea-strong rebrand, Narcissaβs perfectly βon the noseβ moniker, and more. Youβll get a peek at how meaning, culture, sound, and story all come together to shape name choices for the perfect fit.
Fall in Love this Fall: 3 Faith-Infused Romantic Novels from Clean and Sweet to Gritty and Redemptive
Embrace the cozy charm of autumn with three faith-infused romantic reads! From sweet small-town love stories to gritty, redemptive journeys, find your perfect fall escape amidst stories of love, healing, and community.
Rise of the Grigori Book 3 Changes TitlesβAgain
The reason for another slight tweak to my next epic mermaid fantasy book title, including a behind-the-scenes of how the Romani people came to figure so prominently in my series.
Behind the Name 1: The Hidden Names of the Trinity in My Epic Mermaid Fantasy
In my epic mermaid fantasy book series for teens, Rise of the Grigori, explore Elyon, Logos, and Pneumaβthe hidden names of God that transform my clean, Christian-based fantasy world and the journeys of its characters.
The Making of Finding Heaven
Why Finding Heaven wasnβt the book I meant to writeβbut became the one I had to.
This behind-the-scenes look at how the novel came to be (re-shared from my newsletter archives) shows how sometimes, stories find us when we need them most.
Summer Growth: Songwriting, Streamlining, and the Finding Heaven Kickstarter
A brief update about my current creative projects, and a check-in about my βword of the yearβ progress.
A New Look for Finding Heaven: Cover Reveal (and a Peek at Something Special)
In this post, Iβm sharing the new eBook cover for Finding Heaven. Iβm also giving you a sneak peek at something special: an exclusive cover reveal for the hardcover Iβm creating for my upcoming Kickstarter. Come see the new look and find out why it was time for a change!
Not There Yet: The Ten-Year Post I Didnβt Write
Ten years after losing my son, I thought I'd have something profound to say about healing and hope. But grief doesnβt follow schedulesβor meet deadlines. In this post, I share where I really am in the journey, how itβs shaping my creative work, and why thatβs okay.
Finding Heaven Audiobook Update⦠and an Announcement
Iβm nearly finished editing the audiobook for Finding Heaven, and it got me thinkingβ¦ this book deserves some special treatment. How about a Kickstarter, a new cover, and two other new formats?
How I Blended Biblical Beliefs with Ancient Myth and Symbolism in My Mermaid Fantasy World
In this post, I share how biblical texts, ancient mythology, and the Book of Enoch inspired the spiritual hierarchy and divine politics in my fantasy worldβwhere dragons are seraphim, mermaids guard the deep, and fallen Watchers equate with old gods.
From Peace River to Peace Crossing: The True Story Behind My Small-Town Romance Books
Discover the real-life northern Alberta town that inspired my sweet and clean small-town Peace Country Romance series. In this post, I share how moving to Peace River shaped my writing career and why this community keeps calling me back.
Cover Reveal for Every Rose that Blooms
Check out the cover for my upcoming romance novel and see some iterations this cover went through along the way to the finished product.
Back to Peace Crossing: The Book Iβm Writing Next
Iβve been struggling to decide which of my upcoming writing projects to finish first. Well, the decision has been made. Hereβs the reason why.