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.
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.
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.
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.
How It Started vs. How Itβs Going (Blogging & Books Update)
A brief update about my current writing projects and ideas for a future memoir.
Sowing New Creative Seeds
Notes on the βin-betweenβ stages of creative work and how Iβm planning to tackle my upcoming projects to publish more frequently and keep my creativity fresh.
Cool Down and Chill Out (Summer Update)
Summer recipes, cool reads, and book-related merch.
New Mermaid Merch in Store
A quick overview of new merman- and mermaid-themed merch thatβs live in the store as of today!
The Long-Overdue Update
An update about my writing projects, my reader community, and other happenings in the last little while.
Top 5 Places to Visit on Sirenia
In the eighth installment of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath the Surface blog series, veteran selvedge expert Nicandra korβNyx gives us a guided tour of Sirenia. Ready for some photography eye candy (and a little behind-the-scenes intrigue)? Read on!
Winding Ways, Dark Secrets, and Dwarf Duels, Oh My!
In Part Seven of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series Iβve got my most favourite author interview Iβve ever done in my life. Mary from KitβnβKabookle came up with some seriously fun questionsβincluding a behind-the-scenes moment from Calandraβs past thatβs not in the series itself.
Read on for a real treat!
Whatβs an Undineβs Tear?
The reason the first book in the Rise of the Grigori series came to be called The Undineβs Tear, the significance of the stones on all my covers, and more. Includes new insights into the covers and crystals on them.
Creating a Vivid Fantasy Mermaid World with Real-Life Connections
In Part Five of my Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series, I talk about some of the seed ideas the grew into a full-blown fantasy world full of mermaids, crystal technology, and more. (Hint: Breathing stones arenβt so far-fetched after all.)
The Good Girlβs Guide to Being Bad
In Part Four of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series, Narcissa korβAdonia, Opal Princess of the undine Island of Sirenia tells us what her cousin Calandra is really likeβ¦
A Peek Beneath the Surface: Author Interview
In Part Three of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series, Iβm posting an author interview thatβs mostly about me, not so much the seriesβ¦ but the series does get top billing.