Wintersβ Day In
Spilling the tea since 2006. Wanna cuppa?
Conversations on life, faith, stories, music, and creativity from author and songwriter (and aspiring mermaid) Talena Winters.
Mistaken Assumptions: My Accidental Signature Move
Six weeks stuck on one chapter led to a trope epiphany, a series expansion, and some unexpected truths about writing pining heroes who arenβt simps.
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.
How It Started vs. How Itβs Going (Blogging & Books Update)
A brief update about my current writing projects and ideas for a future memoir.
The Secret to Being More Human
How reading lots of different kinds of books can make us better humans and better as a culture and race. Plus a new short story.
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.
The Long-Overdue Update
An update about my writing projects, my reader community, and other happenings in the last little while.
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!
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.)
Hair, shoulder pads, and nukes.
Another personal update written to the company of Doctor Who. In general this new is becoming normal. Plus a strange thing to be thankful for right now.
Developing Successful Habits
My approach to goal-setting for 2020, plus my holiday highlights photo album.
Remembering How to Chillax
In which I discuss the family vacation, progress on The Sphinxβs Heart, and introduce our trip mascots, Hagrid and Dumbledore.
The Secret to Breaking Writerβs Block: Do It Anyway; Also, an update.
Whether itβs fitness, professional, emotional, or spiritual goalsβthe only way to reach them is to do the work, whether you feel like it or not. The same is true for Writerβs Block. And, since itβs been a while, there are updates on multiple topics in this post.
Insanely Optimistic
Some days, writing fiction for a living feels like walking through sludge in a mudstorm. I'm going to be honestβI spend a little bit of every day wondering if I'm actually going to be able to pull this off. But no risk, no reward. Right?
A Conversation with Myself: Wherein I Give Myself a Solid Smack
I work alone, people. And usually, I love it. But on days like today, when all I wanna do is drink tea and read books, this is what conversations around my office sound like...
Enjoying the Little Moments
Summer has been challenging for me as a work-from-home mom, but we've also made some great memories. And I am much more able to put aside my anxiety at my unfinished to-do list than I ever used to be and just enjoy the little moments.