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.
Creating Space to Grow: My Summer Reset and Whatβs Next
This summer, I hit pause to enjoy life, reconnect with family, and step back from the daily grind. Taking that time off made me rethink my priorities, streamline my business, and create more space for what truly matters. In this post, I share the small but meaningful pivots Iβm makingβboth for my creative work and my family lifeβand what you can expect from me next.
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.
14 Clean YA Fantasy Reads for Teens and Adults by Canadian Authors
Celebrate Canada Day with these clean YA fantasy books by Canadian authors! From mermaids and magical portals to dream-walking vigilantes and ancient secrets, these highly rated reads deliver adventure, heart, and imaginationβperfect for teen and adult fantasy fans alike.
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!
Become the Hero: How to Rewrite the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Iβve been thinking a lot about the lies we tell ourselvesβthe stories that shape our lives, often without us realizing it. In this post, Iβm exploring how these stories work in fiction (and real life), how to spot the ones holding us back, and how we can choose to rewrite them. Itβs about becoming the hero of your own storyβon purpose.
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.
Suspending Disbelief: How Writers Ruin Fictional Stories
Iβm a pretty forgiving audience and have no problem suspending disbelief to enter into the story, but there are a few things that ruin that experience. Here are my top three.
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?
My Personal Second-Chance Romance
A brief retelling of how I met and married my husband in honour of our silver anniversary.
Why the World Needs More Christian Fantasy
Is Christian fantasy silly, unbiblical, a waste of time, or even outright dangerous? Not in my opinion. Hereβs why (plus some book recommendations).
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.
Together Again: How I Fell Back in Love with Songwriting
How I gave up my lifelong dream of being a professional songwriter, and how itβs found me in another formβand why that means youβll have new music to listen to, starting today.
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.
Flight to Neverland: Why We Love Peter Pan
Iβve loved Peter Pan in all his forms for as long as I can remember, and my kids have caught the Neverland bug too. This post is a celebration of the storyβs enduring magic, the lessons it teaches us, and why growing up doesnβt have to mean letting go of wonder.