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.
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.
The Power of No: How Boundaries Create a Better Yes
Learn how the power of no can bring peace, balance, and purpose by helping you say yes to the thingsβand peopleβthat matter most.
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.
How to Have Hope in Uncertain Times
When times are troubled and dark, thatβs when good people need to fight for the right and share their hope. And thatβs what Iβm doing in this post.
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 Power of Perseverance
The daily work of achieving our dreams may not be sexy, but itβs the only way to get it done. A pep talk for anyone struggling to stay the course right now.
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.