Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
Sowing New Creative Seeds
Notes on the “in-between” stages of creative work and how I’m planning to tackle my upcoming projects to publish more frequently and keep my creativity fresh.
Winding Ways, Dark Secrets, and Dwarf Duels, Oh My!
In Part Seven of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series I’ve got my most favourite author interview I’ve ever done in my life. Mary from Kit’n’Kabookle came up with some seriously fun questions—including a behind-the-scenes moment from Calandra’s past that’s not in the series itself.
Read on for a real treat!
What’s an Undine’s Tear?
The reason the first book in the Rise of the Grigori series came to be called The Undine’s 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 aren’t so far-fetched after all.)
The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad
In Part Four of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series, Narcissa kor’Adonia, Opal Princess of the undine Island of Sirenia tells us what her cousin Calandra is really like…
A Peek Beneath the Surface: Author Interview
In Part Three of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface series, I’m posting an author interview that’s mostly about me, not so much the series… but the series does get top billing.
Where Mythology & Imagination Meet: The Creation of a “Real-World” Mermaid Fantasy
In the Rise of the Grigori Behind-the-Scenes Tour part 2, I dive into how I came up with the idea for the world that became my epic young adult mermaid fantasy series.
Introducing the Rise of the Grigori Beneath-the-Surface Blog Series
The first of a series of behind-the-scenes posts for the Rise of the Grigori series. First up: What’s the series about?
A Matter of Perspective
Quick update on The Sphinx’s Heart revisions and some family stuff.
Beneath the Surface and the Amazing Suzy Vadori
Exciting news about The Waterboy going into audio, and an interview with Canadian author Suzy Vadori about her new young adult novel, Wall of Wishes.
Big Release Week Ahead for Books and Knitting Patterns
New fantasy novella coming, a new dragon thriller story, and a new knitting pattern. Yep, just a few things going on! (And you can read my upcoming mermaid fantasy book for free!)
The Benefits of "Escapist Fiction"
Humans are made of stories. And, no matter the "world" that a story may be set in, at the heart of every good story is a character who is overcoming difficult situations that must be relatable to the reader in some way, or the story would not resonate with us. In this post, I talk about some ways that fantasy and other genres of fiction have benefited me, and why I think everyone should read or watch it.
Book Review: Eleora by Melissa Keaster
In Eleora, Melissa Keaster brings to life a world as enduring as Narnia or Middle Earth and characters that will live in your heart next to Lucy Pevensie and Bilbo Baggins. It is a world where spirits walk, crime rings hold immense power, and the King, though seemingly absent, still guides the land through the magical Eleora stone--a gem of immense power.
What About Christian Fantasy?
I haven't read a ton of Christian fantasy books, but I have read some. And I always wonder afterwards if the real God of the Universe would behave as the author imagined he would. And I wonder if I really have the right while "playing God" with my own characters to cast the real God as one of them.