Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
Lots of bookish things… including my new title!
Update on my week, including the arrival of the hardbacks for Every Star that Shines! Woot!
Sweet Inspirational Stories to Beat the Heat
I’m loving these sweet inspirational books and shows right now…
Knitting Book Review: Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson
Lovely photography and a variety of options in a clean, minimalist design as fresh as new snow.
Book Rec: Educated by Tara Westover
Quick update about my complicated schedule and a free desktop wallpaper.
The Secret to Breaking Writer’s Block: Do It Anyway; Also, an update.
Whether it’s fitness, professional, emotional, or spiritual goals—the only way to reach them is to do the work, whether you feel like it or not. The same is true for Writer’s Block. And, since it’s been a while, there are updates on multiple topics in this post.
New Leaf, New Pattern, and New Story
My mission to get my weight under control and the books that inspired me to do so, plus the release of the Just Plain Gloves Knitting Pattern and an announcement about some short fiction.
7 Favourite Fall Things
Sweaters on Pinterest and other knitting geekery, books, writing, simple comforts, and other joys of autumn. Here’s what’s been inspiring me.
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.
I Saw This Going Differently in my Head
I’ve always had a semi-structured writing style, but recently discovered that I’d been running my business like a writing pantser. (As in, “flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants.”) But times, they are a-changing. How a little “plotsing” will (hopefully) make a big difference.
7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy
A photo essay of what's been filling up my blog silence.
Drawing the Line: 5 Loving Reasons to Say “No”
Saying "no" to trying to control things which are impossible to control anyways means saying "yes" to peace, tranquility, and more time and energy doing things I love with people I love to be with.
7 Things: Books for Summer
Okay, so I know that summer is already almost half over. (What? I know, right?) But there are still six more weeks for summer reading--you've got plenty of time! (Six of the seven are indie authors or were published by small presses, and several are by Canadian authors. Can you guess which ones?)
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.
Book Review: Endless Change by P.D. Workman
This spring, I had the opportunity to beta-read a novel for Calgary author P.D. Workman, who writes stories in the YA genre. Since she has just released it, I get to share it with you at last!