![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/720b681b-61e9-4f8e-9205-9cb5b5c3bd96/WDI+mermaid+reading+blog+header+2024-02-24+web.jpg)
Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
![Does Insomnia mean I'm recovering from Burnout?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1639301518435-013LFLQVCT71BB4J9KYI/unsplash-image-YvctEBM0W1g.jpg)
Does Insomnia mean I'm recovering from Burnout?
Middle-of-the-night thoughts about returning to my old night-owl ways and what that might mean for my recovery from burnout. Plus a free holiday story.
![So This is What it Feels Like?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1637972390750-0W9TI2ZVS53Y9X6M04HO/2021-11-04+143301+fxd+sqr.jpg)
So This is What it Feels Like?
I’ve wrapped up The Sphinx’s Heart and all my other projects due before the end of the year, and I’m not quite sure how to cope with the lack of stress. Oh, wait. Now I have to deal with other stress. And that’s life.
![No, I'm Not Dead](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1632507568802-L7SROJQLXC152A9ISOMM/DSC_0060+fxd+web.jpg)
No, I'm Not Dead
The Sphinx’s Heart coming November 16, new print covers for Finding Heaven now available, and an update on my crazy life for the last several months.
![A Matter of Perspective](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1626361604558-6YQEI9HGNQXUBLW12NL3/natallia-leanovich-BVb-UU0AOHY-unsplash+web.jpg)
![Hot Alberta Summer and Sphinx's Heart Update](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1624893012443-PD4SMVOYUUUXXJEXU8O6/2021-06-28+09.06.22-1.jpg)
Hot Alberta Summer and Sphinx's Heart Update
It’s hot! And an update on progress for The Sphinx’s Heart.
![Remembering Me](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1624290629347-D8JAD525Z7CWWX7HD3FI/DSC_0007+fxd+web.jpg)
Remembering Me
“Do you remember who I am?” Mom asks.
I don’t bother asking Grandma if she remembers me. She hasn’t recognized me as her granddaughter for years.
![I Made it Through the Fire Swamp... Okay, close.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1621289773773-ZUUX1X8K80K89AHVAGI6/2021-02-12+130030+fxd+web.jpg)
I Made it Through the Fire Swamp... Okay, close.
After many moons of silence, I recap why it’s been so quiet here for the last six months: my journey through burnout.
![The Sphinx's Heart and the Lion of St. Mark](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1601069306388-HIYKWL9SYIF53DVA14JT/127529121_l+web.jpg)
The Sphinx's Heart and the Lion of St. Mark
A behind-the-scenes post with a quote from my new book, plus how I came up with the attributes of the cherubim in Rise of the Grigori.
![What's Supernatural and Read All Over?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1593750634663-XUNCFQPXMHI50O3RK7HM/Psychopomp+Storybundle+All+Covers+Large_web.jpg)
What's Supernatural and Read All Over?
A very cool multi-author book promo for speculative fiction lovers, plus a brief personal update.
![Beneath the Surface and the Amazing Suzy Vadori](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1592524548253-1Q9J1CX5YPZP6VY201TD/2020-06-18+170644+fxd+web.jpg)
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.
![Keep Calm and Be Like the Doctor](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1590220236304-NTEUM34GN7PI9LMMSVOI/MattSmithDr.jpg)
Keep Calm and Be Like the Doctor
“We’re all stories in the end. Make it a good one.” - the 11th Doctor
A repost from my newsletter with some inspiration from Doctor Who about the times we’re in and how to win the war.
![Hair, shoulder pads, and nukes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1587785681899-VNXHKZOREQQ25E73W0Y8/2020-04-12%2B18.18.24.jpg)
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.
![Can Someone Stop the World? I'd Like to Get Off.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1586051067085-XGGP0A55KZETCMAF1PEG/2020-04-02+20.00.51.jpg)
Can Someone Stop the World? I'd Like to Get Off.
Personal update about the current pandemic, The Sphinx’s Heart (it’s two books now!), our new dog, and more.
![Covering Books and Life in General](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1584130642038-EUHA7KVCDEDQXO4GN67V/Finding+Heaven+2020+-+16x9+web.jpg)
Covering Books and Life in General
New book covers, wider distribution for my titles, plus my very eventful/uneventful start to the year.
![The Year of Playing with Words and Yarn](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1581028718875-A0QFNZKORCGH39HFPQYH/kelly-sikkema-8A7qKkvm_ew-unsplash.jpg)
The Year of Playing with Words and Yarn
This year, I'm taking my knitting business in a slightly new direction, one designed to respark my joy, to borrow an overused trending phrase. I have decided to take a year off of publishing new patterns, and have declared this my "Year of Playing With Words and Yarn." That means you’ll be hearing more about knitting. And that’s a good thing.