Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
Call Me Jane Jetson
I talk about how I’ve used AI tools as part of my creative process, including the creation of the digital audiobook of the sweet small-town romance Every Star that Shines, which was published today!
Couples to “ship” for Valentines Day
A fun introduction to the couples in my books, plus a print book clearance sale just in time for Valentine’s Day!
The Year of Magic
A short post about the shift I’ve made in my business going into the new year, and how I intend to help my customers unleash more magic in their lives (while I do the same).
Top 5 Places to Visit on Sirenia
In the eighth installment of the Rise of the Grigori Beneath the Surface blog series, veteran selvedge expert Nicandra kor’Nyx gives us a guided tour of Sirenia. Ready for some photography eye candy (and a little behind-the-scenes intrigue)? Read on!
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…
The Ballad of the Brown V-neck Sweater
After three years, I have finally finished the first adult sweater design I have ever attempted. Yay!
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.
Stories and Embers
My energy’s low, so instead of pondering life like I usually do, here’s a little round-up of some of my recent projects you might be interested in.
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.
Five Years
The question “do I want to be doing this five years from now?” is a very helpful rubric for deciding on how to spend our time now. I get to choose the path I take. So why do I make it so hard?