Hi all:
It’s Friday and as you know I like to bring you guest authors and/or new books in this spot. For the last few weeks I’ve brought you the books, and a bit of information, about some of the blogger authors I follow, as I suddenly realised that after exchanging comments on everything (from recipes, to travelling, diets, healthy lifestyle, funny videos, mediums and magic) with them, I had never brought them to my blog and talked about their books. And it was about time.
Today I bring you Teagan R. Geneviene. I discovered her wonderful writing blog, where readers make suggestions of ingredients, and with her new serial, also magic elements, for each week’s installment, and Teagan delights us with a new chapter every week. Her stories are full of wonderful characters, wit, fun, imagination, and she always finds fabulous illustrations.
We were recently talking about dreams, and what important role they can play both in life and in creativity, and from there came this interview. Here I leave you with Teagan (ah, and the images provided are also her choice!):
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before…” Edgar Allan Poe
Learn to Dream
If we tried to describe Teagan’s background, the things that made her who she is, it would take much more than an interview. She joked that the psychiatrist in me could write volumes about it. Actually, Teagan has made many new beginnings in her life – new volumes (not just new chapters).
“Back then a friend looked at me in amazement and said ‘You don’t mind shaking things up, do you?’ More than 15 years later, she still lives in the same place and works at the same job. I sincerely admire her stability. But that wasn’t in the cards for me.”
One of those new volumes began when she changed careers. After a divorce Teagan left low-paying low-level office jobs to become a technical editor. She started at the bottom, earning a Bachelor of Science degree related to information technology (IT). She wanted a solid foundation to launch her career in technical writing and editing. Over the years, she carefully plotted that new profession, making sacrifices that most would not consider, and became a successful and well respected technical editor and writer.
Her most recent “volume” was relocating to the east coast of the USA. Before she moved to her nation’s capital, Washington, DC, her work focused on the combination of IT and healthcare. However, now her 9 to 5 job has more of an analytical and organizational application.
“It was a way to keep a roof over my head, while still working with what I enjoy most – words.”
During all those years she used her spare time to write fantasy stories and novels, honing her skills as a completely different sort of writer and editor.
Dare to Dream
“A friend in New Mexico once shook her head and said, ‘You’re like an onion. Every time I think I know who you are, I see another new layer!’ I took it as a big compliment.”
Teagan suggested that we give this interview a theme, that of dreams.
I used to be very attuned to all manner of metaphysical things, particularly dreams. However, since I’ve been in DC, I’ve felt very disconnected from all that.
I asked Teagan why that would be, and she described one idea about how each person has different physical reactions to various things. She used her egg allergy as an example. One person might enjoy eggs as a healthful food. Another might have a problem with the cholesterol, while another might have a horrible allergic reaction.
“Similarly, maybe locations can have different effects on various people. You might find a place stimulated your interest in everything around you. Another person might feel overwhelmed while in that location, while another feels spiritually disconnected. That kind of thing. Sorry. I enjoy going down these “What If” tangents. We can go back to “dreams” now.”
Teagan told me she wishes to reconnect with that aspect of herself, — with dreams and interpreting them, and with what she calls “all sorts of new-agey things.” Dreams figure into much of Teagan’s writing. Her debut novel, Atonement, Tennessee, has a couple of scenes where dreams play an important part. There is even a chapter called “Bras Bed Dreams,” with an antique bed that causes people to have dreams of the past or even past lives.
It’s not surprising to me that Teagan dreams of being able to make a living from her novels. I finally “escaped from psychiatry” so I understand that wish and how hard it is to make it real.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams…” Eleanor Roosevelt
Writing Dreams
If you could see how animated Teagan gets when she talks about writing, you’d know it really is her dream. I asked if she ever dreams her imaginative stories, and she didn’t really think so. However, she often visualizes them and the characters, rather like a daydream.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them…” Walt Disney
She has a few works in progress, if no time to devote to them. However, she does find time each week to write an episode of the interactive culinary mystery serial that is featured on her blog, Teagan’s Books. It’s a 1920’s story, and a big departure from her novels.
“I’ve been influenced by several authors, mostly fantasy writers. However, my debut novel — ‘Atonement, Tennessee’ is different from the quest-type fantasy (as I like to call it) that I usually write. I call Atonement an urban fantasy with a side order of mystery. I would never compare my work to someone as talented and successful as Charlaine Harris, but if you like her Sookie Stackhouse books, I think you would like my ‘Atonement’ stories.
Teagan always aspires to work on book-two in the Atonement series, and kicks herself for not managing to do more on it. Right now it looks like the only way she will be able to finish “Atonement in Bloom” this year is to take a sabbatical from the blog serial.
Some of the magical artifacts that caused trouble in the first book will be back, including that bras bed I mentioned, and the mirror of truth and justice. Many of the characters will return, including a “device” she used in book-1 — the cat. The story is written in first person. So when Teagan needs to tell the reader about something the heroine can’t see, she writes that scene from the point of view of Lilith, the calico cat.
“The supernatural parts of Atonement are loosely inspired by the ancient myth of Gwydion fab Don. I bring in additional Celtic myths for the sequel and with it new trouble-making characters.”
So there you have it — the latest “volume” in the story of Teagan and a little about her books too.
Thanks so much to Teagan for her kindness and her great interview and images, thanks to you for reading, and you know what I always say, if you’ve enjoyed it, don’t forget to like, share, comment, and CLICK!
Just Olga 