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February’s Featured Blogger: Teagan’s Books

Featured Bloggers, Flash fiction

I was unwell for most of December and January and did not find a featured
blogger for February so am re-posting my feature of friend and sometimes collaborator, Teagan Geneviene.

Since the first publican of this interview, Teagan released Atonement in Bloom.

Lilith and the Blue Rose of the Impossible

The quaint town was stranger than Ralda Lawton could have imagined.  The local population included supernatural beings.  Yet only she and a few others knew about that.

Although she didn’t know the details, in a past life, Ralda ― Esmeralda had been involved in something with those supernaturals and it had carried into her present life.  In Atonement, Tennessee, that almost got her killed.  Now she has new problems, and new supes to complicate matters.

Atonement in Bloom continues the misadventures of Ralda, her friends, and neighbors in the small (but far from peaceful) town of Atonement, Tennessee.  Her old house and cemetery are still there, along with Lilith the cat, quirky townsfolk, and assorted supernaturals.

Now Lilith the calico sniffs out a strange beast.

Fae foolery backfires.

A friend is abducted.

On a cold December day, Atonement, Tennessee comes into bloom.
Atonement in Bloom.

This month I’m honored to feature Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene of
Teagan’s Books.

Marketing Graphic for Thisledown
Thisledow

When did you start writing?

My seventh-grade teacher gave us an assignment that truly inspired my young mind — Write a story.  However, we only had two options about the story 1) Write it from the point of view (POV) of a cartoon character, or 2) from the POV of the shoes of a famous person.  Well, 12-year-old me watched talk shows after school, not cartoons.  So, I saw plenty of “famous people” and “used to be famous” ones too, on Merv Griffin’s TV show.  I liked the ones who talked about their pets.  So, I wrote my story as a pair of red pumps belonging to actress Doris Day.  (Back then I don’t think she was still making movies, but she was known for all her dogs.)  I had so much fun that I also gave half the class verbal outlines for their stories.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I did a few stories on my own.  My teacher wanted to see them.  She said good things about the one for the assignment so (not that I thought I had any choice) I let her have the stories.  They were Twilight Zone-ish stories and one was about child abuse.  They got a lot of attention…

My teacher spoke to my parents. 

My parents told me very sternly to never do that again!

That said, I guess I started writing in my late thirties.  Throughout my life novels were my only escape from the personal difficulties (yes, abuse too) that I faced each day.  I had read a couple of interviews with writers, and decided to write a fantasy novel.  I did a lot of research and work, read more interviews, and then I dove into it.  With that start, I never stopped.

Marketing Graphic for Teagan's Books
Teagan’s books

You started your blog as an adjunct to self-publishing, how do you define your blog now?

I’m sure you’ve seen the same advice I always see for us Indies – You must have a blog to promote your work!  Well, I couldn’t bear the thought of droning on about my novel with every post.  Instead, I modified a writing exercise I created for myself long ago.  I brought that exercise to my blog (Teagan’s Books).  I had the readers send me three random things.  I let the random things drive every detail of a serial story, setting, plot, and characters.  That resulted in  The Three Things Serial Story, which gave birth to my current release, a culinary mystery.  However, this time the “things” are food related — or ingredients.  So that one is Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I.  I’ve published both of those serials in book form.

That “pantser” style of writing, combined with engaging my audience (having them send “things” or otherwise promoting them) seems to have defined my blog.

I also mean for my blog to be a sanctuary for everyone.  I keep it free from religion and politics, even though there are issues about which I feel strongly.

Where were you raised and how does that affect your style?

I’m a southerner by birth, but I was “enchanted” by the desert southwest of the USA when I moved to New Mexico.  Like the old John Denver song, I had come home to a place I’d never been before.  The truth is, I wish every day that I had never left.  However, many things about the southeast – the deep south made an impact that remains with me.  Following the advice, “Write what you know,” many of my stories have a southern setting.

What writers give you inspiration?

Robert Jordan (the Wheel of Time series) inspired me with his detailed world-building.  Charlaine Harris influenced me with writing in first-person.  That was something I never cared to do until I did my first National Novel Writing Month and created my début novel, Atonement, Tennessee.  To my surprise, all the serial stories at my blog turned out to be written in first person as well. David Eddings influenced me with the way he showed his sense of humor, particularly in the Belariad series.

What are your top 3 tips for new bloggers?

Reciprocate.  Answer every comment, and try to do so with more than just “Thank you.”

Don’t “act/look like an expert” if you are not.  If you have credentials then say so – and make that information something the reader can find without digging.  If you found useful information, and you just want to share it, then say so.

Make it easy to read.  Light colored (or splotchy, speckled) backgrounds with medium colored text are hard to read, no matter how good your content.  Also, those horrid pop-ups, soliciting subscriptions.  If I’ve barely started reading and one of those things blocks me from that read, I don’t care to continue.

Thank you Teagan! A short section from one of your books would be great way to close the interview.

Marketing Graphic for Teagan's Books on Amazon
Teagan’s Books Header Image

Since I’ve been promoting the release of Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I,  I want to share a short story.  It is not in the book, but it’s still from that “universe,” and features the heroine of that 1920s series.

Here goes:

Pip’s a Chicken

“Bock, bock-bock.  Bock!  Baaawk!

Of all the nerve!  My mouth dropped open.  I was speechless.  Granny Phanny bocked at me like a chicken.  She bocked.  She put her fists under her armpits and flapped her boney elbows — and she bocked at me!

Then, to make matters worse, she laughed.

Why that banty little old woman.  Of all the self-important, cockalorem…

“Oh Pip, if you could see the look on your face,” she said, still chuckling.  “It’s not like you to chicken out.  Now tie on your apron and we’ll look at this recipe together.

Granny hung an apron around my neck, and then put her hands on my shoulders to forcibly turn me around.  She tied a bow in back that I knew without looking was perfectly symmetrical.

“But Granny, I nearly set the kitchen on fire last time,” I complained, sincerely afraid of what damage I might cause.

“Hush that nonsense right now, Sweetpea.  We’ll not be having any fires.  Just because your fried chicken turned out as tough as an old rooster doesn’t mean you can quit.”

“An old rooster?” I exclaimed, mortified.

I looked at the recipe card.  “Chicken Fricassee…” I read aloud.  “Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture; coat well.  Oh Granny, this sounds pos-i-lutely like a repeat of the fried chicken disaster.  Granny?”

Phanny Ilene Peabody was gone.  Her purse was missing from the corner table.  I called out again and she hollered from the living room.

My eyes fell on the calendar that hung on the wall.  Wong’s Chinese Restaurant made one annually for Chinese New Year.  Granny was going to an early dinner with friends.

“No wonder she wasn’t worried about me ruining dinner again,” I grumbled.  “Granny!” I yelled.

“I’ll be back this evening, Pip.  Just keep the stove set to low while you fry that chicken, and follow the instructions for the fricassee.”

I blew a raspberry as the front door closed with a thud.  My hand plopped down on the plump poultry with a smacking sound.

“Old rooster, huh?  I’ll show her,” I muttered and went back to the recipe card.

***

Copyright © 2017 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

The Three Things Serial Story

Amazon USA, Paperback and Kindle

Murder at the Bijou

Amazon USA Paperback  and Kindle

Atonement, Tennessee Amazon Kindle and Paperback

You can also connect with Teagan at:

Amazon:    https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/e/B00HHDXHVM
Twitter:     https://twitter.com/teagangeneviene
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TeagansBooks
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/teagangeneviene/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM-z7_iH5t2_7aNpy3vG-Q
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagangeneviene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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73 thoughts on “February’s Featured Blogger: Teagan’s Books”

  1. What a fantastic interview with Teagan, one of my favorite writers! Teagan, those stories back in school must have set about a whirlwind of reactions. 🙂 Your imagination knows no boundaries. Love the excerpt. The dialogue is perfect for the setting and time period. Thanks, Rob!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. I always enjoy learning more about people I like. Both of you collaborate so well together; seeing you come together this way instead of through your work was a nice change.

    Teagan, Doris Day’s pumps? I’d read that in a heartbeat.

    Rob, I hope you’re feeling better. Thanks for reposting this, as I’d missed it before.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Huge thanks for re-running this feature, Rob — and for mentioning “Atonement in Bloom.”
    Last year was difficult in so many ways, for us both. Then your health problems continued into 2019… But now you’re feeling better, just in time to start the Lunar New Year off on a beautiful note!
    Wishing you health and satisfaction in the year of the Earth Pig and to infinity. (Deme & Honeybell dancing in Buzz Lightyear costumes.)
    Hugs on the wing!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Hi Rob! I love any opportunity to get to know Teagan better. Great questions and answers. I read some things here I never knew about Teagan, so thanks to the both of you. I liked the blogging tips too. We all need reminding from time to time. Cute story. I wonder how Pip’s chicken turned out, especially after she blew a raspberry. 😉 Loved it!

    Liked by 4 people

    2. Vashti, you are a delight. Thanks so much for all your support.
      LOL, that day, Pip would have been lucky to even finish cooking the chicken. It may have taken her some extra time, but eventually she became a “passable cook”… Although I don’t know (right now) if she decided to stay in Savannah after that or had more adventures elsewhere. 😀 You’re the cat’s pajamas!

      Liked by 3 people

  8. Teagan and Rob ~ wow this combo is a dynamic one!! I adore the new short story and also the interview. Great questions, Rob. I can totally see you as a girl writing from the POV of the red pumps, Teagan, and now I see that your creative, unique spirit that spurs your writing has been with you since you were a wee gal. I adore you both even more now!! ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    2. LOL, Christy, you are one of a very wonderful kind. And I just realized that happening might explain why I like red shoes! 😀 At Wiki Media Commons I ran across a photo of red patent leather thigh high spike heeled boots… I’d never try to wear them these days, but it sure got a sigh from me. Thanks for making me grin with this delightful comment. Hugs on the wing!

      Liked by 3 people

  19. Really interesting interview and good to learn a bit more about Teagan. And I’m with her on those awful pop-ups on blogs. I dislike them intensely and a friend of mine who is visually impaired say they cause havoc with her screen reader.

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Hi Mary. I worried (for about 5 seconds) about making that statement about pop ups. LOL… but I tend to be direct. It might explain my “lofty” career. Never be honest in kiss-butt-land. 😀
      Many thanks for visiting. Hugs!

      Liked by 3 people

  21. Good morning, Rob — and thanks so much for doing this interview. I appreciate you adding the links to writers who inspired me; I didn’t think of that. 🙂
    I hope you’ve recovered from your “confrontation” with the heatwave. Huge hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Reblogged this on Teagan's Books and commented:

    My heartfelt thanks to Rob Goldstein for reviving this monthly feature — and for letting me have the first post!
    I know I’ve been blogging a good bit this weekend, but I cannot resist sharing this with all of you.
    Please click over to visit Rob and check out his brilliant work.
    Hugs on the wing, Teagan

    Liked by 3 people

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