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Myths & Legends Podcast TTT Season 5 Storytelling Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Season 5 Episode 11: Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene on Dead of Winter and Creating Epic Stories

“As the moon cast its light on simple grave markers, the air was split by a sliver of pale gray light. It shimmered like the giant star sapphires of ancient Tiglath.

Thunder pealed.

The splinter of light seemed to bulge forward and retract, again and again, until it shattered as if lightning had struck. The sound reverberated through the ground. Gravestones toppled.”

Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, Prologue, Journey 1 Forlorn Peak

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am thrilled that Teagan Geneviene has joined me on Tea Toast & Trivia to discuss her epic narrative, Dead of Winter. The adventure is presented in a series of 14 Journeys that begin in the Flowing Lands at Forlorn Peak. The heroine, Emlyn, is a 12-year-old girl who sees and hears spirits. She receives a supernatural warning that she knows is not about the weather: “Winter is coming!”

Teagan makes brilliant use of serialization to enhance a reader’s experience, encouraging us to savour the narrative and to reflect with expectation to what comes next.

I finished Dead of Winter during a horrendous snowstorm which added atmospheric energy as the storyline moved into the final scene.  I marvel at Teagan’s ability to bring together a magnificent epic with elegance, humour, and compassion.  I laughed and cried, worried, and fretted over what was to become of Emlyn, Zasha, Osabide and all the characters that she brought to life.   

It is time to put the kettle on and add to this exciting discussion.

Thank you for joining Teagan and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a special thank you, Teagan for sharing your insights and experiences in creating “Winter Is Coming.”

I invite you to meet up with Teagan at Teagan’s Books . You are only an internet click away from meeting up with Emlyn, her teacher Osabide, and The Watcher.  You will  be swept away on an exciting adventure.

Until next time we meet, safe travels wherever your journey leads you.

Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene on Dead of Winter and Creating Epic Stories – Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

Teagan on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13707141.Teagan_Geneviene

You can also visit Teagan at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordai…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teagangeneviene
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeagansBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teagangenev…
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM-…
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagangen…
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13707141.Teagan_Geneviene

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

70 replies on “Season 5 Episode 11: Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene on Dead of Winter and Creating Epic Stories”

So nice to hear Teagan’s voice. The few times I have heard Teagan read she was captivating. She also sang a few songs for me. She has a wonderful singing voice as well. I love her books.

Liked by 2 people

Teagan has the most wonderful voice for reading, doesn’t she, Tim. I loved the collaboration of “Mousies in the Sky”. Thank you for listening in and for your support and encouragement of these conversation. Very, very appreciated.

Liked by 3 people

Dear Rebecca, heartfelt thanks for hosting me again. It’s always a delight to visit with you and Don. Your question about the clothing I included in the series was so insightful and fun, as was the rest of our discussion. Toasting you with a lovely cup of tea. Hugs on the wing.

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Don and I have so much fun connecting with you, Teagan. Don says you have a distinct voice that is perfect for reading. Dead of Winter was an extraordinary undertaking. I can only imagine all the hours that went into the creation of this narrative. The clothing aspect was a brilliant technique that added dynamics and colour to the storyline.. We hope that you will come back for another podcast discussion. We always enjoy our conversations

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It would be my great pleasure, Rebecca. Now I’m off to the world of “Atonement, Tennessee” to create a barroom in the Rowdy Rooster Saloon, where only a few will be able to see that more than half of the new clientele (attracted by a new owner) are in fact monsters! Have a beautiful week. ❤

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Don and I had so much fun meeting up with Teagan to talk about Dead of Winter. I enjoyed the serial aspect of the narrative – anticipation of what would happen next. I especially appreciated how Teagan connected the journeys so that there was clarity in reading. Teagan has a marvelous voice for reading. Thank you for your encouragement and support of these conversations, Colleen!! Hugs.

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Thanks for featuring Teagan and Dead of Winter here, Rebecca. I have long been a follower and a fan of Rebecca’s blog and of her novels and stories, and Dead of Winter kept me reading and engaged for over a year, not an easy feat for somebody who doesn’t read much fantasy usually. I still think about her characters and their stories, and they became beloved companions (well, some of them, you know what I mean). It is great to hear from you both and I wish you all the best of luck in all of your projects.

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I am delighted that you listened in and joined the conversation, Olga. Dead of Winter was a highlight of my reading in 2022. I am grateful for our connection and for your support of these amazing conversations. Teagan continues to inspire me with her creative and diverse writing styles.

Liked by 1 person

Thank you for bringing Teagan back to visit, Rebecca. I finished Dead of Winter as soon as the final Journey was released. I enjoyed the story, and as I do with everything Teagan writes, I appreciate the work she puts into her craft. She mentioned rereading books to see how authors made her feel. That’s how I read Teagan’s books and stories. I keep looking for that “I see what you did there” moment, but I usually realize that it’s not a thing that she did–it’s everything she did! The fact that the detailed little threads are all woven into the fabric. Everything she has added along the way-it’s like there are no wasted words.

I knew this story, but I enjoyed hearing it, and I especially enjoyed hearing Teagan read from Dead of Winter. I am caught up in her latest serial story, and I am looking forward to anything and everything she writes.

I hope you both have a lovely day. Mine has started better because of this conversation.

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I am thrilled that you listened in and added depth to this conversation, Dan. Teagan has a marvelous way of weaving a narrative that draws us closer and closer to her characters. I especially appreciated her thoughts on writing. I now understand that writing is a calling which demands a great deal of research, thought, etc. Teagan’s discussion of how to build a story so as to entice us to read what’s next confirmed to me that writing not an easy undertaking.

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Teagn brings her characters to life. When you mentioned how, at the end of the journeys we were sure these characters will return to their homes and move onto other adventures-that’s due to how well we know them.

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Terrific podcast, Rebecca and Teagan! The conversation, the recitation, the music…as a great interviewer asked questions of a great writer. Many interesting moments — including how you, Teagan, reread novels specifically to see how the authors achieved what they achieved.

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Thank you kindly, Dave. That’s wonderful feedback. I really did analyze books that way. The practice became engrained and transferred to what I watch for TV and film. If you’ve ever watched “Knives Out” there was a great analysis video explaining the use of an approach called Chekhov’s Gun and how “Knives Out” made such great use of it. Thanks for joining us. Hugs.

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I knew that you would enjoy this podcast Dave!! Teagan’s ability to learn from other writers reminded me of a Stephen King quote: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”

Dead of Winter was a great read, full of twists and turns, and an ending that allowed me to think that there would be more adventures to come.

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Thanks for the King quote, Rebecca. I hadn’t heard that one and it’s perfect. Over the years, several people have said to me “I want to write a book. Any advice?”
My reply is always “The best advice I’ve heard is to read everything you can get your hands on, especially in the genre you choose for writing.”
Shockingly these people replied, “Oh, I never read,” as if it was the most absurd thing I could have suggested. One added that she didn’t want to risk copying another writer. What a lame excuse.

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This is one of the best podcasts.
Teagan did a lovely reading. It’s always a reveal to hear a writer read their own words.
Rebecca, I’ve listened to you read many poems and passages. I must say your reading here was the most intense… most thrilling of all.
Thank you to both of your for this podcast on “Dead Of Winter”!

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I am delighted that you enjoyed this podcast conversation, Resa. I agree – Teagan has a compelling voice for reading. Many thanks for your lovely comments about my voice. I believe that when words are given voice, there is an energy that fills the room. Teagan’s opening for Journey 1 was brilliant. When given the words, the voice responds. Sending hugs along with my gratitude for your support and encouragement of these life-affirming conversation.

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I did read Journeys 1 & 2.
I also read a coupe of her short books.
Teagan is a wonderful creative writer.
I love her weekend serials.
Reading out loud is almost a lost pleasure.
Not on your blogs though. Keep it going!
I just read a book out loud to my N. It’s always bonding when we do that.
HUGS!!!

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Resa, that’s so true about reading aloud — the lost pleasure and the bonding. It’s important for children in many ways. (I’m well aware of that, because no one read to me when I was a child.) But it’s also beneficial to adults. It’s also a good proof-reading tool. When I do that, I’ve noticed my cats listening. LOL.

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Reading aloud…. yet another joy abandoned.
It’s great to embrace all that is new, but do we need to burn all bridges behind us?
Keep writing Teagan. The cats are anxious to hear more!

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This was an awesome interview! I loved hearing Dead of Winters background and how it came into being. It loved the story and what fun to hear Teagan reading it to us. I am happy your are revisiting Atonement too. Hugs xo

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A dash of lemon and a scone please! I loved being a part of the journey and enjoying the new serial too
Hugs flying right back to you xo

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My husband and I enjoyed your interview with Teagan as we drove the back roads on Saturday. I remember when she wrote a blog post about needing to abandon her original publication format and date because of a television show. I’m very glad she was able to resurrect the novel as a serial that was so well-received by readers. I enjoyed her discussion of her process of writing the serial, in particular her strategies for avoiding excessive description and backstory information dumps. Her reading of the excerpt was excellent (audio book-worthy, in my opinion).

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I love your back road adventures, Liz, with the twists and turns that explore less traveled roads. I agree – Teagan has an audio book-worthy voice. I have learned that authors reading their books add a compelling energy and nuance. I remember the first time I heard you recite your poetry. I had goosebumps. Sending hugs. Thank you for listening and and adding to the conversation.

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Dear Liz, you are too kind. I always did want to narrate one of my books, but the expense of equipment, publication technicalities, and especially the time involved has always been too much of an obstacle. Still… maybe one day. 🙂
I’m delighted that you and your husband took time to listen in and become part of the conversation between Rebecca and me. Thanks for your lovely feedback. Hugs.

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