I have two very special reasons to say “Happy Birthday” this month. First, on May 7, Planet of Eden turns one year old. It is hard to believe that twelve months have passed since I became an independent publisher and launched Talia Sek Publishing with the first in my Planet trilogy. I have spent a lot of time since then marketing Planet of Eden and introducing readers to sci-fi that you do not have to be a diehard sci-fi fan to…
I wanted to take a moment to wish all my readers and fans out there a very Happy Easter! If you’re into the Easter bunny, plastic eggs, pretty baskets, and ham, I wish you a day of enjoyment and rest. For those, like me, who celebrate Easter as Resurrection Sunday, I wish you deep joy in the knowledge that because Jesus defeated death by rising from the grave, you will never truly die. That’s good news, and it’s worth exploring…
It is official, fellow Edenites! I am now writing Planet of Perdition, the second book of the Planet trilogy! Looking back through my notes, I see that I began writing the plot outline in July of 2019. Soon after, I completed the story summary, timeline, and even some chapter outlines. Then, in mid-November of that year, I started writing the first five chapters. That was six years ago. Time certainly flies. So much happened in my life during those years,…
Are you in the habit of doing a regular check-in with yourself? Taking a few moments to ask you how things are going is a healthy way to reset your day. Think about it. You often ask others how they are doing. And friends and family probably check in on you every now and then, asking how you are doing. But when was the last time you did a personal check-in? For me, it could look something like this: I…
I have always been fascinated with how people become inspired to create things. “What made them think of that?” I often ask. At a young age, I remember visiting museums during school field trips and marveling not just at the works of art, but also that someone could translate a creative idea into a tangible thing of beauty. This weekend, my two sons and I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. What a…
The joy of accomplishment sure is a good feeling when it hits you. Usually you feel it right away, but sometimes it can take a while to catch up. That is what I experienced today with Planet of Eden. You would think after having written, edited, and proofread the manuscript, designed the pages, did the layout, photographed and designed the cover, published the book as an independent author, directed a book trailer, and then engaged in an ambitious marketing campaign…
There have been so many times in my life when all I wanted was to see a sign that things would change. I am sure you can relate. All it takes is one big crisis. You are faced with a major decision, you don’t know what to do, and you become confused, frightened, and full of doubt. Then, as a last resort, you send a prayer up to Heaven like this: “God, if you would just show me a sign,…
Besides creating a gripping story, realistic characters, and fantastic worlds, when writing my new novel, Planet of Eden, I also wanted to include themes that would be both familiar and challenging. One such theme is the idea of men being “real men.” I have admitted that I am a fan of classic love stories, and, in my opinion, there is nothing more romantic than a man expressing his love to a woman through his innate strength and manhood. Whether by…
I have met many people who tell me in either words or body language that they value their independence above all else. When self-reliance becomes our highest ideal, though, is that not being dependent on independence? On the eve of Independence Day here in the US, I am especially drawn to this idea. Independence implies liberty. Whether as a nation or an individual, to be dependent on no one means having total freedom. When our freedom is threatened, we tend…
A few weeks ago, I stretched myself creatively by singing a classic Frank Sinatra song at karaoke night: “The Best is Yet to Come.” Until then, my singing repertoire included mostly classic rock and modern country music. It was time, however, for me to try something different, and this song had a message for me. For the past year, I have been using three things as healthy distractions to help me overcome grief: singing, learning to play the guitar, and…
