Tina Glasneck, USA Today Bestselling Author

Enter the story world of dragons, magic, and romantasy

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New Music New Reality

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Today I’m rewriting my past, with a changed mindset, and embracing my new reality.

We are told many things growing up, receiving tons of nasty or negative messaging.

Sometimes, that includes messages that our heart’s desires will never come true and that we should stop trying.

I’ve always been drawn to music and the arts.

Art feeds other forms of art.

But due to limitations, I thought those days of singing were long gone… dreams that just weren’t meant to come into fruition. Today, though, I sort of wish I could go back and tell my younger self that it would all be okay, that young Tina would become this Renaissance woman, capable of breaking glass ceilings, following her heart, and will find her happiness.

Creation, bringing something from an idea into reality, is like no other feeling. It is physically manifesting a new reality of something that you only saw as possible in your mind and now can hold in your hands, listen to, and just enjoy.

The Process

I don’t know if you remember, but a couple of months ago, I mentioned how I was starting a story, and the character would only speak with poetry. This is one of the heartwrenching poems. But even when the poem was done, there wasn’t a sense that the journey was over. It called me to do more with it.

Yes, I went out in search of a producer and we worked on it.

Then, no longer was it just about the words, the lyrics I’d created, but a chance for me to sing again, too.

I took it.

The Result

I grasped ahold to a future I only saw in my mind’s eye and gripped on to it for dear life.

No matter where this will take me, I’ve created a piece of life’s soundtrack, and hearing my melodic voice will always prove that I am truly unstoppable.

“Vibe with Me”

Written by Tina Glasneck, and performed with Nicholas Berg

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New Music Coming Soon

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Stories usually have a way to begin…

It is the process of sitting in my imaginary café, meeting up with characters. Characters usually appear as if summoned.

Luckily, they tell me their stories. Some come in, take a seat, and don’t have anything to say. Others chit-chat but don’t have enough substance to create a full story around them (or they don’t quite know who they are at the moment), while others are like meeting up with an old friend.

My current work-in-progress did none of the usual. Instead of sitting in my imaginary cafe, she wanted to communicate through poetry.

Writing leads to more

There are times that the words, which flowed, were gut-wrenching, other times triumphant. She caused me to place a mirror up to myself, to peel back a layer.

From one such poem, Vibe with Me came to be.

But having a poem was not the end.

Suddenly, as if serendipitous, I found myself looking for a producer willing to work with me.

I met the wonderful Nicholas Berg.

The Process

Unsure of what I was doing, I jumped off of that bridge as quickly as I could, and Nicholas helped to give me the confidence I needed to not only write the song but to sing on the track. As such, this harmony track brings it all to life, and I can’t wait for you to get a chance to listen to it too.

A woman’s heart is truly filled with stories and treasure.

I learned this by listening to the soft voice and feeling the nudging that this is something I needed to do.

What happens when a poem leads to music?

I’m an author of fiction.

But something is calling me to dive deeper…and write all of the words. So, today, I will add singer-songwriter to my credentials, and walk through this door that has newly opened to me.

Join me, as we vibe together! Head over to Youtube and subscribe

Krampus

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It’s December 5th, and that means… Krampus is coming to town!!!!

Over the years, I’ve seen his popularity grow. But I thought a bit of an introductory post might be helpful in letting you know who this figure from lore and legend is…

Who is Krampus?

Krampus is the half-goat, half-demon, bad Santa, dates back to pagan times. He has sharp teeth, a long tongue, large claws, is tall, hairy like a goat and with cloven hooves, has a long tail, sometimes can be seen with chains, and carries a sack and switches. He is said to appear to take away those who have made the naughty list.

Yep, that sack isn’t for toys but to stuff the bad boys and girls (and adults) into it. 

This holiday figure has gained attention over the years, even with some Christmas horror movies, like the movie named after him, called Krampus, A Christmas Horror Story, Krampus: The Reckoning, Krampus: The Christmas Devil, and more (as listed on IMDB)

Yep, he even has a song “Karol of the Bells”.

As Krampus becomes more popular in pop culture, we see more with the Krampuslauf (The Krampus Run).

In Southern Germany, Austria, and even here in the States, many places participate in Krampus Night by dressing up, watching the Bad Santa parade, and even enjoying this anxious-filled yuletide. Yep, it’s sort of like if Halloween and Christmas had a terrifying and shaggy baby with horns that walked around with large cowbells, a sack, and switches.

He has pagan origins. Some mention that Krampus was once a fertility god, and could be associated with Pan—at least physically and that he was part of the winter solstice rituals. Legend even proclaims him to be the son of Lady Hel, from Norse mythology.

Why is Krampus associated with St. Nicholas?

In Germany, December 6th is known as St. Nicholas Day, when St. Nicholas will place sweets into the shoes of good girls and boys. But on the night before, St. Nicholas (St. Nick) goes from house to house with Krampus (who also is wearing chains). You see, St. Nicholas was a known exorcist. This would then make Krampus the one who is doing St. Nicholas’s bidding – totally changes the idea of Santa Clause.

I’m happy to share my love of lore and legend, and since Krampus plays a major part in A Half-Cocked Vampire: A Vampire Urban Fantasy, I invite you to continue to dive into this holiday tale, now knowing about the magic of Krampus, too!

Wanderlust & Metamorphosis

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To become a butterfly, the caterpillar has to grow, change, and molt. A writer does, too.

Every time I sit down at my computer to write, a new adventure starts.

In fiction, I love to take a character, chase them up and tree, and throw rocks at them. Those hard decisions cause growth.

For so long I wandered aimlessly. I struggled, unable to shake off the muck from my everyday. Haunted by a sense of wanderlust and knowing that my life was so much more than what I was experiencing.

Then a flip switched.

I had to come to a decision and face life head-on.

Entering the Chrysalis

This year, I was sick for 4 months, which prompted emergency surgery, and in that chaos I found certainty, in the reflection almost a new life as if I were shedding my old self to crawl from a chrysalis, unfurling my beautiful blue wings to reclaim a freedom I never thought to lose. You see, fiction is a combination of truths — even if it is just the author’s inner journey that presents keys to a sometimes invisible cage.

Being sick for so long, I learned the value of becoming my advocate — not only for health things but also just in my everyday life. That has meant taking the time to silence those words of self-doubt, releasing fears, and finding that magic that’s all around, seizing the days and nights.

Often this life itches, and is uncomfortable. Even more, it seems as though we continue to find ourselves playing in the halls of middle school, trying to find our way. But what if it isn’t about the destination but the journey to self-discovery?

Butterfly Emerges

Though we wander in this magical forest of literature, a landscape filled with possibilities, therein we might also find exactly what we need and never knew what we were looking for.

Violet blue butterfly, isolated on white

This is so true when I read this Tolkien quote!

Although written before my time, it still gives me so much peace. Even more, it encourages me to shine my light brightly!

Life is the adventure we make it to be. There is more to it than those tough times, the struggles and fears. Be it good or bad, we are individually responsible for achieving our happy-ever-afters.

I’m taking that leap of faith regardless of what else may be out there or coming my way.

Yes, here are vampires, dragons, and the supernatural.

Life continues to teach me this valuable lesson, as well as the characters who continue to come forth and allow me to create their tales.

I will forever strive to make the most out of this life, fluttering my butterfly wings, spreading magic along the way, and wander in continued joy and wonderment.

Yep, let’s make the most of it!

Astrobotic Peregrine Mission 1 Patch: Writers on the Moon

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It’s official! The Astrobotic Peregrine Mission 1 patch has arrived, and it’s glorious.

Today’s a great day for an update on this life-changing project, at least for me. I’m at my desk for the first time in a while, to again work. This year has proved challenging with so many health struggles, but still, I look ahead at all that is to come, with a hopeful heart, and kindness as my guide.

What is Astrobotic?

Astrobotic Technology develops space robotics for space missions. As a part of its first commercial launch, the Writers on the Moon project will send 125 authors’ work in a lunar time capsule.

Going to the Moon?

Since joining the Writers on the Moon project, I haven’t quite looked at the moon the same way. But looking back, well, the moon has played a part of my life for a while.

It’s as though the moon inspires me to keep moving forward, not allowing shortcomings to determine my every day.

Fun fact, in high school, I was called Moonbeam. I guess this is just meant to be for sure!

There is something about the moonlight that now gives me hope—hope for a better tomorrow. In the stillness of the night, I cast my gaze above and breathe. For some reason, there under that light that envelops us all, I feel seen, heard, and understood.

It is as though that bright ball in the sky eases away my tension, and under the night sky, during the celestial dance, peace is my bounty, purpose my song.

As one of the authors with the opportunity to send my catalog of books to the moon in a lunar time capsule, I rejoice every step of the way. I’m well aware that this is not an everyday occurrence. It is about so much more than just me. I like to think that it will give others hope, too, just as it has acted as a balm to my soul.

Yep, my work is going to the moon!

I’m still finding my way, but forever grateful for the moon’s guiding light to illuminate my path.

The Patch

Here is the Astrobotic Peregrine Mission 1 patch, as well as a patch created for me! (I hope to one day soon get my patches up and ready as well, once I have the green light from the WOTM project).

Astrobotic Patch and Writers on the Moon Patch for Tina Glasneck

All of the space news has me excited. How about you?

Want to learn more about Writers on the Moon? Read the first blog post announcement. Click here.

Of course, you can read the official reports from Astrobotic’s official press release, here.

Writers on the Moon is also onboard the Lunar Codex.