Tina Glasneck, USA Today Bestselling Author

Enter the story world of dragons, magic, and romantasy

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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.

Woot! Winner!

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Winner! Thursday Threads

I’m happy to share that I won this past week’s #ThursThreads, a weekly flashfiction contest hosted by author Siobhan Muir.

What is flash fiction?

Flash fiction is when you tell a story in 250 words or less. It’s a great challenge that often can wake up the fingers to write.

I must admit that I needed this win. The past 40 days have been super hard with ongoing health challenges leaving me both physically and mentally exhausted. Yet, this week, I wanted to create something, just to lean in and listen to my muse a bit. This gave me an opportunity to write without overtaxing myself and hope that I’d been missing as I silently struggled.

The battlefield was quiet now.

When the first line came to me, I saw it in technicolor, almost as if I stood on that bloodied field. I could feel my chest pounding, my body aching, and the weight of so much betrayal which I carried on my shoulders. It was visceral.

I can never predict how the muse will behave. Writing allows me to live a thousand lives (or maybe even remember past ones (???) the jury is out on that. But when it takes over the physical senses and becomes so real, I am happy to pen it on the paper (or page).

Wriiting is different for every author.

It is finding the magic in the shadows as the story unfolds…

Currently healing, I’d be remiss to say it was just a one-off. I know that this is only a snippet of a story that will come to life; its germinating in my soul, sprouting roots, and when the idea is formed, it’ll be planted.

And I can’t wait.

This marks my 5th win in the #ThursThreads contest. I am stoked and honored.

You can read the story and learn more about the honorable mentions, as well as the runner-ups and more stories here.

The Cusp of Change

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Do you feel it? We are on the cusp of change.

And I thought a lot about us.

No, this is not about to get creepy or stalkerish. I mean in the sense of the importance of community. As one of my readers, you are a vital part of all that I do.

This past weekend, I spent 3-days with a 30-hour meditation workshop. It was amazing, powerful, and life-changing. It also gave me so much peace of mind. I’ve been meditating daily, practicing yoga, and journaling. Yes, I’ve been working through all of my mental blocks to grow.

 Just when it comes to learning about the power of deep breathing to calm the mind has allowed me to respond differently to my everyday. So far, I’ve continued my daily yoga and meditation practices. Not because I have to, but because it helps me to feel better.

 The thing about life is that we are not meant just to survive. We are here to thrive. I know this sounds all woo-woo! Yet, because I write about magic, I like to think that we can indeed find it in our daily lives with the family, friends, and peers we choose to share our time and lives with. Certainly, no man is an island. In this global community, we are all connected. 

Mindfulness

The older I get, the more the existential question of the meaning of life hits. But through taking time, I’ve come to understand that life is about contribution and community. In writing down goals and analyzing them, I’ve found that storytelling is my cornerstone of happiness. My goal is always to provide escapism through the tropes of kick-butt heroines, who are defeating monsters tackling evil, peeling back layers to display our shared humanity. Nothing is ever easy, but it is through growth that characters overcome and prevail. No matter if they are young or midlife, life has a way of throwing us curveballs and opportunities to grow. I like to think that each story echoes a place in the ecosystem where you can find yourself and relate.

Community

And you are a part of that community.

This community we’ve built, to be honest, is one thing that helps me to get out of bed daily and to continue to create. The idea of these characters and my world may be from my imagination, but through sharing these gifts and things with you, they can continue to take shape and come to life.

So, thank you so much for joining me in this community we’re building, and we’re not done yet!

TINA GLASNECK is a USA TODAY and international bestselling author. She enjoys creating tales inspired by Norse mythology, mythological creatures, and kickass heroines. In 2021, she will be sending a catalog of her books to the moon with the Writers on the Moon Project.

Writers on the Moon: Tina Glasneck’s Stowaways

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Image of the Writers on the Moon Payload, courtesy of Dr. Susan Kaye Quinn, Writersonthemoon.com

We’re one step closer on the Writers on the Moon mission with our lunar time capsule with Astrobotic. Now it’s time to reveal who my stowaways are for this mission.

The Writers on the Moon payload has been shipped and delivered to Astrobotic to start the cleanroom assembly process and integration into the Peregrine Lander.

There are so many steps to getting this off the ground, with so many moving parts. Yet,  I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.

Introspection

I’m a writer, composing stories is my passion — be it urban fantasy, paranormal romance, fantasy or anything else. I find solace in words.

Yet, throughout creating the files, my portion of the payload, I spent days contemplating over every word. I’m quick to say that I was trying to find ways to weave my entire life together in a two-page document. It wasn’t the facts of my life that brought me to my knees, as every struggle and triumph helped shape me. Life is more than pain — it is the hope-filled light of love, friendships, faith, and laughter that paint each day with a new beauty. It is from the warmth those moments bring us that helps to propel us forward.

A part of me was an enigma, even to myself. Looking back and finding out all that I’d done over these 42 years has amazed me. Scouring the internet produced long-lost interviews, writings, and even an IMDB listing and page.

I’d been so busy fighting to become someone that I’d let slip away the fact that I was indeed already someone.

Now, placing my lovely stone moon-inspired crown on my head, I step into my purpose, my light.

This seems to be a great time to announce who my stowaways are.

Who are my stowaways?

As a stowaway, those included were able to submit a question. The question was tagged with either the asker’s name (and in some cases, their name and the name of someone they wished to honor).

My thought in doing this is that everyone included would be able to look up at the night sky and find hope. Even more, their names will be discovered by future anthropologists, as well! A bright spot of hope that glows every night.

The nine stowaways are:

Elizabeth James, Scott Reid, Patricia J Burrett, Sandi Kimbauer,Barbi Morales, Jerilynn Rodriquez, Eleanor Elizabeth Forman, George Corcoran, and, Amee Foster

All slots for the stowaways have been filled, and the recipients of these spots notified.

Over the coming months, I expect so much more to come out about this project.

The Writers on the Moon project has even been added to the Astrobotic’s Wikipedia page. Yay!

What an exciting journey, and I am so happy to share it with you.

Important information about the Lunar Time Capsule

  • There are officially 125 writers on the Writers on the Moon Manifest. On their personal manifests, many writers included stowaways. Writers from around the world are a part of this wonderful project.
  • The Lunar Time Capsule will be sent via Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lander.
  • Currently, the mission is scheduled for sometime in 2021.

This blog will be continuously updated as the mission progresses, so stay tuned.

Want to visit the official Writers on the Moon blog? Check it out here.

Missed my prior posts about the Writers on the Moon mission? Catch up.

Writers on the Moon is also onboard the Lunar Codex.