Tina Glasneck, USA Today Bestselling Author

Enter a mythic universe of dragons, gods, and dangerous destiny.

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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.

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.