Monday, November 2, 2015

Meet the Blogger with Tyrean Martinson


As you might have guessed, Tyrean Martinson and I met through blogging. This sweet friend is also a busy homeschool mom and talented author who writes fiction and nonfiction. Her books include A Pocket-Sized Jumble of 500+ Writing Prompts for writers like us, and Dynamic Writing, a guide for students ages 11-15.  

If you haven't already had the privilege of meeting Tyrean, I can attest that she is a well respected and faithful friend, and a cheerleader who has encouraged me and countless other writers. She is an "Everyday Writer" who does just that, and lends inspiration to many.




Welcome to Write Now, Tyrean! Tell us, why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog? 

Thanks Karen! Way back in 2009, I was reading a short story online that I loved. I noticed the author had a cool blue name with an underline. I poked it and it took me on a journey through the web to that author’s blog. It was exciting to learn more about the intriguing person behind the story that I enjoyed. I was inspired both by the story and by the author’s blog. So, I started my own blog.

It is fun to get to know authors that way! What is your blog about? 

Writing and life, and how those two intertwine. I had a year when I focused on blessings, counting ten new ones each day, but that was the only year that I had a 365-day theme. 

Your blog appeals to many, so I think you made a good choice. What benefits have you gained through blogging? 

Blogging friends and encouraging words are my main benefits! Karen, you were one of my first 15 or so followers, and I’m thankful that we’ve been able to keep in touch. It’s meant a great deal to me to read your posts over the years and receive encouraging comments from you. I am thankful for everyone who stops by and leaves comments on my blogs. 

You are so sweet! I am sure you were among my first followers as well. We are part of such a wonderful community, aren't we? What projects are you working on right now?  

For 2015, I had a massive list of goals because I wanted to get some of the stories and non-fiction built up on my hard drive out into the world. Currently, I’m prepping for the release of the final book in The Champion Trilogy, Champion’s Destiny. Clara and all of her allies are gearing up for a showdown with the Dark Sisterhood. Clara’s destiny may not be what she thinks it is.  

Sounds intriguing! Wishing you all the best with the upcoming release. Your productivity has always been inspiring. What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

My main character Clara isn’t me. Maybe that isn’t a surprise to most writers, but I’ve had readers and friends who seem to think that Clara is some kind of fantasy projection of me. That’s not the case. Some of her flaws are based on some of my own, but some are not. Certain strengths are based on my own, but some are not. I wanted to take a walk in another character’s shoes, and that’s what I try to do with all of my characters.

Another thing that people might not know is that I used to be a huge fangirl of the Bard, William Shakespeare. My mom forced me to see Henry the IV, part 1 when I was ten at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and thanks to the swashbuckling sword fights and the rude humor of Falstaff, I was hooked. I read all of Shakespeare’s plays, sonnets, and epic verse by the age of twenty-three. 

I’m not a fan of all of his plays, but I’m actually a little hyper about Shakespeare facts and get a little frustrated when there are mistakes written about his life or timeline on-line or in school history texts. I’ve read biographies of his life, watched BBC shows about him, and researched the background of certain plays like Macbeth, which is one of my favorites because of the Biblical references and the overall theme of justice, despite the utter wickedness and madness displayed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This may explain my enjoyment of flawed characters and Biblical themes in fictional settings. 

Yes, I'd say that would have made you a fangirl. :) What advice would you share with a newbie blogger? 

Write every day. 

I know it may seem like trite, over-used advice, but it makes a difference. You don’t necessarily need to blog post more than once a week, but writing every day will help your skill grow over time. If you write a list, count it. If you write a haiku, count it. Just write every day. 


This is great advice for writers of any age. It looks like it has paid off for you. Thank you for visiting today, Tyrean! You are a blessing. Wishing you well with your books. 

Thank you, Karen!

About Tyrean 

Tyrean Martinson, an everyday writer, likes to write in jeans and old Christian concert t-shirts while drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee, preferably served up in her Tinkerbell or Eeyore mugs (these are 16oz mugs, not wee cups). She teaches writing classes to home-school teens once a week, and she writes fantasy, science fiction, space opera, poetry, experimental hint fiction, and writing help and curriculum books. 

Visit Tyrean

Her Blog
Twitter 
Her Books

Tyrean's Newest Book  

Champion’s Destiny will be released via Kindle on December 4, 2015. Wide release will take place around December 11. Here is a sneak peek:

With distracting attention from a former swan prince and her mentors both in harm's way, will Clara be able to trust her team with her family secret as they race to fight the Dark Sisterhood on their terms?

Champion's Destiny is the third book in The Champion Trilogy, a Christian Fantasy series with a strong female lead and engaging secondary characters. 

Pre-order Champion's Destiny here 

Do you write something every day? What helps keep your writing growing? Have any questions for Tyrean?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen


Photo credit: Free Images

37 comments :

  1. It was great learning more about Tyrean since I follow her blog. So cool that you two connected when you first started blogging. And that's great advice to write everyday.

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    1. Thanks, Natalie! One of these days, someone needs to interview you, as well, since you do so much to highlight other authors' journeys, just like Karen.
      (Hmm, I think I may need to start a regular feature at my blog.) :)

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  2. Thank you so much for having me here, Karen!

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  3. That's a cool reason for starting a blog. (And good to know people do follow those links.)
    Most of the time, we aren't our main characters at all. Trust me, no one would like me if I was Byron.
    Great interview, ladies.

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    1. Thanks, Alex! Yes, it's kind of odd to me that people think that one of the characters is me.

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  4. Hello Tyrean! At least they didn't think the villain was based on yourself -- or did they? dun dun dun da

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  5. I really enjoyed reading this interview. How amazing, Tyrean, that you've been blogging that long. I'm a fan of Shakespeare's comedies and sonnets, but not so much the tragedies. The first book of the Champion series is on my TBR list. Looking forward to reading it!

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  6. Hi Karen - how lovely to find Tyrean here and to find out a little more about her and how the two of you became friends. I have not read all of Shakespeare's works ... I was going to study him - but I've way too much on my plate for that extra study - yet the info sits here and perhaps one day! Cheers and good luck to you both - Hilary

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    1. Thanks, Hilary! I just was really into Shakespeare when I was young enough not to have as much on my plate.

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  7. Natalie,
    I know, it's fun to learn more about this dynamic writer! :) So glad she decided to come by. Writing every day, I agree, good advice! :)

    Tyrean,
    It's always a pleasure to have you visit. So glad we could make it happen! :)

    Alex,
    Thanks for your kind words. Tyrean is a treasure! Maybe it's best to make our characters not to be like us. LOL :)

    Holly,
    Ha- now there's an interesting thought. Somehow I doubt Tyrean could ever be a bad guy though. :) Unless it's just bring a mom enforcing curfew or something. :)

    Lori,
    Glad you enjoyed it! It's always nice to have Tyrean come by. She is a real inspiration to me. :)

    Hilary,
    I agree - so glad she came to visit! Always enjoy sharing space with my blogging friends. Such a wonderful group, and that includes you too! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  8. I'm a happy blogger, too, Tyrean. Isn't Karen a jewel? I'll have to check out your blog. Best wishes!

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  9. Hey, Tyrean, so glad to see you here. Loved reading about how some folks think Clara is based on you. I'll have to get this last book in the trilogy. I guess people always suspect that we writers are fusing ourselves into the imaginary people who star in our books. And I agree that we always do add parts of us into our characters. But never the entire real deals. :-) Thanks for having her over, amigo. I enjoyed myself. xo

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    1. Well, the imagination does come from somewhere in our minds, but I don't think any particular character is me. That would be too odd. :)

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  10. Hi Tyrean - It's nice to see you here! I always enjoy learning what inspired others to start blogging. Congrats on your books.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! I'm so thankful for Karen's support and encouragement!

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  11. Hi Karen. Enjoyed your interview with Tyrean. I think I'll follow her blog!

    To answer your questions, as you know, I write daily on my blog.Life keeps my writing going, as well as feedback from Followers and readers of the blog. I LOVE the comments! Susan

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog, Susan!

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  12. I just had to stop by, if only because the name Tyrean triggered my curiosity :)
    Great interview Karen, thanks for hosting Tyrean on your blog.

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    1. Hmm. I guess I should have explained my name in the "what readers don't know about me" part. My parents watched She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and there is a scout (who happens to be an excellent horse rider) who is named Tyre. I think he has two speaking lines in the whole movie. My parents liked the name, but they wanted it to be more feminine so they extended it with a "n" sound, but while they wanted it to be clear that my name would be pronounced with a hard "e" sound, they didn't want to put two "e's" in my name so it became Tyrean. It's pronounced in a similar way to lean, mean, read, speak, etc, but the easiest explanation for the sound is that it's like Irene with a T. :)

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  13. Great interview, Karen. Helps to have a great interviewee! :-) I heartily second your sentiments about Tyrean's unflagging encouragement. She is a joy to know.

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    1. Wow! I'm blushing -literally, at my computer, blushing. Thanks, Laurel. I think that you and Karen are both huge encourag-ers. Thank you for the blessing of who you are. :)

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  14. Susan S.,
    So glad you got to meet Tyrean! And you are so kind - I think you are a jewel too! :)

    Robyn,
    Thanks so much, sweet friend! :) Tyrean is a wonderful guest, isn't she? Always good to see you!

    Susan R.,
    It's fun to get to know our blogging friends better, isn't it? Thanks for hopping over! :)

    Susan W.,
    You do write every day, I can attest to that! Your blog is such a nice stop on the web. :)

    Marja,
    I thought you might like to meet Tyrean, so I am glad you stopped. :) Thanks so much for coming to see us!

    Laurel,
    I agree, Tyrean is a wonderful guest! And a good friend and cheerleader. :) Appreciate you coming by!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  15. Thanks for introducing us to Tyrean. I love that she writes every day! That is a noble goal...

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  16. Nice to meet you, Tyrean. Thanks for the introduction, Karen! :) I love the idea that a haiku will count as writing for the day. I do try to write every day, but sometimes haiku might be the only thing I have time for!

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  17. It's so nice to meet you! I will definitely check out your links! Why haven't our paths crossed before?? :)

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  18. *waves at Tyrean* (She's my buddy.) It's true, the only way to get better at something is to do it ALL the time.

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  19. Jen,
    It is a noble goal, I agree! You are welcome, glad you two got to meet! :)

    Lisa,
    You are very welcome. Tyrean's a gem! :) Sometimes blog post comments are the only writing I can squeeze in, so don't feel bad! lol

    Terri,
    Thanks for coming by to meet Tyrean! It's funny how we can walk circles around each other online and not actually meet, isn't it?

    Crystal,
    Yes, all the time, you are right! Although you do have that riding a bike thing, where they say you never forget. Although maybe that's only if you are an elephant. Well, no matter, writing is a good thing! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  20. Tyrean and I hang out together in the same circles. She's very supportive and encouraging. It nice learning more about her. Thanks, Karen.

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  21. I'm sorry I missed this on Monday. Tyrean is an amazing woman.

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  22. Hi Karen and Tyrean! Wow, Tyrean! You are a prolific writer, that's so great! I am intrigued by your book of writing prompts. I have found those to be helpful in getting my writing juices flowing. I need to check that out. It's so nice to meet you, and to find out that you and Karen have been blog-friends for a long time :)
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  23. Joylene,
    Isn't she a treasure? I second that, she is a great encourager! :)

    Diane,
    No worries! We' re here all week. :) Glad you got a chance to stop by! :)

    Ceil,
    Glad you got meet Tyrean! You just might like the prompts. They really can be inspiring, I agree.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  24. How wonderful to see a familiar face. I also know Tyrean from blogging. Great interview.

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  25. So wonderful to meet Tyrean and learn more about her and her blog and books. The blogging community is so wonderful and I am always amazed at how large it it. I am constantly meeting new people. Wishing Tyrean the best of luck. :)
    ~Jess

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  26. Medeia,
    Thanks for coming by! Tyrean is a treasure, isn't she? :) Appreciate you stopping over to see us.

    Jess,
    So glad you got to meet Tyrean! She is a wonderful writer. I agree, the blogging community is great! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!