Today I’m hosting one of my favorite guests – Teagan! She’s so much fun, and a highly creative writer, as evidenced by her book, Three Things Serial. Who else could make short stories out of random things suggested by blog readers? It’s Friday, today is Cinco de Mayo, and the penguin in the question below has the right idea.
The Three Things Serial Story
Hi Teri. It’s great to be at your blog again. When I started my blog (Teagan’s Books) at the end of 2012, I did a few posts. By 2013 I wanted a theme — something more than just talking about my novel (Atonement, Tennessee) each week. That’s how the first of my serials began — The Three Things. I expanded on a writing exercise I developed long ago. (I would ask friends to give me three completely random things. Then I would write until I had mentioned all the things.) So I brought that exercise to my blog, but I had the readers send me their things. I let the things drive every detail of a serial story, setting, plot, and characters. The serial took shape and my blog grew with it. Eventually I did four different serials.

Blurb — the Three Things Serial, a Little 1920s Story
Pip, a modern woman — a flapper, begins the first of several adventures. In this story a mysterious white-haired woman is kidnapped. Pip finds a bent key, a scrap from a special quilt, strange tattoos and other “things.” Later, Pip and her friends find themselves on a luxurious yacht where they encounter figures from history and celebrities of the era. The mystery comes to the forefront when they reach the destination, the gilded mansion, Cà d’Zan.
While any of the serials were being created at my blog, people would ask for a book version. So I’ve finally made time to “book-ize” the first serial! Here’s the Kindle version and the paperback. Now I’ve almost finished book-izing the second serial, Murder at the Bijou, Three Ingredients-I. It will be coming your way soon!
Link to novella launch: https://teagansbooks.com/2016/12/02/book-launch-the-three-things-serial-story/
Now for answers to your so very creative questions!
What’s the most constructive criticism you’ve been given in your writing career?
Write what you know. That doesn’t mean that I don’t learn new things in order to write a different story. I’m a research geek. It’s hard to stop myself from jumping onto long research tangents. However, I like some basic element of the story (such as the location) to be something I know well.
If you could tell your younger writing-self anything, what would it be?
Don’t listen to your parents — go ahead and write any story you want. Does that sound rebellious? Well, I was in sixth grade and started writing short stories. They got attention from my teachers. My parents didn’t want that, so they told me I’d better stop doing that right now. So I didn’t start writing in earnest until my late thirties.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
For The Three Things Serial Story, I think that would be one of the less important characters, Flavio Fabro. From the beginning, I thought he was a player.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
As a writer, I always saw myself as strictly working in the fantasy genre. However, when I decided to use my three things exercise at my blog, I knew that method worked best with mystery stories. So I took a deep breath, and jumped into the mystery arena. It’s still not how I see myself, but I’m comfortable writing that kind of mystery.
What’s your favorite kind of cookie and why?
Shortbread. I’ve always liked shortbread cookies. However, in adulthood I developed a nasty and huge allergy to eggs. It’s hard to find cookies, pastries, or any dessert (heck, anything period!) without eggs hiding in it somewhere. Shortbread cookies usually don’t have eggs.
What’s the last thing you watched on TV/Netflix?
I cut the Comcast cord about three years ago, and I’ve never looked back. For me, television consists of YouTube and Netflix. I’m totally fine with that. That gives me more TV than I could possibly watch. At this writing the last things I watched were a Steven Colbert sketch via YouTube, and on Netflix, an episode of Murdoch Mysteries.
A penguin walks through the door wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
Don’t you wish you could be this cool for Cinco de Mayo? See me in my tuxedo and sombrero? I’m the cat’s pajamas, huh? Thank God Prohibition is over! I’ll have a margarita. Time to get spifflicated.
If you were an animated character, who would you be and why?
I admit that some anime is a guilty pleasure for me. (Just like movies and TV, some of it objectifies women way too much, and even sexualizes young girls. I don’t like those. Others, however are very good.) So I think I would be Kagome from the Inuyasha series. As a young girl I always fantasized about other eras. Kagome goes back to feudal Japan.
This was fun, Teri. Thanks for having me over! Hugs.
Buy Links:
Kindle version and the paperback
Teagan on Social Media:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordain-Geneviene/e/B00HHDXHVM
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teagangeneviene
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeagansBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teagangeneviene/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM-z7_iH5t2_7aNpy3vG-Q
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagangeneviene
Always fun to see what is going on in Teagan’s life. Thanks, Teri.
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I suspect it’s never boring. Thanks, John!
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🙂
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Thank you kindly John. I value your support and friendship more than you could know. Hugs.
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Aw. Thank you, Teagan. 🙂
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LOL, and I just re-re-followed your blog by email. I feel almost like a stalker. 😉
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Why does that happen I wonder?
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Teagan, did I read that correctly about your parents NOT wanting you to write? That’s just…sad. I’m glad you eventually went back to doing it!
I enjoy some anime (and manga) too, although most of it is old stuff. And I love mysteries 🙂
Nice to see you here on Teri’s blog.
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I had the same thoughts about Teagan’s writing, Mae. My oldest son used to write stories when he was around 6-7 years old – still have all of them.
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That’s when I started writing too 🙂
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Hi Mae! Thank you and Teri for those kind and supportive words. Yes, you read it correctly. What can I say… some people are raised by wolves. I was raised by hillbillies.
Thanks so much for taking time to visit. Mega hugs.
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A great interview. I love how your books came to be. So glad you didn’t pay attention to your parents and wrote anyway, even if it was a few years later!!
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I agree, Darlene. If you’re going to rebel, this was a good choice.
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Thank you kindly, Darlene. 🙂 Have a fabulous Friday! Hugs.
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Teagan, you have a powerful imagination to be able to weave three random suggestions into a story – ver impressive indeed!
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Aw, thank you, John. It’s huge fun for me. I’d love to do a new blog serial, but those posts are extremely labor intensive. Mega hugs.
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I can well imagine that they are.
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Agreed!
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Reblogged this on Teagan's Books and commented:
I’m at Teri Polen’s Indie Author Friday. We’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Stop by her place and say hello!
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Thanks so much for letting me visit, Teri. It’s great to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with you. Hugs.
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A pleasure to have you, Teagan – hugs to you!
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You had me at shortbread! Great getting to know you better.
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Hi Staci. Right?! Who could resist shortbread? 😀 Thanks so much for commenting. Hugs!
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I like shortbread – but it’s better with chocolate dumped over it. Nearly everything is.
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Hello and I came via Teagan’s link. Lovely to learn new things about Teagan.. She is such a clever writer with such a rich variety of characters, So it was a real pleasure reading Teagans answers to these clever questions..
Wishing you a lovely weekend
Regards Sue 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by, Sue!
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My pleasure 🙂 And so enjoyed the post with Teagan.. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Lovely to get to know you a little better, Teagan! 🙂
Thank you, Teri, for sharing this with us.
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You’re very welcome, Natalie – always a pleasure hosting Teagan.
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Interesting interview, Teri and Teagan. I enjoyed reading your answers to creative questions, Teagan. Mmm, shortbread cookies are one of my favorites. Great answer for the penguin walking through the door! 🙂 TGIF.
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Thanks, Mary. I liked the penguin answer myself.
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Great interview and very entertaining.. thank you Teri and Teagan. I love all things Three Ingredients and they are synonymous with great writing, imagination and fun. hugs to you both.
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Thanks, Sally – and yes, all excellent ingredients!
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Reblogged this on firefly465.
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Great interview, Teri and Teagan. I cracked up when you described not liking Flavio from the beginning since you had the feeling he was a player. Well, yeah, you invented him, or did you? It’s one of the coolest things about writing – that our characters are who they are, and we go through this process of getting to know them, including an instinctual reaction to them. Loved that!
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Yes – I agree completely, Diana! But try explaining that to most non-writers and they look at you like you’ve grown horns.
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So true, but so much fun. 🙂
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What a fun way to write, Teagan. I would never think of writing like that but I have found writing for prompts often helps me with my book writing.
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Fun interview, Teri, and it’s always a treat to hear more from the dynamic Teagan and her many adventures.
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Teagan does has some exciting adventures – thanks, Jet!
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Thank you for interviewing the lovely Teagan, Teri! Isn’t she a hoot?! I’ve also learned some new things about her, I love learning about authors I read!
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So do I, Kathryn – tells you more about them and how their minds work. And yes, Teagan is definitely a hoot!
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Thanks Teri for bringing us a behind-the-scenes view of Teagan. Good job on that penguin question 🙂
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You’re welcome, Dan – I was quite partial to that penguin answer. Thanks for dropping by!
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Interesting about your parents. I didn’t start writing seriously until I was in my 40s. Love me some shortbread, lends itself well to some Devon cream or apricot preserves.
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Thinking about shortbread with apricot preserves kind of gives me a craving.
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Really enjoyed this intereview and totally enjoyed learning a little bit more about Teagan’s childhood. Great questions thought it was wonderful, you are right Teagan no eggs in shortbread Will have to make some for you!!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Suzanne – thanks for dropping by!
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I loved this interview and I am going to look for eggless recipes for you. Just give me some time . Hugs Gerlinde
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Thanks for stopping by, Gerlinde!
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Great interview, Teri. I’ve followed several of Teagan’s serials but I’m forever learning new things about her writing methods and likes and dislikes. Thanks and best of luck! (I was lucky enough to win a copy of her serial in paper!)
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Thanks, Olga! Wouldn’t you just love to spend a day in Teagan’s head to see how her mind works? So creative.
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Teagan is such fun, and the humor comes through! Thoroughly enjoyed this!
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Thanks, Noelle!
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Teri, I don’t know where to begin. This is an incredible interview of an amazing subject. You and Teagan tap danced through this with flying colours. Enjoyed, shared, because, wow, this needs to be shared. Thanks for a brilliant start to the weekend.
Hope this weekend treats you all kindly.
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Thanks, Donna – I’m blushing. Teagan always livens up the place, doesn’t she? Have a great weekend!
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Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Awesome interview. I loved the Inuyasha series watch the reruns of the ones I don’t own .
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Thanks for sharing!
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Great post, Teagan. Thanks for all the information about your writing. Thanks Teri for having Teagan as a guest. 🙂 — Suzanne
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You’re welcome – always love having Teagan over!
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out featured Indie Author Teagan Riordain Geneviene on the Books and Such blog
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Thanks, Don!
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You’re welcome
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Interesting!
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Thanks, Traci!
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You’re welcome, Teri!
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Another Murdoch Mysteries fan! Yay! I loved the movies and can’t for Season 10 to be available on Netflix (it’s in my queue but availability is unknown). This was a most delightful interview, Teri and Teagan 🙂 💕
P.S. I also love shortbread cookies 🙂
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Thanks, Tina!
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Love that writing exercise. I’ve used it in my own writing and given it to others when I teach. That she’s turned it into a novella (which I also love) is awesome. 🙂 On my TBR list.
Also, big fan of shortbread cookies. ❤
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Lots of shortbread cookie fans here. That writing exercise would definitely get the brain cells kicking around.
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Fascinating, entertaining, and enlightening interview. My parents weren’t thrilled with my young writing either. Basically, they didn’t like it because my characters (or the narrator, who was often me) was not always happy. My dad would write in the corners – “who cares about your little troubles? Keep it happy”). That stopped my writing for a while, until like Teagan I was in my 30s. Stories can be scary for relatives, no doubt about it. They want to see their daughter/niece/wife/aunt, etc. a certain way, and even fiction by the person they ‘thought they knew’ can be frightening to them.
Fun interview questions and answers. Good job, both of you! 🙂
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Thanks, Pam – I always enjoy doing these interviews. A little serious mixed with fun.
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Wonderful to see Teagan here! And great questions you’ve asked of her 🙂 I admire Teagan for stepping out of her comfort zone writing fantasy and starting to go the mystery writing route. Why limit ourselves to one genre, right?!
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Thanks, Christy! I agree – nothing wrong with diversifying, right?
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You asked Teagan some terrific questions. Everything is so much fun when Teagan is around. I love her quirky and mostly upbeat writing.
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Thanks, Michelle! You’re right – Teagan brings the fun with her.
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What a fun interview! I loved reading about Teagan and enjoyed the questions and answers. Well done Teagan and Teri! By the way, shortbread cookies––yum!
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Thanks, Vashti – I think the overall consensus for shortbread cookies is definitely yum!
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