Spring has finally arrived in western KY! Yesterday was gorgeous and today looks to be the same. I have a treat for you today – my guest is the infamous Teagan Riordain Geneviene. Whether you’ve read her books or are a regular visitor to her blog, you’re familiar with the sparkling creativity that dwells within her mind (and if you’re not, here’s your chance), and today she’s giving us a glimpse at what has inspired her. Welcome, Teagan!
Hi Teri. Thanks for letting me visit your Writer’s Reading Corner. Hello everyone. I’m Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene and I write whimsical stories. Whether it’s a cliffhanging blog serial, an urban fantasy, or a 1920s story, everything I write has a touch of whimsy.
I’m going to discuss an old favorite of mine – The Belgariad, a series by David Eddings. It’s a true epic, high fantasy. That was the style of writing that enthralled me for a long time — Tolkienesque prose, quests, and settings. Actually it still does.
When I came upon Eddings’ work I noticed his subtle sense of humor. It was a revelation for me. High fantasy with humor? Yes!
The Belgariad also brought another revelation. Years later, I mentioned it to a coworker. He vehemently stated that he hated the book. “The characters were all such awful people!” he said.
I drew back a bit, surprised by his strong reaction. I had never seen that in his personality! Then I smiled and said that was what I loved about it, and how funny it made the characters to me. He was as surprised by my reaction as I was to his. “I guess I should read it again with that in mind.”
With a shrug I voiced the revelation he had just given me. “Books affect different people in different ways. We don’t all like the same thing. As a writer it encourages me to see that. Because if one person doesn’t like my work, the next person still might,” I told him. Poor guy, he looked utterly befuddled by the whole conversation.
Coming Up
My upcoming novel is Atonement in Bloom. That’s the sequel to Atonement, Tennesee*. Book-2 continues the misadventures of Ralda Lawton and her friends in the quaint (but far from peaceful) town of Atonement, TN. Her old house and cemetery are still there, along with Lilith the cat, quirky townsfolk, and assorted supernaturals.
I hope you’ll visit me at my blog, Teagan’s Books. Thanks for chatting with me today.
Hugs!
Teagan
Books and Such 
Oooh, I loved The Belgariad series when I read it. Granted it was a very long time ago (shortly out of high school) and I don’t remember much about it, other than I was engrossed.
Thanks for the memories, Teagan. Atonement, Tennessee is on my TBR and when you’re read to release Atonement in Bloom, I would be happy to host you on my blog!
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Hi Mae. Wow — thanks! I would like that very much. I’m glad you know the Belgariad. Lately I believe it influenced me more than I realized in the past.
Wishing you a wonder-filled, hug-filled weekend.
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You too, Teagan, and just give me a shout when you’re ready for a spot!
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You are so kind, Mae — thanks very much. I will! Hugs on the wing!
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You’ll love Atonement, Mae – and as a cat person, you’ll be just as big a fan of Lilith as I am.
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🙂
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Good morning, Teri! Happy Friday the 13th! I’m delighted to be here on this special day. Long ago I decided that “Friday the 13th” was a lucky day. It has such a fascinating history, and really gets a bad rap.
Many thanks for hosting me. Huge hugs!
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So happy to have you, Teagan! And Friday the 13th is definitely a very lucky day for me – my youngest son was born on that day.
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And by the way… I’m tickled pink to be infamous! 😉
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Reblogged this on Teagan's Books and commented:
Thanks to Teri Polen for hosting me at her Writer’s Reading Corner!
We’ll have a fun and fabulous Friday the 13th. Click on over to Teri’s place. We’re talking about books that influenced us.
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Wonderful to visit here in the writers corner.. And lovely to see what books influenced your own unique writing skills Teagan. My Son loved David Eddings books and he still loves fantasy books today..
Lovely to pop over here and Thank you Teir for hosting. Wishing you both well.. and a great imaginative weekend 😀 Sue
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Thanks so very much, Sue. So many Eddings fans. He is inspirational. Hugs!
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Thanks for visiting, Sue, and have a great weekend!
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Have a Peaceful Sunday Teri.
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It’s great to see Teagan here. I love her books and her blog and it’s always good to learn something new. Thanks, Teri!
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Hi Olga. Thanks for all of your support — and for visiting here. Hugs.
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Thanks for dropping by, Olga!
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Whenever I see Teagan’s name, I jump. I think she’s an extraordinarily gifted writer, and yes, whimsy is the word that comes to mind. I find her refreshingly unique!
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Hi Claire! You just knocked my socks off. Thanks so much. I appreciate you visiting Teri’s blog. Hugs.
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A perfect description of Teagan, Claire!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Hi Michael. Thank you kindly for sharing. Hugs!
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Thank you for another wonderful piece of writing, Teagan! Wish you a great weekend, must be wonderful in your region. Michael
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Congrats on your upcoming release, Teagan! I haven’t read The Belgariad series, but it sounds interesting 🙂
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It’s a great example of “high fantasy,” Jacquie. I was hoping to have “Bloom” ready by now… but so little time to work on the edits. Many thanks for visiting Teri’s blog. Hugs.
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Late getting here – at a book festival and traveling all day yesterday. Thanks for dropping by, Jacquie!
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How lovely to see a book review from Teagan here, Teri. I love Teagan’s blog. Her book review is also very interesting.
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Thanks Robbie. I appreciate you visiting Teri’s blog. That was just a moment that often comes back to my mind when I’m thinking about what or how to write something. Hugs.
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I’m also a fan of her blog, Robbie – her creativity is super inspiring.
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Wonderful post, Teri. Teagan is one of my most favorite people. Atonement Tennessee is an excellent book, Mae. I think you will enjoy it a lot. Good job, Teagan.
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That’s so nice of you, John — and huge thanks for the recommendation. I appreciate you visiting Teri’s blog. TGIF hugs!
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😀
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Thanks, John!
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🙂
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Lovely to see Teagan over here talking books. I hadn’t heard of the Belgariad series, and I totally agree with your point that reader tastes are all over the place. It’s fascinating and a good thing for writers… there’s always an audience for a well-written book. Speaking of books… I’m looking forward to Atonement in Bloom! Thanks Teagan and Teri. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Diana. I think you would like it. It’s an oldie but a goody.
I need to wrap up Thistledown so I can have more editing time… I am happy you could visit Teri’s blog. Hugs!
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I’m anxious to get my hands on that book also, Diana.
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I love the confidence you show by mentioning how one person might not like what you write but the next one might. It’s so true, and writers need to hear things like this. Thanks to you, Teagan and Teri for sharing.
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LOL. Hi Mary. I think it was more bravado than confidence. It was me telling myself more than him. Even so, I try to remind myself of it.
I appreciate you visiting Teri’s blog. I hope spring has finally sprung up there. Hugs.
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It’s true, Mary – not every book is for every person, and there will always be someone who doesn’t like your book. But it sure would be a boring world if everyone liked the same thing.
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Fun read!!!
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Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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What a lovely surprise, Viv. Thanks so much for reblogging. It was such fun to visit with Teri. Hugs!
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Thanks for sharing, Viv!
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A most interesting observation of David Eddings’ work. I don’t recall ever hearing an author state that they hated their characters, but what insight. Love this, Teagen and Teri. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re so kind to visit me at Teri’s blog, Jan. Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks for visiting, Jan!
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Pingback: Reading Links…4/17/18 – Where Genres Collide
How nice to see Teagan here! We are all so unique and it makes sense then that we wouldn’t all like the same books. Even with those best-selling authors like Stephen King, not everyone is a fan. It just doesn’t work like that. As with most things, it’s not all black and white. Great guest post, Teagan. I’ve been a fan of her work for a long time now. *Waving at Teri*
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Hi, Christy! I couldn’t have said it better.
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