by T. A. Barron | Nov 11, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Young Heroes
You Are the Author of Your Own Story Today I’m inviting you to see your life as a story! Episode 6 Excerpt by T. A. Barron | Magic & Mountains: The T. A. Barron Podcast https://tabarron.com/wp-content/uploads/Life-as-a-Story-Quotes.mp3 As we journey through life,...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 28, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Keeping Your Story Boat Afloat Did you know that before my first manuscript was published, I received 32 rejections? Thirty-two “no thank you”s. Thirty-two “we’ll pass.” Thirty-two “thanks, but no thanks.” That, friends, is A LOT of nos. But fortunately, not enough...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 13, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers
Using Mythology to Write Fantasy: Creating the Merlin Saga Children and young adults understand both the fun and the power of a good story. What could be more exciting than traveling without limits to other times, other value systems, and other universes? Creating...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 17, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
All Your Writing Questions, Answered! Other writers often ask me questions about how I started writing and for advice on their writing. I try answering your emails and Facebook posts and responding to as many writing questions as possible, but sometimes I can’t get to...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 23, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, Sweepstakes
Giant Courage Writing Contest Looking for Something? Search for: Get News! * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name * Connect with Me CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3) Articles (7)...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 28, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, On Reading, On Writing
The Power of Stories Writers have a special power — the power of stories. Authors, at their very core, are storytellers. When we publish a book, we invite readers into a different world and tell them about what they’ll find there. Storytelling is an art form...
by T. A. Barron | May 25, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Young Heroes
One Step Closer to Your Dream “A life — whether seamstress or poet, farmer or king — is measured not by its length, but by the worth of its deeds, and the power of its dreams.” — MERLIN: The Mirror of Fate To be a writer has always been my dream. My first creations,...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 2, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Nature Lovers, For Writers, On Nature & the Environment, On Writing
Nature as a Character Making characters come alive is one of the trickiest but most important elements of writing. Before I start to write, I usually take extensive notes about each character. I then expand that description even further as I get to know them better...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 9, 2021 | Blog, Contests, Encouraging Writers, For Nature Lovers, On Nature & the Environment
Love of Nature Photo Contest Looking for Something? Search for: Get News! * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name * CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate (1) Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3)...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 20, 2020 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How to Become a Better Writer Using Villains I often receive letters and messages from fans asking for writing advice, and I do my best to point them toward the many resources for writers on my website. But as we move closer to Halloween, I thought I’d offer those...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 8, 2020 | Blog, Contests, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Once Upon a Villain Looking for Something? Search for: CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate (1) Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3) Articles (9) Blog (147) Book Excerpt (22) Books (48)...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 19, 2017 | Blog, Books, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Giving Birth to a New Book The very first time I hold a new book that I’ve written, I gently give it a loving hug… just as if it were a newborn baby. And maybe, in a way, it is. For giving a new book to the world is the closest thing to delivering life that I...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 21, 2016 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, Events, For Educators, News
Kids Find the Magic at Merlin Camp! A very special event for kids aged 9-12 was held in Boulder earlier this month… the inaugural week of Merlin Camp, brand new for 2016! Eleven young wizards joined the camp counselors from Boulder Bookstore and Boulder Public...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 15, 2016 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Nature & the Environment, On Writing
How Are You Inspired by Nature? While hiking in California some years ago, I found the most magnificent tree I’d ever seen—a redwood of such grandeur that I nearly fell over backward trying to see its highest boughs. As I came closer, the smell of its resins enveloped...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 30, 2015 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing, Personal Writing
The Crazy Story of How I Met Madeleine L’Engle If you walk in the direction of your dreams, you open yourself to serendipity, and good things will happen. Maybe the best example I can give you of this is how I met Madeleine L’Engle. I had just received the latest of...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 21, 2015 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How I Got My Start As A Writer I have always loved the world of stories, ever since I was a kid. In fact, I loved stories so much that I even made up my own little magazine when I was in 5th or 6th grade. Unfortunately that little venture almost got me expelled when I...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 28, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Questions from Readers About How I Develop And Write My Stories One of the best things about being a writer with lots of loyal readers is the opportunity to answer your questions! From time-to-time I write on this blog to answer some of your questions. This post is...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 11, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Some Notes About My Writing Process New and aspiring writers often ask published writers, “What’s your process?” It feels a little funny to talk about the writing process, because it’s something I’m always learning about as well — even though I’ve been doing it...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 13, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Questions from Readers About Writing and What Influenced Me to be a Writer I’m often asked questions by other writers on how I got started writing, and for advice to them on their own writing. I try to answer as many of your emails and Facebook posts as I can, but...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 1, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Part II: How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part II of a two-part series on how I write. For part I, please click here.) I need to get three elements worked out before I can start a new book: Detailed descriptions of each new character; a big idea...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 13, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part I of a two-part series on how I write. For part II, please click here.) It’s the question fans always ask: “How do you write your stories?” Writers say they hate this question, and probably...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 11, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Growing Your Own Story “There are three essential rules for writing. Unfortunately … nobody knows what they are.” Encouraging words? But when a good friend who was an accomplished writer said them to me, her eyes sparkled. It’s taken me several years—and several books...