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        • THE MERLIN SAGA
          • GIANT: The Unlikely Origins of Shim – Prequel to The Merlin Saga
          • Merlin Book 1: The Lost Years – Book 1 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 2: The Seven Songs – Book 2 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 3: The Raging Fires – Book 3 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 4: The Mirror of Fate – Book 4 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 5: A Wizard’s Wings – Book 5 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 6: The Dragon of Avalon – Book 1 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 7: Doomraga’s Revenge – Book 2 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 8: Ultimate Magic – Book 3 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 9: The Great Tree of Avalon – Book 1 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 10: Shadows on the Stars – Book 2 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 11: The Eternal Flame – Book 3 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 12: The Book of Magic – An Illustrated Companion to The Merlin Saga
        • THE ATLANTIS SAGA
          • Atlantis Rising – Book 1 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Atlantis in Peril – Book 2 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Atlantis Lost – Book 3 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Never Again: The Origin of Grukkar – A Prequel to The Atlantis Saga
        • ADVENTURES OF KATE
          • The Ancient One
          • Heartlight
          • The Merlin Effect
          • The Heartlight Saga Combined Edition – (Currently Out of Print)
        • OTHER NOVELS
          • Tree Girl – A Chapter Bookmorpho_butterfly
      • BOOKS TO INSPIRE – Nonfiction Books
        • THT-150The Hero’s Trail
        • WOM-150The Wisdom of Merlin – (Currently Out of Print)
      • PICTURE BOOKS
        • HAH-150High as a Hawk
        • DSW-150The Day the Stones Walked – (Currently Out of Print)
        • GH-150Ghost Hands – (Currently Out of Print)
        • WIG-150Where is Grandpa? – (Currently Out of Print)
      • NATURE BOOKS
        • TWIW_150To Walk in Wilderness – (Currently Out of Print)
        • RMNP_150Rocky Mountain National Park – (Currently Out of Print)
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        • THE MERLIN SAGA
          • GIANT: The Unlikely Origins of Shim – Prequel to The Merlin Saga
          • Merlin Book 1: The Lost Years – Book 1 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 2: The Seven Songs – Book 2 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 3: The Raging Fires – Book 3 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 4: The Mirror of Fate – Book 4 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 5: A Wizard’s Wings – Book 5 of Lost Years of Merlin Epic
          • Merlin Book 6: The Dragon of Avalon – Book 1 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 7: Doomraga’s Revenge – Book 2 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 8: Ultimate Magic – Book 3 of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 9: The Great Tree of Avalon – Book 1 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 10: Shadows on the Stars – Book 2 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 11: The Eternal Flame – Book 3 of The Great Tree of Avalon Trilogy
          • Merlin Book 12: The Book of Magic – An Illustrated Companion to The Merlin Saga
        • THE ATLANTIS SAGA
          • Atlantis Rising – Book 1 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Atlantis in Peril – Book 2 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Atlantis Lost – Book 3 of The Atlantis Saga
          • Never Again: The Origin of Grukkar – A Prequel to The Atlantis Saga
        • ADVENTURES OF KATE
          • The Ancient One
          • Heartlight
          • The Merlin Effect
          • The Heartlight Saga Combined Edition – (Currently Out of Print)
        • OTHER NOVELS
          • Tree Girl – A Chapter Bookmorpho_butterfly
      • BOOKS TO INSPIRE – Nonfiction Books
        • THT-150The Hero’s Trail
        • WOM-150The Wisdom of Merlin – (Currently Out of Print)
      • PICTURE BOOKS
        • HAH-150High as a Hawk
        • DSW-150The Day the Stones Walked – (Currently Out of Print)
        • GH-150Ghost Hands – (Currently Out of Print)
        • WIG-150Where is Grandpa? – (Currently Out of Print)
      • NATURE BOOKS
        • TWIW_150To Walk in Wilderness – (Currently Out of Print)
        • RMNP_150Rocky Mountain National Park – (Currently Out of Print)
      • INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS
        • Brazil
        • Bulgaria
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You Are the Author of Your Own Story

You Are the Author of Your Own Story

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,...
Keeping Your Story Boat Afloat

Keeping Your Story Boat Afloat

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...
Using Mythology to Write Fantasy: Creating the Merlin Saga

Using Mythology to Write Fantasy: Creating the Merlin Saga

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...
All Your Writing Questions, Answered!

All Your Writing Questions, Answered!

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...
Giant Courage Writing Contest

Giant Courage Writing Contest

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)...
The Power of Stories

The Power of Stories

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...
One Step Closer to Your Dream

One Step Closer to Your Dream

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,...
Nature as a Character

Nature as a Character

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...
Love of Nature Photo Contest

Love of Nature Photo Contest

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)...
How to Become a Better Writer Using Villains

How to Become a Better Writer Using Villains

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...
Once Upon a Villain

Once Upon a Villain

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)...
Giving Birth to a New Book

Giving Birth to a New Book

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...
Kids Find the Magic at Merlin Camp!

Kids Find the Magic at Merlin Camp!

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...
How Are You Inspired by Nature?

How Are You Inspired by Nature?

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...
The Crazy Story of How I Met Madeleine L’Engle

The Crazy Story of How I Met Madeleine L’Engle

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...
How I Got My Start As A Writer

How I Got My Start As A Writer

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...
Questions from Readers About How I Develop And Write My Stories

Questions from Readers About How I Develop And Write My Stories

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...
Some Notes About My Writing Process

Some Notes About My Writing Process

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...
Questions from Readers About Writing and What Influenced Me to be a Writer

Questions from Readers About Writing and What Influenced Me to be a Writer

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...
Part II: How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron?

Part II: How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron?

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...
How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron?

How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron?

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...

Growing Your Own Story

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...

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