Heidi Tankersley's Blog

Hi reader friends!

Last week, I reviewed the underlines and circles I’d made on the pages of On Writing by Stephen King. I read the book several years ago but the re-read was useful. King provides a sharp perspective for writers.

One piece of advice that inspired me a second time: READ BOOKS. LOTS OF THEM.

Read because you learn how to write better. And read because it’s FUN. No diverting to television shows or cheap media or news or movies. Read, read, read those books.

I love to read. I love it so much. I’m refreshed by the reminder that when I read, I’m improving my storytelling skills.

Happy June and happy reading!

xxheidi

Hello Fellow Readers,

Happy May the 4th!

You likely know how much I enjoy a good book. Here are some of my recent reads:

Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa Damour (every parent raising a teen girl must absolutely read this book)

The Man Charles Dickens: A Victorian Portrait by Edward Wagenknecht (insight into an amazing writer and his life)

The Art of Stillness in a Noisy World by Magnus Fridh (needed!)

Kane and Able by Jeffrey Archer (an all-time best-selling novel)

The TB12 Method: How To Do What You Love Better and Longer by Tom Brady (great advice for your health and fitness, from a master himself)

Abundant Living by E. Stanley Jones (inspirational Christian devotional from the 1930’s)

First Girl Child by Amy Harmon (a fun fantasy world)

Neighbhors by Danielle Steele (in truth, not an awesome read… repetitive and empty)

I sure hope you’re finding some books to enjoy yourself!

I’ve been writing away over here–both on a new YA series, and on the MOD CODE book #4!

Stay tuned and enjoy your month of May!

xxheidi

Did you know that the size of a person’s vocabulary is directly related to their professional ranking? One particular study shows that scores on a vocabulary test administered within a corporation of 500+ people directly correlated with their positions within the company. Without a single exception, the higher up the professional ladder, the higher the scores on the vocabulary test. Without a single exception. Isn’t that crazy?

But, a large vocabulary does more than help you land your dream job; it opens up the ability to communicate better with others–and of course, helps you write with more aplomb!

Knowing the correct word to use, how to use it, and when to use it are crucial to the writing process.

It has been said that with every new word you learn, you will understand about 8-10 other words that directly relate to the word that was learned.

Here are a few ways to increase your vocabulary:

1) If you are speaking with someone and they use a word you do not know, ask them what it means.

2) When you are reading and you come across a word you do not know, look it up in the dictionary, write it down, and then use it at least five times that day. Review it the next day. Commit it to memory.

We heard a true story of a cab driver in New York City who started reading the dictionary and teaching himself new words while waiting for his next passenger. This man literally created a larger vocabulary for himself, fifty or a hundred times over. He went on to own the cab company he used to drive for! Don’t underestimate the power of words.

If you learn one new word a day, that’s 365 new ways of understanding the world in one year. If you incorporate the “rule of associated words,” that’s a potential 3,650 new “understandings” a year! Whoa! The writing world is yours!

I have a few handy books for vocabulary: Merriam-Webster’s Vocabulary Builder and The Painted Word: A Treasure Chest of Remarkable Words and Their Origins by Phil Cousineau.

Enjoy becoming a better writer with your new and improved vocabulary!

Happy April,

xxheidi

A reader emailed asking some author questions.

Here’s the Q&A:

What drew you to write YA fiction? In particular, science fiction?

I’ve always loved the young adult genre of books. YA conquers big topics in a digestible way for readers of all ages.

In regards to science fiction, specifically, my answer is two-fold:

First, I have a tendency to think deeply and regularly about God and the big questions in life. When I’m in that space, the world is vast.

Secondly, I had a vivid dream that actually turned into chapter 22 in The Mod Code (book #1 in the series). That dream set the stage for the “science-fictiony” side of the book.

What kind of language do you use and how do you handle sensitive subjects?

Do you mean inappropriate kinds of language? If so, then the answer is, I’m a pretty conservative parent—especially when it comes to what books my children read. I usually think about what words I would want my son or daughter reading when they turn thirteen, and I make sure my books would be on my own “mom allowed” list.

How did you market your books when you first started out?

A bit of social media.  A few failed attempts at contests/book competitions. Book club talks. Mainly, I knew I just needed to keep writing books so my available offerings would expand, and then, my readership could expand with it

I see your ratings are very good. How do you manage that outside of being an excellent writer? How did you get your books noticed?

In general, I don’t think anyone will get good ratings with a bad book.

My most important advice to any writer is: KEEP WRITING–and, keep IMPROVING your writing. It’s imperative to learn what makes a good book a good book. Ultimately, word won’t spread about a book if people don’t feel it’s worthwhile to share with others.

Have a lovely March my dear friends,

xxheidi

In one of my favorite personal growth and development books, Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy, he discusses seven ingredients for success. The third is loving relationships.

He writes: “[Loving relationships] are the real measure of how well you are doing as a human being. Most of your happiness and unhappiness in life comes from your relationships with others, and your relationships with others make you truly human.”

So how do you check the barometer on your loving relationships?

One great piece of advice is to monitor the amount of laughter in your home.

Tracy writes: “How often two people (or a family) laugh together is the surest single measure of how well things are going. When a relationship is truly happy, people laugh a lot when they’re together. And when a relationship turns sour, the very first thing that goes is the laughter.”

So there you go. A simple way to check the status of your relationships?

Laughter.

Start laughing with those you love.

Happy February,

xxheidi

Reading makes me happy, and this past year I read some truly AWESOME BOOKS.

Here they are:

Growing Spiritually by E. Stanley Jones

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Flower for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holley Gerth

The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler

Dear Writer, You’re Doing it Right by Rebekah Syme

The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Beneath the Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Having Our Say by Sarah L. Delaney and A. Elizabeth Delany

The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel

The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Egar

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Ultralearning by Scott Young

Finding Joy by C.S. Lewis

The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle

Happy January to you,

xxheidi

During the Christmas season, when the origination of the holiday is the mystery of the spectacular birth of Jesus, when we are called to move inward toward reflection, when we are asked to slow and quiet our hearts and be grateful, culture (especially American culture) tells us to grow more frenzied. It’s as if the funnel of our hearts, that starts at the beginning of the month wide, and ideally gathers to a point as we arrive at Christmas day, is actually flipped. We start wide, and are told to widen the funnel even further and let in the frenzy. 

May we hold our heart funnels this month in the direction that will take us to peace and stillness. May we rest as we walk through the month of December.

Sending peace to you, wherever you may be.

xxheidi

Here is a wonderful way to live and be in the world. Let us approach others in love and hold hearts of gratitude this month.

Happy November,

xxheidi

“There is no physician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the body; there is no comforter to compare with good will for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow. To live continually in thoughts of ill will, cynicism, suspicions, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison hole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find the good in all—such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring abounding peace to their possessor.” –James Allen

Hi Reader Friends,

Many of you are asking when Book 4 (the FINALE!!) of The Mod Code series will release.

Short answer: Hopefully THE END OF THIS YEAR. (Dec. 2022)

I’m SORRY to keep you waiting! (However, I feel it incumbent to remind you: You guys consume—in, like, ONE DAY—what takes me months to write. So there’s that.)

Rest assured: Book 4 is plotted. It is in progress.

In all transparency, I’ve been working on another series at the same time. This is what’s taking me so long.

But, the MOD CODE SERIES *will* have its finale. I plan to pull everything I’ve got out of my writer toolbox. I hearby promise a climactic conclusion.

Happy October,

xxheidi

If you’re looking for a book series for your library or classroom, look no further.

Got this email from a teacher, and it made me smile: 

“I’m teaching at Cookson Hills Christian School now and I brought The Mod Code up to the school. One of my 8th graders just finished reading it and she LOVED it!! She said most books start out a bit boring while the plot builds, but yours had her hooked from the first moment. She read a lot of novels. She can’t wait for books 2 and 3 to come. Our librarian ordered them. We are wondering if you have the 4th book out?”

This is literally one of the best parts about being an author: When readers enjoy the books you write. If you’re a teacher or librarian, kick off the school year by adding The Mod Code series to your classroom or library!

Check out: HeidiTankersley.com/books

Happy September!

xxheidi