Trinity Dunn's Blog

In the intimate dance of storytelling, characters are not just figments of the imagination—they are the heartbeat of our narratives, entities with depth, desires, and destinies. My process of character creation has always been a deep dive into the complexities of personality, an exploration that transcends mere physical descriptions to touch the very essence of […]

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In an age where the media’s pervasive presence infiltrates every corner of our lives—from the endless scroll on our phones to conversations dominated by the latest headlines—it became increasingly challenging to find a respite from the relentless message that “we’re all doomed.” The media, omnipresent and omnipotent, seemed to cast a long shadow over every […]

The post Writing My Way Out: Escaping the Media’s Grip and Rediscovering Joy appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

Hey everyone! I know, I know, it’s been a minute since I posted, but that’s because I’ve been writing up a storm–thanks to these amazing live beta readers! I decided to give this new technique of live readers a try with my latest fantasy book, “A Song of Snow and Shadows,” and it’s totally changed […]

The post Crafting The Future of Storytelling: How I Fell in Love With Live Beta Readers appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

After finishing the final chapter of ‘The Adrift Series,’ a journey that has been as unpredictable as it has been fulfilling, I find myself both nostalgic and excited. This series, a labor of love, has been a significant part of my life, and I’m deeply grateful to all of you who’ve joined me in this adventure.

So… What’s Next?

Many of you have been asking, “Who’s getting a spin-off? Will there be more?” I’m thrilled to share some insights into the future of the ‘Adrift’ universe!

While my current focus is on the all-new ‘Snow and Shadows’ series, the Adrift world is far from forgotten. In fact, I wrote TAO with the intention of revisiting this beloved universe. There are so many stories yet to tell, so many characters whose lives are waiting to be explored further.

Spin-Offs on the HorizonJim Jackson: His journey isn’t over yet. I’m planning a series of stories for Jim, including a deep dive into his childhood and another that explores his life with Lilly post-return. These narratives will offer a richer understanding of Jim’s character and his pivotal role in the series.Charlotte & Chase Miller: Their story deserves its own spotlight. I want to paint a vivid picture of their time with the Shawnee and Ellinipsco, delving into the depths of their experiences and the impact they’ve had on the broader narrative.Bud & Bertie: A short story is in the works to tell the tale of their early life. This piece will give fans a glimpse into the backstory of these beloved characters.Juan Josef and Gloria: I’m contemplating a spin-off focused on their lives. While this isn’t set in stone yet, the idea is brewing.An ‘Until Then’ Ending

With the creation of TAO, I’ve left a door open, a portal through which I can return to this universe whenever inspiration strikes. This ending isn’t a goodbye; it’s an “until then.” The possibilities are endless, and any number of characters from ‘The Adrift Series’ might find their stories being told in future books.

Looking Forward

As I devote my energy to ‘Snow and Shadows’, know that the ‘Adrift’ universe is simmering in the background, waiting for the right moment to come alive once again. The love and support you’ve shown throughout this debut series’ creation have been overwhelming, and I promise that this isn’t the end.

Stay tuned for more updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes looks at what’s coming next. The journey continues, and I’m excited to have you along for the ride.

The post The Adrift World… What comes next? appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

Ah, the holidays… that special time of year when I’m attending more and more get-togethers and meeting new people. The minute they discover I’m an author, that good ole’ question about the series always rears its head, “What’s it about?”

A million-plus words in this five-book series, and Aunt Marleen isn’t really looking for a twenty-minute explanation.

It’s about a lot of things, I say, but if I had to sum it up in a quick answer, I would say, more so than anything else, it’s about human nature.

Sure, to an outsider reading the back cover, the series might initially appear as a love story about people whose plane crashed through time, but that’s just the setting. The true essence lies in the characters’ interactions with each other and with the reader.

Each character, be it Jim, Lilly, Cece, Alaina, Chris, Jack, or most importantly, the reader, is a study of human nature. The narrative explores our initial reactions, how perceptions evolve over time, and the impact of our mistakes, tragedies, and unfulfilled expectations.

In the first book, the focus was on first impressions. The cast, diverse in characteristics, was designed to challenge readers to look beyond stereotypes, particularly when I wrote a leading lady whose first impression in the airport of a “bitter wife” was one that I knew would be difficult for readers to move past. Some readers abandoned the story early, influenced by that “bitter wife” impression they couldn’t get past. Others found a deep connection with her struggles, while many gradually came to understand her through her life’s journey—her pain, her errors, and her relentless neurosis. This pattern of breaking stereotypes was replicated with each character on the island: the arrogant actor, the “hillbilly,” the snob, and the funny man – all undergoing transformations of their own throughout the story. I wanted to make you see friendships where you least expected to find them… and to view the next stereotypical stranger you encounter with that same sense of enlightenment… Could that stranger be your best friend in another life? Help you through some difficult time? Show you things about yourself you didn’t know were there?

In book two, I wanted to play with preconceptions and our inherent nature to refuse to see the other side of a story we think we already know. I knew a lot of my readers were going to be angry when more than fifty percent of that book was dedicated to the very man who’d broken my lead female’s heart. I wanted to see if I could diminish the outrage in my readers as they saw another side to their story unfold… while also throwing in a woman most women would hate within seconds of encountering. I wanted to see if these two characters, who I knew could not be loved easily, could find a reader’s understanding. I knew Maria would require several books, but Chris? Could I show you a man that was unraveling in just about every way and make you care about him? Could I show you everything he felt, everything he lost, everything that made him come apart and make you love him, or would he forever be the guy who cheated on Alaina? It was so much fun to watch some people let go of their preconceptions while others hated that story vehemently for his role in Alaina’s life.

The third book delved into moral relativism. What justifications do we make for our favorite characters? When one of our characters is lost, how quickly do our morals align with those we previously condemned? Do we so easily fit the profile of the villain when we are suffering a loss similar to his own? And do we even notice when we do it?  This book also explored expectations. And this is where I think I enjoyed the reader reactions the most… There were expectations for where this story might go—not just in book 3 but in every scene and story that followed, and I wanted to see reactions as it veered left again and again.

In the fourth book, the introduction of an empath, Cece, brought a new dimension of compassion and self-discovery. I was curious to see how her presence would affect readers’ relationships with the other characters. Would it lead to a deeper understanding or new criticisms? Would it change your perception of the misguided moral compass you adopted in book three? Would you fall aimlessly in love with one of the bad guys and root for her to give up her other life for a whirlwind (and kind-of irresponsible) romance, or would you see the logic in Alaina’s disapproval?

Finally, book five was about painting the entire spectrum of human nature. I set up expectations, like the return of Captain Cook or a ship fire, only to defy them. The aim was to challenge stubborn first impressions, humanize the wicked to explore forgiveness, kill a despised character to test your hatred, destabilize the strong, and strengthen the weak, while also introducing a young Charlotte Miller to make you question everything you thought was right and every character you thought you loved.

My goal with the series as a whole was not just to give you an adventurous escape from reality, but to also impart a handful of lessons:

Understanding transcends initial impressions, stereotypes, and expectations, allowing empathy and love for even the most complex characters.Life is a mix of tragedies and triumphs, quirks and idiosyncrasies, shaping a larger, more beautiful picture. We all have our oddities, be it neurosis or panic, anger or depression, vanity or self-loathing, and we all have things we wish we could go back and redo, but all of it shapes something bigger—every tragedy or mistake can find its equal in great, perfect moments if we take the time to notice them… to look forward to them.Our interactions are pivotal in the grand tapestry of time. Embracing relationships and conversations with those different from us enriches our lives and opens up a world of possibilities. By taking you from a relationship that’d run its course and two people who were just going through the motions into a world of time-traveling adventures, I wanted to show you that sitting still to avoid changing the future is moot. I wanted to show how important it is for us to get up and seek relationships and interactions that make life bigger and shape a future of endless possibilities. I wanted to show that those relationships don’t require thinking that aligns with yours—a devout Christian can love an atheist, a poor southern boy can love a rich upper-east-sider. We can have tough conversations and come out better on the other side of them for our ability to understand those who are different. It’s okay to laugh at bad jokes and swoon at cheesy lines. It’s okay to be neurotic or angry or slightly insane. All of it shapes time… and we have precious little of it to make the most of this life.

So, embrace change, challenge your perceptions, and savor the unexpected.

Fall in love with a stranger… flip your moral compass a handful of times… and say something cheesy to another!

Thank you for joining me on this extraordinary journey. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have, and should you ever decide to revisit the series, keep these nuances in mind. I’m excited about what lies ahead and can’t wait to share the next adventure with you.

The post So, you read the entire Adrift Series. But, what was it really about? appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

Today’s post wanders from the beaten path of my usual musings to a place brimming with appreciation and tenderness. It���s a space where I want to pause and honor my husband, the unsung hero behind the scenes of every story I write.

In the throes of a writing slump you’re all quite familiar with, I experienced firsthand the kind of support that authors often reserve for the pages of their books. The kind of support that my husband embodies every day.

We bought our home about 7 years ago and it’s a constant work in progress. Within it was a space initially designed to be a library. It was there I set up shop, but it was more a placeholder than a haven–a desk strewn among wooden bookshelves that never quite made sense. It wasn’t the author’s nook I yearned for, and I often left it behind, wandering from corner to corner in search of the right words.

Well, noticing my struggle for a space that felt like an extension of me���a place where my creativity could flourish���my hubby decided to do something about it.

The Before...

This amazing man saw my struggles to remain focused and dedicated himself entirely to creating a space I could disappear in, spending his days and nights covered in sawdust and paint until it was done. His unwavering determination to create a place for me to thrive in was nothing short of heroic.

The Work...

The result was a revelation. He transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, turning my ideas into a reality I couldn’t have ever dreamed of. It was me–everywhere. He even took the essence of my grandmother’s old, weathered fireplace that I held so dear and gave it new life, making it the finishing touch on my new writing sanctuary.

The Result...

Every detail of the new office speaks to the narrative of who I am and who we are together. This isn���t just an office; it���s a testament to the relationship I’ve been lucky enough to find myself a part of and the life we���re building.�� I’m often lost in the worlds I create, but it’s the world we’ve built together that truly tells the most compelling story.

So, thank you, Mr. Dunn. For the sawdust, the paint, and the tireless nights. For knowing me forward and backward, and loving me the way you do���even on the days I’m stuck in backward. For creating a space as imaginative and warm as the stories I’m attempting to pen. You are my craftsman in both woodwork and in heart and I love you more than words.

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Hey there, stargazers and page-turners!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted, mostly because I’ve turned into a bookish mole, burrowing into the mountain of words that is ‘The Stars That Call Us Home’. And let’s just say, trying to perfect this ending has been like trying to thread a needle while riding a rollercoaster.

A huge shout-out to you all for not forming a search party when I went MIA. I had this plan, see? I thought I had the series finale in the bag ��� 7 months should be plenty of time, said a past, more naive version of myself. Cue the universe laughing in the background.

So, I jumped the gun and put our final chapter up for preorder to silence those pesky ‘But where’s the end?’ voices. Well, stitching up time-travel plotlines without turning into a hardcore sci-fi saga is a bit more tricky than I thought it’d be.

I hit that first deadline, but the result? Not my best work. You would’ve thrown your Kindles at me, and rightfully so. That’s why I’ve been on a rewriting rampage.

And here’s the deal with the preorders ��� Amazon’s a jerk. I’m juggling their one-month-at-a-time system while trying to keep the peace (and the hype!). I can’t have a 5-series book without a 5th available to preorder, but I can’t push the preorder more than a month when I miss the deadline.

That said, let’s get to the nitty-gritty:

1: How’s the book coming along??

We’re in the homestretch! I’m dotting the i’s, crossing the t’s, and sprinkling in the last bit of magic dust. Beta readers are on standby. I’m aiming for the stars with our current release date, but no fortune-telling just yet. I will not promise November, but I will promise you’ll have it before the year is over.

2: Physical book?

Yes! Hardcovers to hug, paperbacks to pile, and Kindles to keep you up at night ��� they’re all on the launchpad. Audio will follow, as always. I’m holding off on the preorders for these until I’m 100% ready to hit ‘print’.

3: Has Trinity lost her mind??

Nope, still here and very much grounded, though the missed deadline did give me a few gray hairs and maybe a few moments of madness. I’m zoned in, locked on target, and will be bringing you this book and many more (without the preorder drama next time).

So keep your bookmarks handy. It’s coming, I promise!

The post Answers to All Your Questions About the Release of Book 5, The Stars that Call Us Home appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

There are days when I find myself staring blankly at the blinking cursor on my computer screen. It’s almost as if that tiny, ever-persistent line is mocking me, challenging my very identity as an author. Those are the days when the ghosts of depression and ADHD rear their heads, obscuring the landscape of my creativity and blanketing my once-clear visions with doubt and uncertainty.

As an author, I constantly dwell in the world of ideas, plots, and characters. But the companionship of ADHD means that while a storm of ideas may whirl inside my mind, capturing and organizing them becomes an almost insurmountable challenge. One moment, I’m engrossed in a storyline, and in the very next, a random thought can send me spiraling into hours of unproductive tangents.

While ADHD brings its own kind of chaos, depression is a more silent but equally insidious foe. On the outside, I may appear calm, even disinterested. But inside, there’s a storm. The once vibrant colors of my imaginative world turn monochrome. My characters, who usually chatter away, giving life to the stories I pen, suddenly fall silent. The weight of the blank page becomes unbearable, and the stories I’ve always used as an escape start feeling like shackles.

Depression doesn’t just steal my motivation; it shakes my very belief in my capabilities. Where once I saw a budding plot, now I only see clich��s. Each sentence I type feels like an arduous climb up a mountain I’m not sure is worth scaling.

And then there’s the guilt. Knowing I should be productive, feeling the weight of deadlines and expectations, but being trapped in a mental fog. The internal monologue becomes an endless loop of self-reprimand and regret: Why can’t you just focus? Why can’t you push through? Is this really who you are, a failure?

But with time, I’ve learned that acknowledging these struggles is the first step to tackling them. I am not my depression. I am not my ADHD. They are a part of my journey, yes, but they don’t define my destination.

There are strategies I’ve adopted: setting small goals, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, seeking support from fellow authors, and most importantly, being gentle with myself. I’ve realized that it’s okay to take a step back when needed, to recharge and regain perspective.

To anyone reading this and facing similar battles, know that you’re not alone. Every author, every artist, every individual has their own set of demons. But within each of us is also the strength to fight, to persist, and to create. Our stories, birthed from these struggles, have the power to resonate deeply and bring solace to others.

In the face of depression and ADHD, remember: the darkest chapters often lead to the most enlightening revelations.

The post Depression and ADHD: An Author’s Battle with Silent Saboteurs appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

Greetings to my cherished readers,

The journey through the Adrift Series has been nothing short of a dream, a collective experience that we’ve all embarked upon together. Each installment of this series has been crafted with immense dedication, not only from me but also from every pair of eyes that have dived into its pages. It’s a mutual love affair we share with the universe of Adrift.

As many of you are aware, the upcoming and eagerly anticipated fifth book, “The Stars that Call Us Home,” was scheduled to grace your bookshelves and e-readers on September 30th. As the day approached, I sat down, as always, for one final intimate read-through. The anticipation, the jitters, they were all there. Yet, this time, they came with an unsettling feeling. There were passages, characters, and moments that, I felt, needed more love, more depth.

It would’ve been simple to push the “publish” button, to meet the deadline and to send the story into the world. But as I turned each page, I realized this wouldn’t be fair to the series, to you, and to the unwritten pages of our characters’ destinies.

So, I’ve made the decision – a tough one – to delay the release. Why? Because “The Stars that Call Us Home” isn’t just another addition to the series. It’s a culmination, a promise of a fitting ending to the tales and adventures we’ve journeyed through together. And this promise deserves to be kept, even if it takes a bit longer.

I wholeheartedly apologize for this delay. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it’s a choice made out of respect and love for the world of Adrift and for all of you who’ve made this series what it is today.

Please bear with me a little longer. I assure you, when “The Stars that Call Us Home” finally finds its way to you, it will be an embodiment of all the dreams, wishes, and aspirations we’ve shared throughout this journey.

Thank you for your unwavering support and patience. Here’s to the stars that guide us and the stories that unite us.

With gratitude and anticipation,

The post A Heartfelt Update on “The Stars that Call Us Home” – Book 5 of the Adrift Series appeared first on Trinity Dunn.

In this latest installment (set to be released September 30th, 2023), our beloved characters find themselves scattered across the 18th century, each facing unique challenges that will test their resolve and convictions. One group embarks on a daring expedition through colonial America, driven by the quest to locate the elusive George Bennet. Another group grapples with profound moral questions concerning the manipulation of history, while another seeks answers around their peculiar arrival in such a time. Should they tamper with the past, and if they do, what unforeseen consequences might they unleash–if any at all?

Prepare to join Alaina on a high-stakes journey across the vast Atlantic, as she relentlessly seeks answers about the mysterious storm and the elusive “Vile Vortices”.�� Danger lurks in the shadows in the form of a menacing crew of slavers, adding an element of suspense and urgency to her predicament and only becoming heightened when a second ship appears on the horizon. Is it the other slave vessel? And if so, who is captaining it?

Chris finds himself torn between his unwavering loyalty to Maria and the realization that their actions could irrevocably alter the lives of countless individuals. The weight of responsibility on his shoulders becomes palpable, and his struggle to reconcile love and duty is both poignant and compelling.

Amidst the turmoil, love reignites as our favorite couples are reunited at last. Their bonds will be tested and strengthened by the trials they face together, leaving readers wondering how these connections will endure the relentless test of time and history.

Throughout The Stars that Call Us Home, you’ll find a thought-provoking question weaving through the pages: Who truly embodies the role of the villain, and who will emerge victorious in the end? Will anyone? As the lines between right and wrong blur, our characters confront their own inner demons while grappling with the repercussions of their choices.

The narrative effortlessly blends excitement and introspection, transporting readers through different epochs and immersing them in the struggles and triumphs of these fascinating characters. Prepare to be enthralled by an extraordinary adventure that explores the complexities of human nature and the enduring impact of pivotal decisions made throughout history in this exciting conclusion to the story.

 

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