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Beyond the Pages: An Inside Look at the Mind and Motivation of T.N. Trainer

  • Writer: BirdieMama
    BirdieMama
  • Jul 1
  • 5 min read

Author T.N. Trainer is celebrating her newest release Spirit Whispers, a paranormal suspense novel and Book 2 of the Cami Mitchell Series which releases July 1, 2025.


Text: July 2025 author spotlight, T.N. Trainer. Photo of female author

Who is T.N. Trainer?


T.N. Trainer, a natural storyteller and genuine wordsmith, has always had a passion for writing and sharing her stories. From a young age, she discovered that she could weave intricate tapestries from her imagination, and from this realization a lifelong love for storytelling was ignited. Her writing journey is marked by an innate curiosity which drives her to explore the richest depths of her creativity. This curiosity is not limited to a single genre as she professionally embraces the challenge of testing her writing chops across a diverse array of literary styles. Whether it be suspense, mystery, or a variety of other genres, T.N. Trainer approaches each new genre with a fearless heart, ready to experiment and innovate. This quality of fearlessness often leads her to remarkable outcomes, allowing her to craft stories that her readers find compelling, captivating, and enjoyable.


Beyond her literary pursuits, T.N. Trainer also possesses an adventurous spirit that often beckons her to explore all the fun experiences that life has to offer with her children and sweet dog. Her adventurous nature is not fleeting but a fundamental aspect of her identity that fuels her creativity, and also enriches her life by providing an opportunity to create lasting memories with her children and instilling a love of exploration and creativity in them as well. When not immersed in her writing, you can often find her indulging in other passions. Among these passions she has a profound love for reading, baking, appreciating nature in National Parks and any given sandy beach. There's no doubt that these moments of connection with nature and her loved ones not only offer her a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but also rejuvenate her spirit and serve as a source of inspiration for her storytelling.



The Interview


Chapter Chirp: Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you decided to become an author?


T.N. Trainer: I am a mom of three kids and a border collie who grew up traveling the world

because of my dad’s job. My father was in the Foreign Service, and so we moved from country to country every two to four years. It was an amazing way to grow up for many reasons, not the least of which was because I was able to experience many different cultures in the countries we lived in or traveled to, and also meet wonderful people from all over the world. Those experiences shaped who I became, and I think also have had some influence in my writing. Becoming an author wasn’t really a decision, it was something I always naturally gravitated toward. I began writing short stories and poetry as a child, and after I had kids, I began writing novels. I started with a science fiction novel, and then began to explore other genres.


Chapter Chirp: How long did it take you to write your most recent title and what was your inspiration for this book?


T.N. Trainer: It took about six months to write Spirit Beacon, including the first draft, and

revisions after beta reads and editing. There was no real inspiration for this book; the idea came to me one day, and then I began developing it, and letting the story form, and the characters grow. Ideas for stories or characters come to me randomly, and when something really clicks, I start taking notes furiously, getting down all my thoughts, and then I let characters be born in my mind and percolate until they are whole. The birth of characters is one my favorite parts of developing a new story idea. I’m always excited to meet them and find out who they are.


Chapter Chirp: What is your favorite part of this book (i.e: character(s), theme, title, cover art, etc.) and why?


T.N. Trainer: One of my favorite parts of this book is the character, Bandit. He is the spirit of a border collie, and Cami’s beloved and trusted companion. He has his own arc

and subplot over the course of the series, and I also plan to write a back story for him because I like him so much. He is such a blast to write, and so far he is a reader favorite.


Chapter Chirp: What was the most surprising thing that you learned while writing your most recent book and did you face any challenges while writing this title?


T.N. Trainer: One of the most surprising things I learned while writing Spirit Beacon is how

much I love writing suspense/thriller stories. It was not a genre I ever saw myself getting into. When the character of Cami first came to me, I saw the series as paranormal/urban fantasy, but when the story, and her overall arc began to develop, it took a different turn, and the book became a nail-biting thriller instead. The next book, Spirit Whispers, is even more heart-pounding. I guess it goes to show that you never know what you might be good at until you try it, even if it is something unexpected.


Chapter Chirp: What kind of readers will most enjoy your work and what do you hope readers will discuss about your book?


T.N. Trainer: I think almost anyone would enjoy this book, although thriller and mystery fans

will definitely enjoy it. I tried to write it in a way that would appeal to a wide audience, and to a wide age range. I wanted a sixteen year old to enjoy it as much as an eighty-six year old. My goal was to create relatable characters readers would fall in love with and root for, and I hope I have done that. I hope readers will discuss which characters they like best, which parts of the story resonated with them most, and whether or not they are looking forward to the next book in the series.


Chapter Chirp: What's next for you, can you share a sneak peek or drop some teasers about your next book?


T.N. Trainer: I am continuing the series with the next book, Spirit Whispers, which should be out by the beginning of July. The next book after that is Spirit Quest, which I am currently writing. I hope to have that out before Christmas. I am also working on an urban fantasy/ shifter series, and have finished the first book, but I haven’t settled on a release timeline for that yet. It still needs to go through beta reads, editing and revisions before it will be ready for release. So far I have five planned books in that series, and roughly six planned books in the Cami Mitchell series, although I think the Cami Mitchell series will eventually have more than six books.



Final Thoughts


   Throughout her literary career, T.N. Trainer has time and again demonstrated her writing versatility that very few authors can match. Whether it be urban fantasy, science fiction, short stories, or even romance, Trainer approaches each and every genre with a unique voice and creative awareness that makes her works stand out from the crowd. The ability to create and connect with reader imaginations and emotions is a testament to Trainer's skill in world building, character development, and overall storytelling abilities. Each of her books showcases her dedication to the craft of writing and a reflection of the her passion for storytelling. I would like to thank T.N. Trainer for taking time out of her schedule to sit down and provide considerate answers to my various questions for this interview. I urge my fellow readers to explore the diverse range that she has to offer as I believe that each new reading experience will be uniquely rewarding. Please join me in showing love and support by checking out her author website, purchasing her books, and giving her a follow on her socials.




T.N. Trainer's book can be found for purchase on the following platforms:

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