I’d like to welcome Terrance Niedziela, Jr. to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer is being disciplined in consistently writing, especially when I'm tired from teaching. Easiest thing about being a writer: world building; I thoroughly enjoy creating complex worlds, races, cultures, flora and fauna, etc. I am able to let my mind go wild.

Things you need for your writing sessions: The first thing, or more specifically the first person I need to create is the Holy Spirit. I pray and ask Him to write through me. Then I need music. Sometimes instrumental, usually worship. I think best when I'm moving, so I need space for pace or act out scenes.

Things that hamper your writing: The two biggest things that hamper my writing are a lack of discipline and allowing myself to be distracted by insignificant things like doom scrolling social media or binge-watching TV.

Words that describe you: Words that describe me are: redeemed, adopted son of God, passionate, imaginative, loyal, chivalrous, courageous, and adventurous.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Words that describe me, but I wish they didn't are self-condemning and perfectionist.

Something you’re really good at: Something that I am really good at is explaining things that I have an interest in. Something you’re really bad at: Something I am really bad at is being concise. I tend to be a bit long winded.

Things you’d walk a mile for: A mile isn't that far to walk, so I wouldn't have a problem walking for anything. I grew up in the Northwood of Wisconsin in the 80s and 90s, so I am no stranger to walking long distances over rough terrain.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: There are plenty of things that make me walk from a room. But I would not run screaming.

Things you always put in your books: Some things I always put in my books and stories are: encouraging messages of redemption, hope, and the goodness of God; the martial arts; complex worlds, cultures, and creatures; and noble, chivalrous characters embracing their destiny.

Things you never put in your books: Things I never put in my work are sex, cussing, and graphic violence.

Favorite books (or genre): My favorite genres are fantasy and science fiction. Books you wouldn’t buy: I will not buy anything with cussing, sex, graphic violence, or mocks God.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: The most creative thing I've done besides writing is dressing up in character to teach, do dramatic readings, or a drama. Some examples include: a knight, a scientist, an explorer, biblical characters, a demon, Father Christmas, and a bumbling pirate.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Up to this point, the projects that do not go according to plan are those I give my middle school students.

My favorite book as a child: I entered third grade with an eighth grade reading level. Therefore, my reading selections were thick novels. I have read thousands of books, and a large portion of those were read before I turned eighteen. To pick one favorite is a challenge. But one of my favorites was Mossflower by Brian Jacques

A book I’ve read more than once: A book I have read more than once is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. My favorite parts are the riddles and Bilbo fighting the giant spiders.

Your favorite movie as a child: A movie that started me having a passion for fantasy was shown by my third grade teacher Mrs. Theiler, and it is called Flight of Dragons. It was the first time I saw a story about a person from our world going to a fantasy world and the added bonus of knights and dragons gripped me and never let me go.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): I don't know the name. It was a western and it was the first time I had ever seen someone get their throat cut. I slept with covers over my neck for a long time after that.

About Terrance:

Terrance Niedziela, Jr. grew up in Wisconsin, USA. He started writing books in the 4th grade, and that passion continued into adulthood.

He received his BS in Ancient Middle East History with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an MA in English and Creative Fiction Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.

His fiction has earned a first-place Foundation Award at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, a Fiction Carolina Christian Writers Award, and a second-place Florida Tapestry Award.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, watching cartoons, reading, being in nature, and seeing his students’ light bulbs turn on. He currently lives in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Shauna, and their dogs. He teaches English to middle schoolers, writes speculative fiction as well as devotions for The Man Cave blog on Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes' website. In 2024 and 2025, his devotions were included in published devotions.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://terranceniedzielajr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terranceniedzielajr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrance.niedziela

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583762891395

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7391195-terrance-niedziela-jr