I'm so thrilled you stopped by my home on the web. If you're a lover of books, any sort of creative (especially a writer!), a born again Christian, obsessed with good fiction, or even simply love to read books and blog posts, let me OFFICIALLY welcome you! As I pursue this novelists journey, I'm honored to have this space to connect with each and everyone who needs a slice of ease, words, and encouragement.

Hop over to the blog for pourings of words on most all topics, such as: history, book reviews, writing updates, and my learnings as life happens. Check out the 'About' section to learn a little bit more about me, or view my current published works under 'Works'. (Devotionals, a previous column, and some short fiction! Hopefully full length to come soon . . .

And after looking around, connect on any of my socials. I'd love to connect over history, your favorite books, any hate of tea, writing, reading, and the blessings of life in general!

~Payton Tilley

Payton Tilley

Sep 27
3 min

The Season of Writers

As nature begins to seep down into slumber, somehow I believe creatives, wonderers, and dreamers began to burst in bloom as the season...

Basking After Rain - Share Little Things

Payton Tilley

Jul 25
3 min

Basking After Rain - Share Little Things

When did You experience God's hand last? And then shared it? That's where it used to be tricky for me . . . To me, it's amazing we serve...

Payton Tilley

Jun 15
4 min

Grasping for His Will

As Christian women and men, sometimes we seem to be floundering and going through the motions. One of my biggest struggles is overcoming...

2 3 4 5

Learn more about Payton Tilley . . .

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As the trees . . . frail and strong. An autumnal poem from recent mussings on the keyboard.

Has fall feelings started for you yet?

#poems #fallpoems #fallpoems🍂🍁 #Godscreation #writersofinstagram #lettingthingsgo #poemsfromnature #autumnalvibes #fallaesthetic #leavesfalling #fallpoemseason #amaeturepoem

BOOK REVIEW ~ The World of the End by David Jeremiah💥👀

Every now and then I adore a book on Biblical prophecy. This book has sat on my shelf for some tiiiiime, and it's only fair that it gets a review since it's been dust collecting for a year. (Oops, anyone else feel that?)

'The World of the End' pulls parts from all over the Bible that speak of the End. From parables of Jesus, to Revelation, to Daniel, to anywhere, we are shown the weave of warning and hope. Most importantly, we are shown how the world will begin to look and people act.

This book was loaded with charts and diagrams following world events, stats, and polls that help shift our perspective to see how the world has been for a while. (Not a shock, but SEEING it, hit different) It made me sit back and think, to really ponder, how so many things others ignore DO point to words spoken ago.

But I think the best and most unique aspect of this book was that Dr. David Jeremiah did not focus on the prophecy but on how we are told to react as things unfold. Eight out of the nine chapters highlighted a characteristic that was part of Jesus' commands/prophecy :

1. be honest
2. be calm
3. be confident
4. be prepared
5. be faithful
6. be kind
7. be the good news
8. be determined

This book is centered around Jesus' words about the end - not Revelation, which was a new way of reading about it. He also pulled from many other verses and books that offer further insight into how our hearts should be and what will transpire. Now, a few bits of the theology I can't say I agree with fully, but outside that small bit, I highly recommend this book.

If parts of the end times interest you, or you want encouragement to stand in this changing world, 'The World of the End' could be your next read.

4/5 stars

Quote from Corrie Ten Boom . . . A gentle reminder that our lives are to be guided by prayer to the point it's a part of us. 🤍

Natural, raw, real.

#quotestoliveby #quotestagram #quotes #corrietenboom #corrietenboomquotes #corrietenboomquote #prayerispowerful #prayerlife #quotesaboutlife

Falling in love with a local bookstore (@thebookhousews) and catching up with some great friends has been the sum of the last week and a half. 📚🤍

Loved chatting and being with @stephaniecedits to talk about life and writing. Every time is such a joy and encouragement. Praying for you and all your journeys!

And I also got to see @therealrachhh for the first time in foreverrrr over coffee. So proud of your accomplishments and how you put God first. Loved how we lost track of time, lol.

Bookstores×coffee×friends×early fall feels

#bookstagram
#bookstores
#localbookstore
#booksandcoffee #writingandreading #readingaesthetic #budsandbooks #encouragment #fall #friendswhogetyou

'Lady of Eve' by Tamara Leigh . . .🏰🤯🌹

Tamara has become a new favorite author when it comes to medieval historical and the romance genre. I love how consistently every time there is one character whose arc blows me away. Her usage of imagery and medieval slang knocks this medieval lover OVER, too!

This book followed Lady Graeye and Baron Gilbert Balmaine as their lives intersect when Gilbert overtakes the land belonging to Graeye's father, igniting the flames of resentment and familial revenge for actions committed years ago. This book dealt with some heavy themes, as well as delving into consequences for actions and the depths humans will go to escape or find chances. Yet the redemptive arc was stunning for the characters.

Things can't be undone, but our actions afterward can change us and others. Highlights of family bonds, revenge, skin blemish curses, savage father's, nunneries, running from love, and forced proximity make themselves stars in this story.

'Lady of Eve' was a solid 4/5 star read.

#christianfiction #medievalfiction #medievalfictionbooks #medievalreads #medievalromance #tamaraleigh #ladyofeve #romamcereads #historicalfiction #bookreviews #summerreading #bookstagram

We all have stories. We all have ups and downs. How often do we open up and share the little and big things with someone else?

This blog post is a challenge to us, to open up after the good or bad, and share our stories to encourage, to grow. To be genuine. It's hard for me every time, but I felt pressed to share the one I did.

Let's all challenge ourselves and each other to bask, to learn, but also to share and encourage.

To gather around fires, tables, and meals to share what God has done; what we have learned, and how we have grown this season.

See the blog in my stories or on my website...

#blogpost
#writersofinstagram
#writingmotivation
#lifesjourney #shareyourstory #encouragement #learningfromothers #blogger #readtogrow

"To be or not to be"
Is usually the ask
What of
To do or not to do
To say or not to say
To love or not to love
To forgive or not forgive
To live or not to live
To stand or not to stand
It's not in who we are
But all in what we do
Effects have causes
Journeys have destinations
Just as actions reflect the man
To do or not to do
Say what your actions of you?

~

Yeahh . . . More poetry but I'm loving how it's pouring out. I miss my manuscript but I'm enjoying the freedom of these little words. Anyone else?

Reading update and the reason I had to share a gorgeous photo of Alnwick Castle: reading a lovely medieval romance by Tamara Leigh. But also a book proposing my favorite term and arguments for the medieval period: The Bright Ages. 🏰

But question from my poem: when you think of your actions and how they truly define us, do any of you have a quote that affirms that reminder? That our actions do speak louder than words. 💭

#medieval
#poetrylovers
#poetry
#lifepoetry
#poetryisbreathing
#amateurpoetry #medievalfiction #currentreads #alnwickcastle #writing #writingpoetry #writersofinstagram #thebrightages #actionsarelouderthanwords #medievalpic #medievalaesthetic #currentwriting

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Summer walks are a reprieve from the clanging around us, and one of my favorite summer activities.🌼

What are some of your favorite summer things that help calm you or clear your head for writing?? (Cue Sound of Music 'Favorite Things' playing in my head)

Also . . . Another poem snuck into a post above on pic 2. 🙈 Those summer walks are giving lots of fodder.

#nature #summerwalks #naturepictures #poetrylovers #poetry #lifespoetry #writerswrite #writersofinstagram #aspiringauthor #newbiepoetry #medievalmural #calminnature #godsguidance #eternityspeak #favoritesummeractivity

Author of Life . . . We know our life is in good hands.

This has always been one of my favorite names of God because it puts so much into perspective; so much we , as writers, can relate to.

We can get through every chapter knowing Who has penned the words.

#writersofinstagram #godistheauthor #godwritesourstory #lifesjourney #rainyday #rainyaesthetic #rainyday #rainydayquotes #quotes #quotestagram #christianfiction #aspiringauthor #encouragement #writerinspiration #quotestoliveby #quotestocomfort

Happy Sunday and Father's Day! New blog is out that was burning a hole inside me yesterday evening🫠.

I've constantly battled what to do when God's answer in something seems silent, especially when seeking His will. I'm sure we all have. I had an experience recently that grew my faith and a verse that helped me remove the pressure.

Here's a snippet:

Recently, a question that often floats around the Christian community has flung itself at me with tremendous force: How do we know what God's will is in a situation? And one closely connected: How do we make the right choice?

. . .

Reading further into the Bible, we see people asking "why" and seeking God's plan for their lives sometimes in confusion, sometimes in frustration and sometimes in taking what comes with peace. Think of Job, Ruth, Esther, and David. All of these heros of the faith accepted God's leading, trusted Him and sought Him when making decisions.

. . .

Do yall have a verse that helps you when seeking God?

#godsguidance
#blogpost #writersofinstagram #lifesajourney #seekinggod #blogger #christianliving #personalgrowth #godhears #godswill #godsplan #wewritetoexpress #writing #trustgod #waitongod #godhears #christianblog #aspiringauthor

Recent reads highlight! 📚 I can't believe it's June already! Month 6! Anyway, I've been slacking on my book reviews sooo, I'm gonna just batch some great ones together, and give my rating for each.

Romanov - 3.5
By Nadine Brandes (YA/ Historical Fantasy)

Once Upon A Time It Was Now - 4
By James Thom (Nonfiction on writing historicals)

The Art of the Tale - 4.5
By Steven James/ Tom Morrisey (Nonfiction on storytelling and public speaking)

The Rose and the Thistle - 5
By Laura Frantz (Historical Fiction/Romance)

Overcoming Every Problem - 4
By Joyce Meyer (Nonfiction/Womens/Christian Living)

Bookshop by the Sea - 5
By Denise Hunter (Contemporary Fiction)

Garden of the Midnight - 5
By Hannah Linder (Historical Fiction/Regency/Romance)

On Writing - 5
By C.S.Lewis (Nonfiction collection of sayings)

Lady at Arms -4.5
By Tamara Leigh (Historical Fiction/Romance/Medieval)

Bygone - 5
By Hannah Linder (Poetry)

Veil of Winter - 5
By Melanie Dickerson (Historical Fiction/Romance/Medieval)

What are some books you've enjoyed thus far in the year??

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #summerreading #christianfiction #medievalfictionbooks #christianliving #writingcraftbooks #currentreads #poetrybooks #bookstoread #readthissummer #regencybooks #historicalfiction #womensfiction #readingwrapup #junereads #whatimreading #readnext

The past trip to the beach gave me this lil poem I want to share . . .

Salt air sticks to me like your eyes
My lungs inhale the breeze saturated,
with dampness on seagull's cries
Wishing to pause time
To capture the tumble of foam mountains
as your fingers snatch mine
Barefoot prints and half smashed castles litter the tension
as you, Childhood Revelries, woo me along
Mesmerizing me through the whispers
of the shoreline
Where sails on boats remain suspended in time
Where we frolicked and were mermaids those days
of our lives.

Forgive my random growing need to write and share these little things that burst out at times. 🙈🌊 Poetry has slowly became I love I'm learning to enjoy, read and write.

Does the beach inspire memories or revelries for you?

#writerofinstagram
#beachtime #beachsunset #poetry #poetrylovers #lifesajourney #ameaturepoetry #whimsical #childhood #oakislandnc #writetoinspire #writetoimagine

This post has been waltzing around in my mind for a bit now. So many chapters of our lives seem unsure, or grand during answered prayers, or unsteady during hard times.

If you have been here a while, you know I love to read and write - and draw from the truth that God is the Author of Life. It amazes me and gives such joy.

But I think the one truth that God is our Storyteller and He directs our "character arcs" is one of my favorite truths through ALL seasons and ALL our days.

Check out my post on my website today on paytontilley.com!

#writersofinstagram #blogpost #trustgod #godwritesourstory #encouragement #christianfiction #blogger #newpost #peaceful #peaceinchrist #duringallseasons

A writing hill vs writers block . . . Perspective shift.

#writersofinstagram #writing #writingmotivation #writingquote #writingaestethic #write

Does anyone else sympathize with the giddy feeling of the way something can comfort you? Something that seems so tailored to you that you get excited anytime you revisit it?

I'm sure we all have that book (or many), that favorite movie or song, verse, person, time of day or even place. I had that lovely overwhelming joy picking up an old favorite read.

And it simply reminded me of the power of books, of the beauty that someone else's words can so deeply engrain themselves into the hearts of others. To carry us away.

Here's to the things that give us the giddiness and childlike excitement all wrapped in comfort.

#reading #comfortinbooks #bookstagram #whatareyoureading #joysinlife #cleanread #readtowrite #favoritethings

The Girl From The Hidden Forest . . . was such a captivating regency read. Felton and Eliza were memorable and rich characters, while the plot flew between a race to stay alive and their subtle attraction.

Eliza was such an innocent childlike character with dreams and a life of peace, till they were ripped from her by a desperation to clear a family name. Throughout her time being introduced to her lost father, she fought the raw hurt, fear of losing another to her pursuer and the daydreams haunting her from the forest. Minnie was also a delightful character that added such heart and rawness. And the love and steadfastness of Eliza's father was a flawed glorious look at human love.

Felton mesmerized each page, for I wasn't even sure how I felt about his rash actions at first. But I adored how Linder had Eliza and Felton soon face the same issues of abandonment, disappointment and confusion in who they were and became each other's protectant. Felton deeply embodied the grit in all of us to keep going and a humans vice/virtue to prove themselves.

This book was full of everything one could want from a regency novel: growing attraction, a lost heir, an ignorant girl shoved into society, a desperate man, an unidentified murderer and the subtle dance of the power of hope as we race to find the light in the forest of life. To prove ourselves, our values and to realize daydreams and reality can meld after darkness passes.

Thank you so much, Hannah, for letting me read this in advance and show it to the world. I hope it gets into the hands of those who will treasure it like I now do.

#@hannahlinderbooks #thegirlfromthehiddenforest # bookstagram #reading #bookreview #christianfiction

...to be inside 'The Girl From The Hidden Forest'.

Hannah Linder's newest Regency romantic suspense is full of intrigue, shredded innocence, swaths of misdirection, strained romance, lost identity and the struggle of finding the bravery tucked under masks.

#regencyfiction #hannahlinderbooks #thegirlfromthehiddenforest #bookstagram #bookaesthetic

Quote curtesy of 'The Girl From The Hidden Forest' by Hannah Linder.

This book keeps blowing me away with the suspense and consuming Regency flare. Eliza's soft edges, resilience and childlike innocence in the face of the danger surrounding her has made her an unforgettable character. Pre-order the book today to unveil her grit, the unsettling chase and mystery, romance, and abounding complexity of the girl taken from the forest.

#hannahlinder #thegirlfromthehiddenforest #bookstagram #regencyfiction #launchteam #bookquotes

I'm eager and excited to announce that I am part of the launch team for Hannah Linder's newest book releasing this year: The Girl From The Hidden Forest!

Hannah is one of my 'don't miss' authors; so I am even more thrilled! I have shared the synopsis below. 🌳 💛

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.

Enjoy another Gothic Style Regency from Hannah Linder.

Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.

That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.

When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?

As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

#hannahlinderbooks
#hannahlinder #christianfiction #barbourpublishing #launchteam #bookstagram #writersofinstagram #bookrelease #regencyfiction #regencyromancebooks

Have you ever had to fight to pursue something? 🤔
Writing has recently been evading me. Not for any one reason, but I have decided to push toward it no matter my time, inspiration, mood or plans.

We all know things we are supposed to do. Things we love . . . but maybe we feel that we keep letting parts of us down because we have not felt "accomplished" in that area. Or the goal we set was not met. For me, I'm in an odd moment of figuring out the best writing schedule and how to balance it best with life.

I'm sure we all, writer or not, have hit spots we had to fight through. Well, I'm here to say JUST DO IT. Find a way and even ask God to help you. Today, I wrote about 3,000 words and then edited all of them, trying to trim because of word count. (Lol) After this week, that's a win.

Keep pressing. Make it happen no matter what because in the end, the victory is only given because we choose to fight. And as writers, that's a needed reminder.

What will you decide to press for? You can make it happen.

#writersofinstagram
#wewritetoexpress #Godisworking #lifesjourney #fightforit #makeithappen #writing #writingaestethic #writerswrite

Only when something is true does it become cliche. And remembering your dreams and pursuing them can seem cliche. Yet, we all have talents and passions put in our hearts; things we love and chase after.

That we feel born to do, must do.

Yet, life can seem to get in the way. Or we get discouraged and stop.

In this post over on my blog, I want to encourage each of us to remember the things we once held close to our hearts, to chase the dreams. For part of Nehemiah 2:12 says this, ". . .what my God PUT in my heart TO DO at Jerusalem. . ."

It's a reminder for me, for you and all of us to let God stir back up dreams and let us chase them to bring Him glory. You can read it here🤍
https://www.paytontilley.com/post/what-is-put-in-your-heart

#writersofinstagram #livewithpurpose #godisinthejourney #chasedreams #encouragment #writer #blog

Merry Christmas! 💚❤️

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their family and that we all cling to the King who arrived all those years ago. Jesus Christ! I hope laughter fills your homes, joy fills long car rides and laughs sit around the tables. Merry Merry Christmas!

#cslewis #merrychristmas #merry #merrychristmas🎄 #quotestoliveby #quotes #writersofinstagram #blog #holidayseason #holiday #cslewisquotes

In honor of a reminder I received recently, I kinda want to leave this thought at your table. How often do we slow down? Survey the area and place we are at compared to yesterday? And then turn & have a heart of "Wow, God You really have been with me and blessed me? "

For me, the stress of the " need to do's" and daily things take the stage of thought, plus worries or anxiety's over situations that were never meant to be in my hands. Thankfully, I have people to remind me and a God who cares enough to give me moments of peace.

Now these pics showcase the season🍂 but being in nature reminds me of how change happens and how God moves things and sends things. Look around and survey your life and how far He has carried you.

Sorda push the rush and daily worries out and be still with Him. Cheesy? Maybe, but there is a reason this time of year we reflect and gratitude is encouraged. That's what I'm learning . . .

#godsgotit #fall #fallcolors #beinggrateful #blessed #dailyreminder #slowlife #godsblessings #outdoors #naturepics

Whitney Hanson presents a larks call to our hearts. 🌻 Her poems breathe nature and beckon us on a journey to continue through pain. To face the hurts of loss, desire, heartbreak and life to find that there is beauty in the little things.

Her poems grasp at true thoughts and wrestle our own feelings. This collection was a joy to sit through and read because of her voice, experience and imagery. Below, I want to share some of the poems . . .

Stare at the colors in the sky
Count the stars until you fall asleep
Notice how warm your bed is on rainy days
So that when you lose your way you can
Hold on to these moments of magic

~

It's ok
Make me hurt
The finest art
Is painted
With the blood
Of a broken heart

~

I think the rain
Is the most consistent thing
I've ever fallen in love with
The rain is the same
Everywhere I have been
And everywhere I will be

~
#bookstgram #whitneyhanson
#poetryforthesoul #writersofinstagram #modernpoetry #hope #lifesjourney #godisworking #nature #naturepoems #whitneyhansonpoetry

This post is after a long spot of "drought" on my blog, but it's a one I felt typically excited and vulnerable to write!

If you've ever felt your dreams or hopes attacked, you peace taken, confidence gone, and contentment an impossibility . . . You're not alone! 🥲🤍 Looking into Joseph's struggle has touched me recently, and so I hope this pulls you to get your fight back and help you to once more feel the purpose.

We all struggle. We all break down.

But we get to look up to God and be encouraged by stories of hope so we can keep going. Keep believing in the "story" God has.

Link to read here on my website.... https://www.paytontilley.com/post/between-peace-confidence-surrender

Website: paytontilley.com

I've learned that being afraid and yet trying - having the courage - makes you stretch and grow. It pulls you and aids you in learning to not give up.

If you fail, so what, get back up.
If you succeed, get it!
If you don't give anything a chance, if you don't attempt anything . . . Well, you never know. You took your own chance and your own opportunity to grow.

I'm inclined to agree with Van Gogh, we must have courage to attempt something. To trust God enough to step into something. A new hobby, new school, new job . . . Simply have the courage to try. 🤍

What's something that you could attempt to push into? To have courage . . . You can do it.

Bathing suits, sunsets, beating waves and family make summer seem like a dream one never wants to awake from. 🤍🏝️

My amazing grandparents gathered all us grandkids for a trip like old times to Oak Island. Nan and Ken (his endearing longstanding nickname🙃) make every trip so fun and love us all so deeply. Love you guys and all the memories we make! (Curious as to some? How about trying alligator, water balloon pool wars and visiting cute towns with 9 people?? 🤍)

And to my cousins I got to spend all week with . . .I love y'all so much and how we feel like siblings. You guys made me laugh on the drives and at the beach. Thanks for being my navigator and DJ, Gracie. And Sammy, we were not gonna let those waves crush you! Ben and Mer, loved playing in the pool. Z, here's to your nickname😂. And Ava, love you sis.

In the retreat from reality, I felt peace and joy with my family. So thankful God gave me you guys and that He pulled us to the ocean to see Him and experience each other.

Oak Island you were fantastic.

'Estuary' brought me to medieval Italy with a bang! Lisa Bergen whisked me back to the nostalgic world of Lia and Gabi once more. 🏰💚

If you love time travel, sibling spotlight, forbidden love, slow burn, political angst, or all things medieval - *cough* - this book is for you.

Medieval Italy was ripe with new characters in this spin off series. Each one from Tiliani to Luciana had great arcs and problems to overcome. (Tiliani may have been my fav) And I adored seeing glimpses of past characters that had their own spotlight, to remind us of the beauty of time and change around us. (None understood that more than the two siblings that traveled from our time to then.) The fact that this book highlighted the medieval world without so many cliches truly made it all the more riveting.

It was an edge of the seat ride, with hints of more political intrigue to follow . . . Oceans of Time holds much anticipation!

#bookstagram #bookreview #estuary #enclavepublishing #summerreading #medieval #medievalitaly #lisabergren #timetravelbooks #medievalfiction

The treeline decided to hide a dusty, saturated sunset.☁️ It kinda prompted me to try my hand at poetry. (I dabbled in it when younger and recently have been jotting some here and there. Apologies in advance for the roughness😉)

So, thanks to those clouds and setting sun . . . Here goes . . .

"Enemies rip me at the seams
pulling thread by thread, unraveling me
they ruin my chances and store up regret
sapping sanity till none is left

Back stabbing
bad mouthing
leaving me for dead
underneath a haze
a fog of dread

Yet
it's not flesh or bone
not glazed over eyes of cobalt or green

But fear and anxiety
memories in disguise
like saturated clouds thick and suffocating

Take it, remove it, use it
roll it back like a tear stained scroll to find
those purple, blue, gold infringed skylines

Use every thread in my worry
every wound and choice inside
to produce scars that reflect
You see my edges and paint my skies

I detest the thunder inside my head
but rain shall pass
these clouds run dry."
~ INSIDE A HAZE by Payton Tilley

#writersofinstagram #poetry
#cloudscape #sunset #mindcloud
#overcomeanxiety #godusesitall #writer #poet #encouragment #wewritetoexpress #clouds #novicepoet #landscapephotography

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