Last night a raging thunderstorm inundated Nashville. Around midnight, I received a flash-flood warning on my phone. The storms lasted several hours and affected a large area. I heard that the Garth Brooks concert at Nissan Stadium was cancelled because of the treacherous weather. To the bests of my knowledge, the concert was being rescheduled for tonight,

CI have never lived in an area that had more volatile weather than Middle Tennessee. In recent times, I have been terrified by tornadoes and home-bound by ice storms. Living in Florida is much calmer. Although one does have to deal with seasonal hurricanes, the modern weather services can predict them several days out. One has time to prepare, even to vacate. Frankly, compared to continual freak weather occurrences, that sounds pretty good. Certainly, being a novelist, I am a drama queen, but enough weather drama is enough already. I am ready to move on, at last. I will update my whereabouts soon.

In case you have been wondering where I have been and what I have been doing, I have been writing the fourth novel in the Heston Demming series. It will be published in the spring or summer of 2022 by my new publisher, Speaking Volumes. My backlist will be available even sooner.

Please check back for further developments and updates. TM 🙂 I have returned.

Weather-wise, winter was appalling. I am SO ready for spring. Between the ice-storm and the tornadoes, I have had enough of stress-inducing weather–not to mention, the floods that followed. As of now, I am all about the pastel-flowering trees, the sunny daffodils, and the tweets of baby birds in their nests. Welcome to my world, spring of 2021!

Take Back Your Power  by Tina Murray, copyright Tina Murray, Ph. 2014 (First performed at CSLN, Nashville)

I wrote this poem a few years ago. It has never meant more to me than it does right now. I want to share it with all creative, freedom-loving individuals. Believe in your own self-expression.

Take Back Your Power

You have the power

To change your destiny

Whether you choose to use it

Or not

Is also in your power

So choose to

Take back your power

From your scared self

Who has hidden it from you

Take it back

From your small self

Who has convinced you not to try

Take back your power

From the in-significant others

In your life

Who want you to fail

And have programmed you

To do so

Tell them no

Inform them and yourself

That you do have the power

And that you have decided

Finally

To exercise it

Never give up,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

Celebrity Road Trips.com

Aloha! What creative writer or artist does not dream of living and working amid beautiful surroundings? Creatives are nothing if not aesthetically aware. Imagine waking up every day on The Big Island of Hawaii, creating to your heart’s content, and then spending the rest of the day diving, swimming, and kayaking. Well, this dream is being lived out by friends, Linda Arlington, and her husband, author J. C. Arlington (JC Arlington – Author on Facebook).

Avid pet lovers, Linda and J. C. have shared their idyllic lifestyle with a number of fur babies. Most have been named for sci-fi characters, including Princess Leia,, a young German Shepherd, and Chewbacca, (aka Chewy), a transplanted Maine coon cat. Recently, Princess Leia has learned to kayak. Talk about living a dog’s life! This royal pup in paradise has it made.

Although my friends enjoy life, they are far from frivolous. A retired special-education teacher, my friend, Linda, has given of her time, generously, to animals, humans, and myriad good causes, such as Ironman and Special Olympics. One of Linda’s current activities is reading children’s stories aloud at the local independent bookseller, Kona Stories Bookstore http://www.konastories.com.

Linda’s readings, along with others, are available for video-viewing on the YouTube page of Kona Stories. If you are feeling the need for some tropical inspiration, l suggest you visit http.//www.youtube.com and search for “Kona Stories.” As for me, I hope to visit my friends, their lucky pets, and their awesome bookstore in person one of these happy days. Maybe the dog will teach me to kayak. Volcanoes, anyone?

Stoke that motivation,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

Celebrity Road Trips.com

Have you always wanted to own one of Taylor Swift’s guitars? How about Tim McGraw’s motorcycle? If so, now is your chance. You may bid on these items, as well as a variety of others, each with celebrity provenance.

Currently, the ACM Lifting Lives (copyright) COVID-19 Response Fund is sponsoring an online auction to benefit COVID-19 relief. Creative music and film artists have donated one or more of their own possessions to this worthy cause. You may view the entire assortment at https://onlineonly.christies.com.

Even if you don’t find anything on your own wish list, you may find something that would be a perfect holiday gift for a friend or loved one. Perhaps you know someone who would fancy Dolly Parton’s dulcimer. Others might be delighted with an instrument owned by Bradley Cooper or—

Although I would like to do so, I won’t drop any more names. (Vince Gill). You owe it to yourself and/or your favorite human to check out the auction website. The event is ongoing and runs through October 29, 2020.

Bring along your muse,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

If you are an avid reader or a creative writer, you might consider attending the fifth annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival, Nov. 5-8, 2020. Held in Beaufort, South Carolina, and presented by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, this year’s conference will offer author presentations and workshops online. In addition, attendees can hear readings and take virtual tours. To learn more about this event, please visit http://www.patconroyliteraryfestival.org .

Those of you who read my post on the Southern Writers Magazine blog, Suite T, a while back, know the role Pat Conroy’s words played in my journey as a writer. When I met him at book signing, he encouraged me to stay the course and never give up, no matter who tried to discourage me. His words have sustained me over the years. I am so pleased his memory is being honored and his legacy, shared by such an outstanding nonprofit organization.

Enjoy the creativity,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

O

Are you shopping for the holidays? Perhaps, instead, you are looking for creative ideas to inspire your own work. This year you don’t even have to leave home to do either or both. That is because the 2020 Tennessee Virtual Craft Fair opens today, October 9, 2020.

Here is the link to the virtual craft fair:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/2020virtualtennesseecraftfair-697/

Until this year, the annual fair was held at Centennial Park, near Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee. Because of COVID-19 the fair is now online.

Actually, I have volunteered at this fair in years gone by. I was a booth-sitter. Have you ever been a booth sitter? Even busy craftspeople have to take breaks! Not this year, though. Those folks are online, too.

When you visit the website, you will find an excellent variety of arts and crafts. The exhibits include pottery, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, beads, glass, bags, and more. Although you might miss taking a stroll outdoors in the cool autumn air while you visit each tent, you will still be able to view all the available work. You can even attend demonstrations of creative processes and learn handy techniques online.

I hope you will take advantage of this exciting, new opportunity to examine–and perhaps, purchase–the work of Tennessee’s talented craftspeople.

Keeping your holidays creative, I am

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

The blurb at the top of the book cover reads

“Does the world need another coming-of-age novel set in the South? Yes, it does. This charmer, redolent with authenticity, touches the reader and inspires us al to call out the malarkey in our lives. Just wonderful.. –Gish Jen, Author of The Resisters“

Congratulations to acclaimed author Myra McLarey. Her latest novel, BECOMING ROBBIE LEE, has been published by Stone Creek Press. It dropped September 15, 2020. Both the book and e-book are available from https://www.amazon.com. According to information I received, part of the proceeds from sales prior to October 31, 2020, will be donated. One dollar from the sale of each e-book or book will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative, https://www.eji.org. I wish the author every success.

In the early days of my writing career, Ms. McLarey mentored me briefly. She critiqued a sample of my fiction and offered me hope of future publication. I appreciated her encouragement. As readers of my site know, I believe positive feedback can be extremely motivating for creatives, especially when it comes from someone so accomplished.

Enjoy her earlier books, too. WATER FROM THE WELL is but one example.

Keep creating,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

Is this you, Creative Person? Are you talented, able, and determined but feeling bored, drained, or even blocked when it comes to your current project? I have a suggestion for you. You may stimulate your creative flow without ever leaving home. How? By mingling with your peeps.

Perhaps interacting with emerging artists and celebrities will ease your worries and open your mind to new vistas. Wouldn’t you like that? If so—

Why not join many other creatives this coming week, Sept. 21-Sept. 27, online at The Imaginarium 2020 Virtual Conference and Convention?

Https://www.entertheimaginarium.com

This exciting conference is being offered virtually this year due to COVID-19 precautions. Normally, it is held in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. My friend, author Sandy Lender, Is a Gold Sponsor of the annual event, so you know it has to be first-rate.

In fact, numerous prominent authors, filmmakers, artists, and the like will be presenting, attending, and giving out awards. Who knows what unexpected inspiration awaits you? Please visit the Imaginarium website for prices and a schedule of events.

Convinced? Great! I hope you and your imagination have a splendid time together at The Imaginarium 2020.

Day dreaming, as usual,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer

(Text copyright Tina Murray, Ph. D., 2020)

Today is the 19th anniversary of the terrible events of September 11, 2001. On that day, like many Americans, I watched the events unfold on television. I was at my parents’ condo in Naples, Florida. The television was turned on because my father, a World War II vet, kept it turned continually, even when no one was watching.

I happened to pass by the TV set and caught sight of the twin towers under attack. I callied to my parents. “Come look at this! Something is happening!” They rushed to my side. We watched, stunned. We pledged to never forget.

My parents have passed away since then. They never forgot. Nor have I, nor have the millions of other Americans who like me, can only imagine the way it felt firsthand. We have not forgotten the tragedy and the bravery of those who experienced the reality of that fateful day.

In remembrance,

Tina Murray, Ph. D.

Editor and writer