My Blog

David Knight Photography at Blue Ridge Parkway

To snap such a gorgeous photo with the light falling in such an amazing way is truly a gift. In a single moment the beauty of this place was brought to life for others to enjoy by this photographer. I wonder how many people have passed by this place never seeing its beauty on a daily basis. His eyes through his camera lens captured it perfectly.

To people who see through the eyes of love life is beautiful. Every sunset is a masterpiece, every child’s laugh is music to the ears, and every person has some good to be found in them even if it must be searched for. Love changes the color of the lens that we look through.

To a noisy and angry world meeting a person who speaks with a kind and soft voice can make life seem more peaceful. A soft answer can turn away anger. Kindness can make a person’s day and change how they feel about themselves. The person who speaks this way lives in peace.

To a hurting world a person who lends a helping hand can make the difference between life and death. The person who receives is blessed and the one who gives has a life that is full.

To those who care with compassionate hearts, life is good. With all of its ups and downs life has promise and a compassionate person can find hope in it all.

To have really lived before we die like the artist we must create it. To give and to receive is how we will enjoy what we have created; to search and to find the joy of the moment that if not careful to observe we might pass by it’s beauty daily.

To me this is a life and not just living; to make the world a better place for having been here.

“There are moments when I feel I awakened again to life happening beyond me. A whole world exists, with people who have none of what I have. I can pretend they’re not there or that I’m not in some way connected to them but that doesn’t change the facts. My only recourse is to treat others the way that I would wish to be treated. Reminding myself that life can change in a moment for anyone for good or bad.”

“I get the feeling this world which is so full of magic, waits patiently (or not so patient) for our senses to grow sharper. The hidden waits for us to become curious enough to search, and to listen. It waits for us to desire, to awaken, and to live before we die. We often just survive. We rush to work, we rush through our day, we come home only to arise, and do it all again. But what if… an extremely powerful thought…what if. A question that writers, filmmakers, and artists try to get us to think about. The amazing possibility of more.”

“I love to watch the autumn leaves dance on a windy day or a child jumping in a pile to scatter them away. I enjoy new paths, in unusual places that set my imagination free. For all the while I travel there, I am finding me.”

“There are some puddles in every path it would seem. The difference is, as a kid I went out of my way to find them and now I go out of my way to avoid them. What’s up with that? I guess it’s all in how we view the puddle.”

“Good things and bad things all jumbled together, that’s life. Learning to find the good in a an otherwise bad day, that’s progress.”

“Every once in a while in the middle of an ordinary life, love hands you a fairy tale. It may be only for a moment, but you live in it.”

“The longer I live the more I believe love really is the answer.”

And just for fun and because I can.

Creative Corner – Iona Morrison

Her books have been tearing up Amazon’s Bestseller List, and today, Creative Corner is honored to chat with the very talented Iona Morrison!Meet Iona Morrison:

I was high-energy child armed with a vivid imagination. My mother introduced me to books, both for quiet times and for her sanity. With weekly trips to the Bookmobile, I grew up to be an avid reader.

I am also a bit of a social butterfly. I found an outlet for my talkative nature through teaching and speaking. Now I do most of speaking through writing, which I love. I never thought I would write murder mysteries with a paranormal twist, but here I am. My imagination has been freed.

I live in Colorado with my husband. I’m surrounded by my three sons, two are married and raising their own families. They have supported me in this new chapter of my life and my husband is my number one fan.

The Basics:

Welcome, Iona. Thanks for joining me here on Creative Corner.  What should my readers know about you?

• I am a social person who loves to write. I enjoy the process from beginning to end. My imagination is always at work and my characters give me endless hours of entertainment.

What are the 3 words that best describe you?

(I had to ask my husband about this.) Compassionate, witty, and happy.

Tell us about your work.

• I have two books published, ‘The Harvest Club’and ‘Not For Sale’. I’m proud of that accomplishment. The publisher is considering my third book now, and I just finished the fourth. Each story addresses something in society that is important to me in a purely fictional way.

Which piece of work are you most proud of?

• Your first book is always special no matter what, but ‘Not For Sale’is my favorite so far. It deals with the subject of human trafficking in a mystery and romance genre. My research for the book took me on a track with Bloodhounds and their handlers. I found the dogs amazing in their abilities. They do the job of finding humans both living and deceased and bring them home to their families.

What other creative endeavors do you enjoy?

• I’ve spoken publically for years and tried my hand a making quilts.

Are you a publicity-lover, or publicity shy?

• I think I fall somewhere in between. I’m not shy, but I don’t go out of my way for publicity either. I do love it when someone talks to me about the characters in my book as if they are real.

I love music, and I’m always interested in the musical tastes of my friends. Tell me your 3 favorite songs.

• At Last, Etta James; Counting Stars, OneRepublic; When I Fall In Love, Nat King Cole

What song best describes your life?

• Happy

The Glamorous, Dangerous Romance Section:

You are offered, free for one year, the use of either a customized, fully staffed jet (say a Bombardier Learjet 40XR), or a fully-staffed luxury yacht (perhaps a 150-foot vessel built by Palmer Johnson). Which do you choose?

• The luxury yacht is my choice.

Fabulous! Where are we going?

• We will cruise the Mediterranean going to Barcelona, Southern France, Tuscany, Rome, and Venice. Naturally, since we’re talking about a full year, we will have to stop in Monaco to visit the casinos. We also must do a little Island hopping, checking out  Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca. While we are at it, we might want to take in Athens, Ephesus, and Istanbul.

Who are we bringing with us?

• Our significant other and a few close friends.

I love to shop! And guess what?  An eccentric billionaire has offered us his charge card for a day of shopping; with one caveat…we can only go to one store.  Where are we going?

• I know the perfect spot to spend his money. Let’s shop for Prada on the Avenue De Monte Carlo.

What do we buy there?

• We’ll be shopping for shoes, handbags, perfumes, watches and sunglasses of course.

Which of the following soap operas most resembles your life: All My Children, Grey’s Anatomy, Dynasty or The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?

• Lately, I would have to say it’s quite like Grey’s Anatomy. (The hospital scene)

Which celebrity would you most like to star with in a romantic movie?

• Mark Harmon

The setting for this movie is a private island. Where is it located?

• The Caribbean

What do we find there?

• On the island where we’ll be staying there are twenty-two cottages scattered over one-hundred-thirteen acres so you can see or not see your neighbors as you please. You can fit a little relaxation, or maybe some tennis, scuba diving, and fishing into your day.

Now comes the danger…This lover’s paradise has an unforeseen danger. What is it?

• Tropical storms and hurricanes are always a possible threat.

Naturally, this danger imperils the love of your life. How do you save him/her?

• I must battle the elements to save him after he’s been knocked unconscious when hit by flying debris while securing the cottage.

Interviewee’s Choice:

If you were given $1,000,000 to donate to the charity of your choice, which one would you choose?

• I would donate my million to a clean water project. Every person needs clean water to drink.

If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing; and one thing only, what would it be?

• I would tell myself: Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up it goes by faster than you think.

What is the one issue you feel most passionately about?

• I feel very strongly about Human Trafficking. The money that is made and exchanged for human life is appalling. Most of the victims are women and children.

The Personal Touch:

What did you learn after publishing your first book that helped you with your second book?

• The first thing I learned was that I had a lot to learn. Marketing was hard for me, selling myself was contrary to what I had been taught most of my life, and there was much more to it than just writing the story. Still it was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had. I loved the entire process from beginning to end which made writing the second one easier. I still feel a catch in my throat as I wait to hear whether my publisher will contract the book or not.

What did you learn from your time with the Navajo people that the world could benefit from?

• The Navajo people are wonderful. They have endured harsh conditions over many years and emerged a caring and generous people. I learned that people who are a different culture are at their heart the same as me. They laugh, they love, and they cry the same as I do. There is no us and them on planet earth it really is only us in many varieties.

In one sentence, describe what it’s like to be a parent?

• The best thing I ever did.

A grandparent?

• My reward for letting my kids live when they were naughty.

Your heroine Jessie Reynolds experiences a ghostly encounter. Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

• I did. It happened when we were visiting the Hopi Indian Reservation.

You currently live in Colorado. Have you ever visited the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining?

• I’ve stayed at the Stanley Hotel.

If I wanted to go ghost hunting there, would you come with me?

• I might give it a try.

We are both fans of OneRepublic. If they invited us to be in a music video for the song of our choice, which song would it be?

• My song of choice would be Counting Stars.

Reach Out & Touch Someone:

Where can my readers get more information on you?

• You can find more information on my website or any of my social media platforms.
• https://ionamorrison.com/
• https://twitter.com/ionacrv
• https://www.facebook.com/Iona-Morrison-Author-534319506628681/timeline/
• https://www.facebook.com/iona.m.morrison
• https://www.pinterest.com/ionammorrison/

Where can my readers purchase your work?

Books can be purchased from Amazon or the publisher http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/ or my personal website.       https://ionamorrison.com/

Thank you so much for joining me, Iona!  Best Wishes on all your future endeavors!!

Happy Reading!

Clara

Thank you for a great interview, Clara. I had a great time.

I have learned that the world in our heads is too awesome to ignore; dreams and imaginations fuel our passions to live meaningful lives. When I grow up I want to be… is always followed by a person’s dream… I’ve never heard a child say yet, I want to be a failure. Our lives are amazingly resilient and fragile at the same time.

Most dreams are not selfish, but impactful.  Most people want to make a difference in their own unique way and to leave the world a better place because they were here. It make take us reinventing ourselves many times during our life, but we can still make a difference in our world, which may be only a small part of the greater world at large. One voice when added to another, one act of kindness multiplied by many, can change a person’s world.

Words are powerful tools; for life or destruction, for dream building or crushing. I can encourage a person’s dream or destroy it in a matter of a few words. I’ve always been fascinated by how words have affected me. I’m a reader. Stories speak to me whether true or fiction. Art and music move me. I have the chance to see the world through another’s eyes if only for a window of time.

Maya Angelou said. “When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”

Kind words have moved me forward when I was stagnant and abusive words have stopped me in my tracks. Books have inspired me to be better, kinder, and more aware of others in the world. There is no us or them, in reality it is only we. We all live on a huge rock spinning in space. It would be wise for us to find a way to get along.

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world; worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet, or excite you.” ~Anne Lamott

I’ve heard it said that children with dreams become adults with vision. So dream all those wondrous dreams…I still do. My heart has roots but my mind has wings.

What I enjoy most about writing is that almost anything can inspire me. A photo, a place, or even the waiter who served me at lunch. His smile or the way he talked can turn the wheels of my imagination and suddenly a story starts to frame itself in my mind.

When I look at this scene. I can see a woman running through the woods alone or at least she thinks she’s alone. She has established a nice steady pace for herself. Here feet are striking the ground a sound she is lost in; her mind is thinking ahead to what she has to get done when she arrives back home. She is unaware of her surroundings she has reached the running zone. She is oblivious to his eyes that are tracking her every movement. He’s staying behind her just far enough to keep her in his sights, while remaining out of hers. Will he give chase, is he building up the nerve, or is he another runner enjoying the peaceful quiet? It could go so many ways. The story is waiting to be told.

When I saw this photo a few days ago my attention was instantly captured. It’s certainly spooky enough. What would my character find if she stumbled upon in in the woods? Would she live to tell about it? There are so many stories waiting to be told in these two photos alone.

Fiction, of course, is made-up. It’s a lie with an element of truth to it. I find through my character’s lips and personalities I can say things that I could never get away with saying in real life. I can create towns for them to live in, situations to go through, and even new worlds if I want.

I’m not in competition with other writers, but I am with myself. I want to improve my craft and write a better book each time I write one. It’s idealistic I know and only the reader will be the judge of whether I am successful or not. Like every author I want to believe that there may be a great book in me somewhere and I haven’t yet been inspired by the idea.

Mostly, I love to write because at last my imagination is free.

Summer is coming to a close I wish you a beautiful and happy fall. May the next path you take be one of beauty.

There are a few things that I’ve come to understand that make me tick. I’m a social person, with a vivid imagination, who loves to hang out with people, but also loves to write.  I’m a bit of a character, really. I’m willing to share a little of me if for no other reason to establish the fact it takes all kinds of wonderful, unique individuals to make the world go round. Variety is the spice of life as they say.

I was asked in an interview recently the question; what are the 3 words that best describe you. Now, I have to admit I had to ask for help with the answer. It’s not always easy to be kind to yourself. The three words most often used to describe me were: Compassionate, happy, and witty. I’m not sure what that says about me. I know that I still have things to learn, room for change, and new adventures to write about. I want to continue to grow trying to fit the great shadows of those who have gone before me. I have big shoes to fill.

I love my family. We are a crazy eclectic group with lots of opinions and talents. I enjoy every moment we are all together. From the stories of escapades that I’ve never heard before to the wiggles and giggles of grandkids this is life at its sweetest.

I have found from the time we are little we learn fast that life can pat you on the back or push you in the dirt. There will be people who like you, people who don’t, and you’ll often never know why. Some folks will love what you do, a few might even tell you, while others will hate it and let you know without reserve; good things and bad things all jumbled together, that’s life. Learning to find the good in a an otherwise bad day, that’s progress. At least for me it is.

I’m a new writer with two books published, but I have by no means arrived. I’m still learning and hopefully growing in skills. In me somewhere I think there may be a really good book. When will it be written I have no idea. I believe it is possible with every book I write. So I practice and write everyday the potential is always right there within reach. I love the process of writing from beginning to end. The first draft has room for improvement and the final edited version shows the possibility that was hidden in it all along. A little like me, rough around the edges and constantly being improved by editing.

Enjoy the waning days of summer for just like that they’ll be gone.

“Life was meant to be lived,
and curiosity must be kept alive.
One must never, for whatever reason,
turn his back on life…”
~Eleanor Roosevelt~

Sometimes I get the feeling this world which is so full of magic, waits patiently (or not so patient) for our senses to grow sharper.  The hidden waits for us to become curious enough to search, and to listen. It waits for us to desire, to awaken, and to live before we die. We often just survive. We rush to work, we rush through our day, we come home only to arise, and do it all again. But what if… an extremely powerful thought…what if. A question that writers, filmmakers, and artists try to get us to think about. The amazing possibility of more. What the world might be like if we did this or we didn’t do that. What might happen if we could see what is going on around us hidden in the shadows.

I write because I like to imagine the possibilities of what if. I like to think about a protagonist who might have sharpened their senses. Who see and hear that which is unseen to most of humanity. I want a character who refuses to turn their back on life, and lives in each moment. I like to write because for a period of time I can live through my protagonist and I can see something beyond myself.

Yes, I know it’s only fiction but it’s my small attempt at caring. I feel very strongly about the subject in my new book, ‘Not For Sale’. The scourge of human trafficking, finding those enslaved, and the amazing people who work with tracking dogs that find real people everyday. I wanted my main character Jessie to represent what might happen if we actually tuned into the cries of humanity around us. Anyone of us, ordinary folks, could be a real hero or heroine. We could make a difference.

I’ve read a few blogs recently that started by asking the question; if you could go back in time and talk to one person who would it be?  Honestly, I never can think of just one person, much less what we might talk about for a moment. But the blogs are filled with replies that amaze me. People have given a thought  to the one person they would like to speak to and the conversations they might have with them.

At some point, I hang my head because I still can’t settle on just one. There are many great people who have spoken words that resonate long after they have passed from this life; not to mention the great artists, poets, teachers and leaders of nations. To settle on only one is like eating one chip, or a single M&M.

I do sometimes wish, however, that I could go back in time and talk to myself. What was I thinking? Life moves by fast enough without being in such a hurry. I would look myself in the eye and say; slow down, you may not believe this, but times goes fast. I mean really fast, you’ll be old before you know it.

Those quirky little things you do are what make you, you. I would smile at me with a knowing smile. People will want to change that about you but don’t let them. You can give up many things, but not who you are in your heart of hearts. You probably will to fit in, but keep fighting to hold on to who you are.

Daydreams, don’t hurt. Believe in your dreams and you’ll reach some of them. You’ll be often told they’re impossible but hold tight to each one they will bring you joy when the naysayers are gone.

Smile often, love deeply, show kindness and lend a helping hand. Live simply so others can simply live. Be happy to be, in every stage of life given to you. Enough said for the truth is, I would be so shocked to go back in time and see me, I would say nothing at all.

Not for Sale was released on May 22. Its first review are up.

“Not For Sale”. By Iona Morrison caught my attention immediately! She knows how to start a book, because it is that good, you don’t want to put it down! The intensity of this story moved me deeply as I experienced it page by page. I was glad to see Jesse and Matt, the characters we remember from her former book in this one. Jesse and Matt are intriguing, to say the least, as you follow them thru their unique investigative style! I know you will enjoy this book. Iona Morrison has a unique gift of bringing you into the life of her exciting mysteries with descriptive language. Easy, exciting, and fascinating reading.”

“Iona Morrison’s book, Not for sale, is as good or better than her first novel, The Harvest Club. In this book, she wastes no time diving in head first into the plot, because she had familiarized the main characters in the first novel. Woven through the book is a great love story that grows through time. Iona writes about important issues like child trafficking and the police work behind it in such a way that I found it intriguing and insightful. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a story with lots of twists and turns.”

Check it out now on Amazon.