Terry Michael Hagans – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 19th

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Michael Ray KingMay 13, 2015

The Inspired Mic is now entering its third year! We began this wonderful trek at The BeachHouse Beanery in May of 2013. May the 19th is technically the official two-year mark as we began on the third Tuesday of the month way back when. The Inspired Mic boasts writers of all genres, magicians, musicians, mentalists, actors, motivational speakers, painters, just to name a few. The write-ups you will be reading on this site were all written by the presenters as a way for you to get to know them. Pick your tickets up now, because they are $10 in advance, $15 at the door! You may get tickets in person at Change Jar Books, Flagler Beach Gift Shop, and The BeachHouse Beanery.You may also purchase advance tickets at The Inspired Mic

Terry Michael Hagans

In the 1980’s I corresponded with an American Jesuit who, as I recall, commented that we do not save ourselves, we are saved through others. In another time John Donne wrote that no man is an island.

When my wife and I moved to Palm Coast four and a half years ago we met Nadine King at her Christmas Come True retail store next to Bahama Mamas in Flagler Beach and later met one of her friends, Tim Baker. He’d been writing and was writing and to this day I remember him telling me that if I had that passion I only had to engage it. He wasn’t telling me something new but it came through as something he had experienced as really true.

One word, one person can set things in motion in another. Tim did that for me in a very subtle way even though our writing forms and styles are as different as night is from day.

One thing led to another. Indirectly, through crooked lines. A genealogy of sorts emerged and I met Michael Ray King. And have been at the Inspired Mic on and off for well over a year. I am thankful, and thankful for meeting another writer, Becky Pourchot. She has told me that she appreciates the writing I have chosen to share. That spurred me on some more.

So, as these and unnamed others have urged me to write, I hope to touch at least one of you with my calling. My interest is descriptive and of the heart. Not action paced or based. Call it poetic if you will. You can judge for yourself come May 19.

Robin H. Soprano – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 19th

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Michael Ray KingMay 13, 2015

Robin H. Soprano

I Completed my second novel Absinthe. This book flowed out of me much easier then the first. This time the story was so much fun to write and not as emotionally driven as the first. Absinthe, A Magical Mystery with Romance thrown in the mix, along with a 200 year old spirit who is desperately reaching out for help. And it all started with one sip.

My fist novel A Soul Mate’s Promise, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and Books-a-million websites

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1935795317/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_eH8oub0WQPW87

and follow me on my Author Face book Page… Robin H. Soprano

come visit my blog at Robin H. Soprano Author

Orjanette Bryant – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 19th

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Michael Ray KingMay 8, 2015

Orjanette Bryant

Author Orjanette Bryant is motivational speaker, wellness consultant, mentor, business consultant, missionary, and a Registered nurse. As a guest speaker on the panel at several Natural hair care events she educates women about a chemical free approach to beauty. This consultant shares her knowledge about natural hair care in her first publication book, Nubia’s Guide to Going Natural. You will learn some of the importance of avoiding the harmful chemicals and consider alternatives for their hair care.

Mrs. Bryant the CEO/ president of Natural Nubian Inc worked along with Dr. Sirretta Williams, whom appeared on the Oprah Show for her dynamic publication about her former NFL son’s encounter with abuse, on the set of her a pilot to empower women. And she also hosted an empowerment event with Dr. Williams as her very special guest appearance. This women’s event transform women in such a powerful, but unique way.

Mrs. Bryant is inspirational at helping others through the love and inspiration she shares for others.

Heidi Tassone – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 19th

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Michael Ray KingMay 7, 2015

Heidi Tassone

Heidi Tassone grew up in the Bronx, New York and currently resides in Florida with her husband, Joe and her dog, Brutus. She’s won several writing contests for her short works, including Star of Wonder, Deadly Dating, Our Little Secret and Maxine’s Valentines Surprise, and has five tales published in an Anthology called, Mosaic, A Collection of Short Stories . She is also published in Gems Magazine. Heidi is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature and The Long Ridge Writer’s Group where she successfully completed short fiction and novel writing courses. She enjoys her quiet life in Florida where she can freely write stories and novels that keep readers at the edge of their seat.

Heidi first aspired to write when having lunch with her now husband, Joe. He mentioned a dream he had which seemed very realistic. Heidi told him she always wanted to write a novel, but never tried. With encouragement from her husband, she took several writing courses online.

While driving to work, a thought came to her regarding a women living in New York having visions of murders, only the murders weren’t in New York. They were somewhere tropical. In search of the reason behind her visions, she discovers the murders are real, but taking place in Florida. Thus sets off a world wind of turmoil and intrigue for her protagonist, Lisa Martin. From finding out the truth about her family, to romance, to becoming the focal point of the murderer, Lisa Martin is in for a ride of her young life. Hence, “Behind Green Eyes.” becomes a reality.

Because of an online writing group, Fanstory.com, one of the secondary characters becomes a favorite. So began a second novel, not yet completed, “Deadly Secrets”, staring a New York detective, Peter Sharpe searching for the killer of his former Captain.

Heidi enjoys writing to keep the reader surprised. She also loves short cliff hangers throughout her stories. Hopefully she will find the time to get “Behind Green Eyes,” published and “Deadly Secrets,” completed.

Ronald Adams – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 19th

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Michael Ray KingMay 7, 2015

Ronald Adams

Meet Ronald Adams Ronald Adams was born in St. Augustine Florida. At the age of two-years-old Ron’s parents relocated to Long Island, New York in 1954 with Ron his two brothers and four sisters. Ron graduated from Brentwood High School in Long Island, New York. As a senior in high school Ron placed 3rd in the New York State Wrestling Championships at 133lbs. After high school Ron attended the State University at Farmingdale, New York where he won the Jr. College National Wrestling Champion’s at 150lbs in 1972 and also was awarded the Athlete of the Year trophy the same year at the State University of Farmingdale. After spending two and a-half years at the State University of Farmingdale, New York Ron took three years off from college to travel and earn a Black Belt in the art of Tae Kwon Do. In 1976 Ron returned to college at the University of California at Santa Barbara where he became a National Tae Kwon Do Champion at 163 lbs in1978 and earned his B.S. in Sociology in 1980. While Ron was attending the University of California at Santa Barbara Ron had a spiritual encounter that changed his life forever and Ron says that “upon this spiritual encounter I wrote the greatest poem I have ever written.

When There Is No Doubt In Your Mind
You have conquered yourself
You conquer the Devil
You tap that ultimate source of energy
You transcend all elements of time
When there is no doubt in your mind
You cross through that thin membrane that separates you from your genius
Where new rivers of knowledge flow
Where insight will be projected upon the imagination in motion picture length
When absolute confusion is washed away
Where few men thread and wise men never go
That frame of mind that has driven scholars to suicide but you survive,
if you enter with no doubt in your mind, Its only once in-a-while that a man challenges for that frame of mind
Which sits at the bottom of the imagination
That place where the tree of knowledge grows
That place where the old thoughts die and the new thoughts grow
The step above the mentality of relativity
That place where the ideology can’t go
When there is no doubt in your mind

Since Ron had his spiritual awakening Ron has spent his life searching for the source of that spiritual force and has been through one trail after the other searching for the source of that spiritual power. After searching for thirty three years Ron says that he now realizes his search for this source of power was the strength that brought him through all those trails and tribulations he encountered on his journey. Only to find out that the source of the power that Ron was seeking was inside of him because of the spiritual encounter he had.
In1994 Ron was diagnosis with one of the worst cases of diabetes on record in the United States of America. One day after Ron was diagnosis with diabetes Ron said that a spiritual voice spoke to him and said “do as I say do and I will restore you back to your natural health.” Now some eighteen years later Ron has been restored back to his natural health and you can read all about Ron’s journey from his childhood to his cure in his Book, “No Mountain to High Too Climb” You can also enjoy some of Ron’s other books.

Ronald’s Website

Jim Farrell – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 5th, 2015

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Michael Ray KingApril 23, 2015

The Inspired Mic is now entering its third year! We began this wonderful trek at The BeachHouse Beanery in May of 2013. This May the 5th, we return to The Beanery and our roots! The Inspired Mic boasts writers of all genres, magicians, musicians, mentalists, actors, motivational speakers, painters, just to name a few. The write-ups you will be reading on this site were all written by the presenters as a way for you to get to know them. Pick your tickets up now, because they are $10 in advance, $15 at the door! You may get tickets in person at Change Jar Books, Flagler Beach Gift Shop, and The BeachHouse Beanery.You may also purchase advance tickets at The Inspired Mic

Jim Farrell

Jim Farrell is still promoting his first novel, Brooklyn Boy, and his collection of short stories, Kiss Me, Kate and Other Stories, but he is actively involved in the final stages of preparing his new novel, The Extraordinary Banana Tree (EBT), for publication.

He will be reading one of his short stories from Kiss Me, Kate at the April and May (2) Inspired Mics: Little Max and the Hooters Girl. The story is fiction, but those who know his grandson, Max, will recognize the truth underlying the fiction. Strangely enough, Little Max’s grandmother, Paula Felici, will also be presenting in April. Paula is a well-known and quite accomplished local artist who works out of the Salvo Art Project. Jim’s son married Paula’s daughter. Jim and Paula both live in Palm Coast, and Little Max now lives in Ponte Vedra, just south of Jacksonville. Jim and Paula can often be seen on the sidelines of Max’s lacrosse games cheering him on.

Jim introduced his new novel, EBT, and the heroine, Cheryl Flynn, to the world at the March Inspired Mic at Leroy’s 19th Hole. Cheryl Flynn was aboard the C5A that left Saigon on April 4, 1975, as an escort for a group of Vietnamese-American orphans being airlifted to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. The plane, and this is actual history, crashed thirteen miles southeast of Saigon. The novel moves back in time to follow the career of Billy Dobson, who was Manager of Flight Operations for Air America on April 4,1975. The reader does not re-arrive at April 4, 1975, until Chapter Twenty-Eight and, even though Cheryl reappears in Chapter Five and is prominent throughout the novel, the reader does not know if Cheryl survives the crash until we reach Chapter 28. Don’t ask Jim. He won’t tell.

Jim Farrell was Manager of Flight Operations for Air America in Saigon, so the story, and it is fiction, is based on many actual experiences he had in South Vietnam and other locales in Southeast Asia. Although the novel tells the story of the fall of Saigon and of the events leading up to it, it is not a war story. It is a love story set in a time of war. I think the reader will love the relationship that develops between Cheryl Flynn and Billy Dobson that starts when they meet on the beach in Nha Trang, a piece of Heaven on Earth, in April, 1973. And although the story is based on fact, it is a novel. It is fiction.

Jim is currently working with his very attractive niece, Tara Collinson, who will be the model for Cheryl Flynn on the book’s cover. Tara’s fiancé is working to create the proper background for Tara in the cover photo: the blue and silver Air America helicopters, for example.

Jim falls in love with all his heroines: Cheryl Flynn in the Extraordinary Banana Tree, Anita Sanchez in Brooklyn Boy, Sandy Roberts in the “Mark and Sandy” stories (eight) in Kiss Me, Kate.

Jim is currently also working on a new collection of short stories, tentatively called The Committee and Other Stories which he plans to get published after EBT is out and available. The title story is about Homeowners Association self-appointed enforcers. Anyone who has lived with a HOA Agreement has met these busybodies. Other stories deal with the teenage trauma of moving just before beginning high school (Rebecca), high school problems (Fight on a School Bus), the at times unbelievable self-absorption of the elderly (Where’s My Car?), Internet sex solicitation (Adriana), and three stories about a US Army Captain who takes R&R in Perth, Western Australian, and meets the love of his life. (It All Started One Saturday in Perth; Marcus and the Schoolyard Fight; The Rhode Island Visit.) The exotic heroine of these final three stories, Sky Winters, is trying to crack the trinity of Cheryl, Anita and Sandy.

Jim’s first two books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, paperback or Kindle/Nook, and at Change Jar Books in Flagler Beach. Brooklyn Boy is even available in a hard cover edition from Amazon for those who want the very best.

The Extraordinary Banana Tree will also be available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and also in the same formats as Brooklyn Boy: hardcover, paperback, Kindle and Nook. And, of course, at Change Jar Books. He promises to let the world know when it is available.

Michele Berg – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 5th, 2015

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Michael Ray KingApril 23, 2015

Michele Berg

I was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to the USA sixteen years ago. I have worked in the ministry, education and the corporate world; however, nothing gives me greater joy and fulfillment than when I am creating. As an artist and photographer I see art in everything and want to either paint it, photograph it or write a poem about it.

My life has truly been a journey of experiences, people, families and places – writing about them all has given, and continues to give me a sense of joy and exorcism! Every experience in life and every meeting is an opportunity for a poem to be written. How can my life have been effective if I never put pen, paint or picture to paper for a lasting memory.

As a young child my grandmother would read me the poems she wrote and encouraged me to do the same – I remember thinking then how much easier it was to express myself and my feelings through the written word. My father loved poetry and would often read me poems from the classic poets of our time – he said it was like “food for the soul”.

In South Africa our school curriculum was based on the British system so we had Eisteddfods (a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance). Each year schools would select students to enter and recite poetry and read essays – I was part of the group selected each year and won a number of awards. I had a wonderful English teacher in boarding school who encouraged me to write and read my poetry out loud in class, and on occasion during our formal school assemblies.

I have had two poems published as an adult. In Michigan I was part of an online group called The Poetry Cafe and in Florida I joined the Tomoka Poets branch in Palm Coast.

In February of this year my poem ‘Cathedrals’ won second place at Flagler County Art League’s show ‘Art Inspiring Poetry – Poetry Inspiring Art’; and my poem ‘Your Empty Chair’ came in tie for first place for the People’s Choice Award.

“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.” Plutarch

Marjorie Phoenix – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 5th, 2015

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Michael Ray KingApril 23, 2015

Marjorie Phoenix

Marjorie Phoenix, has lived in Flagler County for 12 years. She’s a resident of Flagler Beach and absolutely loves it! She’s the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, 22 and 10, a full-time college student at Daytona State (graduating any day now) , and active Coastmaster. Marjorie is the author of a new book, Who The Hell Do You Think You Are? a memoir. The story of her traumatic divorce that left her homeless, penniless and fighting for custody of her youngest child. Marjorie uses the speaking platform as a Toastmaster, and her Influence through social media to speak out against Psychological and Financial Abuse.

Tovah Janovsky – The Inspired Mic Spotlight – May 5th, 2015

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Michael Ray KingApril 23, 2015

Tovah Janovsky

Tovah was recently video-recorded for the YouTube series “that’s so bizarre” produced by Becky Pourchot. She shared true life experiences with “shadow people”, holy visitations, a prophetic dream and an out of body experience.

Her plans to write a book are on hold for a variety of reasons. Recovering from hip joint surgery her creative juices are a bit depleted so she is in a kind of holding pattern. As of this writing she is unsure what she is presenting, so we will all be surprised this evening.

She has been writing a blog since 2005, www.tovahsez.wordpress.com. Stop by soon to read tales from her sojourn on planet earth.