The blog I am writing tonight is for Misty
Watts and Tami Carter. They are the new bright stars on the horizon. Both young women are creative, published authors and are in the process of making a name for themselves in the writing community. The following is a backdrop to where some of their talent originated. They were blessed with bright minds, flexible imaginations and good creative genes; each woman, in her own way, has felt the touch of magic as her thoughts and ideas created stories only she can see and write. There is no end to the talent that abounds in the Carter family. When Earl and Louise Carter married they each blessed their children with a double dose of creative genes in music, song and the written word; they also threw in a heaping scoop of good looks and charm.
Mimi, as my children called Mrs. Carter, liked to write. I looked forward to her letters when we lived in Arizona. She didn't write a letter...she wrote stories. I wish I had kept them. When Tommy was still living at home Mrs. Carter wrote a country song and sold it to a publisher in Tennessee. I think she was paid $250 for the song however; without realizing it she signed away her publishing rights and never made any more money from the song. The years I knew Mr. Carter there was always a harmonica in his shirt pocket. Many a morning Tommy and I would wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee and music as Mr. Carter gave their dog, Sheba Lane, her morning coffee and biscuit accompanied by a song. It was a good way to start the day.
Growing up their lives were not easy, or fair. At times it was extremely hard to even think of a song, a note or a word in their home. Sometimes music could not be heard in any one's mind... at other times music was all they had; however they made it. They survived and are blessed.
The Carter kids never had music lessons. They really didn't need them because everyone played by ear. As the older kids grew up and were in their 20's Jane, Virginia, Jim and Jerry Carter formed a singing group called "The Sunshine Gang". They played and sang Saturday mornings on WFUL radio station in Fulton, Kentucky. On weekend nights it wasn't unusual to find family and friends on the back porch playing music and singing. We call that 'pickin' and a grinin'...and we also call it fun.
Tommy, Joe Pillow, Tim Schwartz and Larry Pittman formed a band in high school named "The Plus Four". I remember hearing them play once at school. The music was great but the microphones didn't work. I had forgotten that part of the story. Tommy reminded me a few minutes ago; in fact he is in the living room still muttering about that:)
Six years later, Tommy played and sang in bands all over Atlanta, Georgia...the microphones usually worked. We did this for four years after his discharge from the Marines. It was one of my favorite times in our life together. We made many strange, funny memories, took crazy chances and made a few mistakes. All in all, it was wonderful and we were very lucky to have lived through all the drama. If our daughters had pulled some of the stunts we did...they would still be grounded.
People change and grow up. Now on Sunday mornings, churches all across Western Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Missouri are blessed with Carter voices in ministry and song at the church of their choice.
The above photo of Misty was taken in January 2014, at The Looking Glass bookstore in Martin, Tennessee. Misty co hosted the event with Tami and Micah D. Gardner. At the time this photo was snapped Misty had written three books. The series consisted of "Reap", "Harvest" and "Yield". Since January she has written two other novels..."Earthborn" and "Willow's Grace". It would be hard for me to pick my favorite book however, right now I am leaning toward "Willow's Grace"...I hope Misty writes a series of books on this story line. Her imagination has no boundaries.
Last Saturday Tami had her first Missouri book signing at Kincaid's in Centralia. It was the first time I could attend one of her signings and I almost missed this one because of a misguided snow storm. The turnout was great; as always the people of Centralia were wonderful and supportive.
So far Tami has written three books, two blogs and several short stories. The first book "Independence" is currently in the process of being edited and will be published soon. The second a novella, is a personal favorite of many people, "An Afternoon With Aunt Viv". Tami's breakout novel, "Collapse", is the first book in "The Yellow Flag Series". I think "Collapse" is my favorite book at this time. It is one of those stories that could easily happen in real life. That thought fascinates me. The characters are tough, strong and fight for life, as they are thrown in the frey of calamity. Tami is currently working on the second novel in the series.
All of the authors books can be purchased on Amazon. It is delightful to read the minds of these young women. I am often amazed and forever proud of their talents. I look forward to watching their careers unfold. They have made good use of the genes they were given...on both sides of the isle:)
To be continued...
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