Randy Elrod's Blog, page 5

Barcelona: The Muse Behind “The Purging Room”

In the labyrinthine streets of Barcelona, where Gothic spires rise above modernist masterpieces and ancient Roman walls embrace Mediterranean shores, I found the perfect muse for my transformative novella, The Purging Room. The idea was born in the Appalachian wilderness, but it needed Barcelona’s unique blend of architectural time travel, artistic rebellion, and sensual atmosphere...

The Doors We Fear to Open: Finding Courage to Cross New Thresholds

We encounter them daily—unopened doors that we hesitate to push open. The job application never submitted. The conversation perpetually postponed. The creative impulse repeatedly ignored. The relationship that remains unresolved. These thresholds exist everywhere in our lives, silently waiting for the moment when our courage finally outweighs our fear. In my novella The Purging Room, Phoenix...

About

I’m Randy, an artist whose insatiable curiosity and passion for experience routinely outpaces conventional wisdom. My journey weaves through multiple creative terrains—from music to writing, from entrepreneurship to wilderness adventures. As an author, I’ve explored the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and authentic living through works including A Renaissance Redneck in a Mega-Church Pulpit (memoir), My Confession, The Loss of...

My First Novel is Here

Successful businessman Phoenix Adams has it all: wealth, status, a beautiful wife, and a respected position as an elder in his church. Yet as he lands in New York after closing the biggest deal of his career, an overwhelming emptiness threatens to consume him. When a business acquaintance directs him to an unmarked door in...

Freedom

Personal Freedom: Definitions, Dimensions, and Dilemmas Personal freedom is one of humanity’s most cherished and contested values. From ancient philosophical debates to modern political movements, the concept of freedom has inspired revolutions, shaped constitutions, and defined individual lives. Yet this seemingly straightforward ideal—to be free—reveals layers of complexity when examined closely. What constitutes true freedom?...

Communion

Communion with Others: The Art and Importance of Human Intimacy In its most fundamental sense, communion describes a profound state of shared understanding and connection between people. This deep intimacy—physical, intellectual, emotional, and sometimes spiritual—represents one of humanity’s most vital needs and greatest challenges. When we achieve genuine communion with others, we transcend the boundaries...

Curiosity

The Power of Curiosity: Humanity’s Greatest Driving Force Curiosity, that instinctive desire to know and understand, has been the silent engine behind humanity’s most outstanding achievements. From the first human who wondered what lay beyond the horizon to modern scientists probing the depths of quantum reality, curiosity has propelled us forward as a species. It...

Sensuality

The Art of Sensuality: Engaging the Full Spectrum of Human Experience At its essence, sensuality is the art of experiencing life through our senses. It represents a heightened awareness of the physical world and our body’s interaction with it. Far more than merely sexual, sensuality encompasses the full spectrum of sensory experiences that make us...

The Four Most Important Words In Life

These four words determine our capacity for enjoyment. They provide meaning in life. And they have the power to quieten the confused noise within. These four words paint a stunning panorama of one’s most passionately held beliefs and ideas. They comprise all the affections, the thoughts, the joy, and the faith of a lifetime. They...

Drinkin’ the Koolaid

Original Pen and Watercolor on Art Paper March 2025 — 45.5 x 61 cm