62 ratings | 33 reviews | avg rating:4.42

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Patrick Michael Murphy

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrick-Michael-...

Genre

Contemporary, Thriller, Memoir

Member Since

May 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/patrickmm

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Patrick Michael Murphy became a motion picture cameraman in the United States Army and traveled globally. Afterward, he spent 20 years as an Emmy Award winning cameraman and writer for news, documentaries, and music videos. He's also made a living as a personal trainer, Realtor, newspaper writer, concrete laborer, road repairman, dishwasher, paperboy, and pooper scooper. He was raised in Illinois by two loving parents. In his free time he can be found where the clean wild winds blow. ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Did you ever see Max again after that strange encounter at your cabin? I liked your office on the river. A $12 nylon chair and a free view of the wildlife. About how many bears did you see?

Patrick Michael Murphy Hi Nancy, thank you for writing and reading "A Forest A River and me." I can't say more about Max as I wouldn't want to give away details for those wh…moreHi Nancy, thank you for writing and reading "A Forest A River and me." I can't say more about Max as I wouldn't want to give away details for those who haven't yet finished the story. Yes, the best office in the world is definitely by a river loaded with wildlife, and cool water on a hot day! Black bear are plentiful in the North Idaho region, so you can see them regularly, but grizzlies are down to only a handful, due to loss of habitat and increasing pressure from humans.(less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Patrick Michael Murphy I am not sure I have ever had writer's block. Life is very deep, and full, and it presents so much to consider, to feel, to participate in. I see aspe…moreI am not sure I have ever had writer's block. Life is very deep, and full, and it presents so much to consider, to feel, to participate in. I see aspects every day I would like to write about. And do. When on a specific project, such as the novel I am currently writing, I try not to judge too critically what I've put on paper. I know I will go back in an edit and make changes. For me, editing is writing. Rewriting is writing. It's all part of a process and each step holds good energy for me. If something doesn't feel right, I stop and look at it, say it aloud, feel my way into a better expression, if I can. Otherwise, I move ahead... keep going.

My issue is not so much that I "suffer" from a blockage, but rather the knowledge that I lack the talent, the ability to artfully convey what I feel, or think I see, in my mind's eye. Now THAT is frustrating. To lack the words, the power, the vision to say what you want to say in a way that you feel truly gets it, hammers it, that is a humbling and disappointing moment. And they seem to keep coming! And so, perfection cannot be the total aim. We do the best we can do. Hopefully readers will enjoy it, understand it, and take the journey with you.

Letting something breathe for a time is a very powerful medicine. I have let drafts sit on the shelf for years before they finally show me what is needed, or I learn what I need to learn in order to put it together. Some just never get finished.

If you feel blocked, relax. Move forward. Go on vacation or have a new experience, or simply one you love and haven't done for awhile. Find a new perspective. Maybe that will help.

Writing teaches me. It has taught me my limitations, and that many others will not appreciate what I thought was art, or clear communication, or an epiphany, if you will. It has taught me about myself, what kind of person I am, and am not. It has also taught me about the world around me and the people in it. I wouldn't trade away my writing experience, even though it is not always easy.(less)

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Patrick Michael Murphy’s books

Average rating: 3.96 · 112 ratings · 34 reviews · 6 distinct works

	A Forest A River and me: off-grid wilderness adventure 3.77 avg rating — 86 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Across the Desperate Miles 4.50 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2010 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Italy, My Travels with Chief, Our Not So Ordinary Vacation it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Trail of Ice: A Lot Can Happen on the Way Home... 4.40 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2016 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	On the Banks of the Animas 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Stairway to Heaven: The Beatitudes and God's Plan for Your Life! :Looking at Matthew 5 with Fresh Eyes 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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32 posts
Patrick Michael Murphy's Blog

High Hope

There's a sharp morning light warming our southern Colorado land. Yesterday 4 inches of snow wet down the earth and the trees that gave way with broken branches.

The nuthatch, Stellar's jay, pine siskin, and western tanager are hungry for seed and prance about on our deck, happy and getting full fast.

I planted bee and butterfly bushes too early for the cold that came, but the dozen ponderosa pine n Read more of this blog post »

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Published on May 12, 2017 06:14

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Patrick’s Quotes

“We must never confuse elegance with snobbery”
― Yves Saint Laurent

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Patrick’s Groups

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 56112 members — last activity 1 hour, 8 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Memoir Authors — 1292 members — last activity Jan 31, 2026 06:14AM
A group for those who have written or are busy writing a memoir - let's share experiences. ...more

Creative Reviews — 3849 members — last activity Feb 18, 2026 02:36AM
This group is a way to gather together people who like to write book reviews as well as advertise their book review blogs. With enough people we will ...more

Insight Environmentalists — 55 members — last activity Jun 19, 2022 01:55AM
This group aims to explore the union between spirituality and ecology because thinking and acting in harmony with the natural order of the universe is ...more

GOOD REVIEWS — 8635 members — last activity 7 hours, 54 min ago
This Group is only for authors who are looking for reviews and Reviewers who love to read books and share their reviews.

Around the World in 80 Books — 31038 members — last activity 1 hour, 19 min ago
Reading takes you places. Where in the world will your next book take you? If you love world literature, translated works, travel writing, or explorin ...more

Coffee & Books — 3214 members — last activity 2 hours, 45 min ago
Welcome to Coffee & Books. Snuggle up with a warm cup and a book! We do monthly reads, challenges and personal readings here at C&B. Follow us on in ...more

Book Loving Kiwis — 1351 members — last activity 5 hours, 57 min ago
A group for New Zealand book lovers (and authors) and lovers of New Zealand books (and books in general). A place to share what we are reading, introd ...more

Eco-fiction — 189 members — last activity Jan 20, 2026 01:40PM
Ecofiction, eco-fiction, green fiction--call it what you will, I believe it's an up-and-coming genre. Looking for those who agree to share the books y ...more

Catfish Creek Readers — 13 members — last activity Dec 22, 2014 03:34PM
Book group focusing on a love of nature and environment. Meeting monthly at Swiss Valley Nature Center.

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