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Words Are Powerful
WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING. is a collection of poetic meditations delivered in short verses, reflections, and fragments resembling journal entries. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
Words to Think. Or to Sing. was created to connect pop music lovers, curious minds, thoughtful people, and poetic souls through sonorous art, right from its earliest stage. Music artists usually keep their process mostly private while creating, maybe occasionally sharing some behind-the-scenes after everything is ready and available to stream. I wanted to offer a glimpse into my mind and soul from the beginning of the story in an original, special manner instead, and thought that poetic parts of my pop songs in progress, paired with little insights about their meanings, would be a great way to introduce myself.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this poetry collection?
This publication actually consists of lyric excerpts from pop songs I plan to release one at a time, so it can’t be considered a traditional, classic poetry collection. Modern poetry felt like the closest category to classify it. The biggest challenge lay exactly in this multifaceted nature. Although my songwriting style in general could be described as minimalistic, poetic, and relatable, I had to choose which passages worked well as stand-alone excerpts that could best support this concept of teasing songs while inspiring self-reflection and conversations through selected snippets.
How do you approach writing about deeply personal or emotional topics?
When something catches my attention longer than usual, whether positive or not, I often start to play with words to describe what the situation means to me. It feels like processing or closure, which then, when explored further, can become tuneful. From there, some of these ideas might turn into song concepts, lyric excerpts, and one day, songs to stream. In doing so, I like to use deep but accessible metaphors which come from living life with an open heart and mind. That is my biggest inspiration. For instance, in the excerpt called VANISH, which is about unfulfilled, fading written promises, you can find a delicate interplay between light and rain symbolizing the alternating moments of healing or relief and the recurring storm inside. While both sunlight and tempests consume that piece of paper keeping those promises present and alive, time passes and the words fade as the mind finds its peace. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I hope you will get the chance to read it and maybe one day, even sing some of your favorite lines together with me at the top of our lungs. I think it’s a pretty cool perspective to know that the book is not the end, but just the beginning. Other authors write sequels. I do songs and artistic multimedia concepts from the shared fragments of this work.
How has this collection changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
Deciding to curate and publish this book first, instead of following the usual song-release model, is another testament that I’m not the type for those rushed rides the industry is used to, nor to support a fast-food art approach. That’s why I’m inviting everyone interested to join me in this unique evolving music journey instead. Words are powerful, and if set to music, they become even more memorable and emotional. I want them to linger a little longer and deeply connect with those resonating with all this. Music has always been profoundly meaningful and empowering to me. I would be more than glad and truly honored to become a long-time companion to the readers.
Author Links: GoodReads | Websites
Not with the words, not with the melody, but with a feeling.
Becoming a vision, becoming lines, becoming a complete piece of sonorous truth meant to be shared to unite people who resonate with it.
A mystical, fascinating process you can now be part of.
INTENSIA, a new heartfelt, poetic singer songwriter likely to belong with your favorite pop music companions, is turning the traditional release model upside down, inviting you to look into her soul and mind before anyone else.
Be among the first to witness this spark before her distinctive voice echoes through the world. This unique approach offers an unprecedented glimpse into evolving art, so you can feel and enjoy the essence of her songs before they are even complete.
Dive into this curated collection of lyric excerpts and emotional snapshots from pop songs in progress. Each piece stands on its own as a modern, poetic message, paired with brief reflections about the meaning or emotions behind the words.
It is more than something to read. It is a space to pause, reflect, and connect, with room for your thoughts and reflections too. Write what moves you, what you feel, what you dream. This book and its songs to be are meant to accompany you wherever you go.
For even more space to express yourself, the companion notebook PLACE TO THINK. OR TO WRITE. (ISBN 978-3-911445-02-3) is available as a dedicated space.
WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING. out 26 June 2025 on Amazon. Paperback (ISBN 978-3-911445-00-9), eBook (ISBN 978-3-911445-01-6).
Join INTENSIA’s free Intense Inside Club at http://www.intensia.music and discover this special music developing experience as it unfolds, where connection begins as songs come to life.
#intensiawords
WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING.
Intensia’s Words to Think. Or to Sing. is a collection of poetic meditations that bounce between philosophy, humor, identity, and raw emotion. Structured as a notebook of short verses, reflections, and fleeting thoughts, the book offers a tapestry of lyrical fragments that read like journal entries or inner monologues caught mid-thought. It doesn’t follow a clear narrative. Instead, it invites the reader to wander, pause, laugh, and ponder. The voice shifts freely, sometimes abstract, sometimes punchy, often surprising. At its heart, this book is a dance between the silly and the sacred, the vulnerable and the absurd.
I enjoyed how unfiltered it all felt. There’s this wild honesty in the way the author jumps from introspective sadness to cheeky self-mockery. One line made me laugh. Another hit me hard. And somehow, they sat right next to each other like old friends. I love when a book doesn’t try to be tidy. This one doesn’t even pretend. It’s messy in a good way. It feels like real thought, like someone actually thinking on the page instead of crafting perfect poetry. That made it feel alive. The kind of alive that’s a little chaotic and a little beautiful.
Some bits felt so random I had to reread them three times to decide if they meant something. And I liked that feeling, though I imagine it could drive other readers nuts. There’s no clear plot, no through-line, and the tone switches gears fast. I personally enjoy that kind of unpredictability. It reminded me of flipping through a notebook someone left behind on a park bench, strange, funny, haunting, and kind of thrilling.
I’d recommend this book to people who like their literature weird and personal and a little rough around the edges. If you’re into poetry that feels more like a whisper or a smirk than a polished performance, you’ll probably love this. Artists, songwriters, or anyone who finds inspiration in broken lines and passing moods will find gold in here.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0F9RR5TK9
Wisdom and Knowledge
Love’s Guest: Reflections of Inspiration and Wonder: An Annotated Selection from The Spiritual Dialogues by Saint Catherine of Genoa shares with modern readers this influential work about the depth of divine love. Why was this an important book for you to write?
While I was researching material for a new novel at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, I was reading the journals of Thomas Merton. In one entry I read a section where Merton mentions he had been asked to write a biography about the life of an ‘absolutely transformative’ Saint Catherine of Genoa. I had never heard of her, but had a deep and clear urge to read more. Long story short, when I read a certain section of her ‘Spiritual Dialogues,’ I had the overwhelming feeling I was showering in Divine Love, as if every cell in my body was filled with light. I felt transformed. Within days of that reading, still “dripping in the experience,” I knew I would bring this little book to fruition. This is not a ‘religious’ book, nor am I a ‘religious’ man. But, I am aware that the power, pathos, and transformative power of this mystical Saint is alive in her song of Divine Love.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
The book “came” to me in March, 2023. I had written the Preface fairly quickly and edited the text with Annotations. The Meditations on Love also came fairly quickly, all within 3 months.
With the Preface written and text edited, my hope was to find a “scholar” or educated writer for a more in depth and proper Introduction on the life of Saint Catherine’s life and meaning of the text, in particular the role of Divine Love in the world today.. After a few months, while I found a publisher and was receiving strong praise from distinguished Spiritual Leaders, I found no one to write the Introduction. The publisher suggested I write and at this point I delved into deep research and completed the Introduction. This was perhaps the “hardest” part for me, which took another 3 months, and the book was completed in late July, 2023. The publisher then took about 3 months to edit the work, at which time I took another month to incorporate the suggestions.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I had no goals other than to give the book the deepest respect I could muster and do justice to Saint Catherine’s message of Divine Love. I sought to honor the call of Spirit “asking” me to write this book.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Love’s Guest?
I hope readers find in the book a certain wisdom and knowledge of what Divine Love feels like– And a knowledge– and a feeling for and sense of how Divine Love is present in the world today. I will soon begin to offer a contemplative workshop, “The Everyday Mystic” which will explore our individual capacity to receive Spirit in our life on a daily basis.
Author Links: Website
This beautifully illustrated Annotated Selection from Saint Catherine’s Spiritual Dialogues, a classic of Christian literature describing the Italian mystic’s spiritual transformation, includes a reflection workbook to encourage a deepening of love and understanding in our own lives. Freshly edited and revised for the modern reader, Saint Catherine speaks of Love as Spirit, God, and Human existence in a voice simultaneously profound and simple.
Updated with Modern English and a Reflection Workbook
Love’s Guest: Reflections of Inspiration and Wonder
In the elegantly crafted Love’s Guest, readers journey into the depths of St. Catherine of Genoa’s inner universe. Drawing deeply from her influential work, Spiritual Dialogues, this revered 15th-century Italian mystic delves into the intricate nature of divine love. The book opens with a compelling introduction that gracefully ushers readers into the life and profound devotion of Saint Catherine. Recognized for her undying service to the ailing and impoverished, her legacy has been cherished throughout the ages.
As you delve deeper, you’ll encounter a collection of meditations meticulously edited by Marc Aronoff. His masterful editing ensures that the essence of St. Catherine’s insights are accessible and resonant for contemporary readers. At the heart of these meditations lies the exploration of love: a force described as both tender and powerful, akin to a “divine flame” that fills the heart with pure ecstasy. Through these reflections, readers will grapple with the concept of the immortal soul’s capacity to experience a love that transcends the confines of our earthly existence, shedding light on the fragility of our human form. Love is portrayed as the catalyst for transformation, a force that liberates, strengthens, and aligns our aspirations with the divine.
St. Catherine vividly prompts readers to envision God as a sacred thread woven into the very fabric of our being, eternally linking us to the divine. Such imagery is potent, inviting readers to continuously acknowledge and celebrate this eternal bond. Accompanied by thought-provoking queries, this book becomes a meditation guide, urging introspection. The closing remarks by Brother Paul Quenon are particularly poignant, while Jan Richardson’s artistry—marked by its discerning palette and refined simplicity—augments the book’s resonance, encapsulating the essence of the meditations beautifully.
Engaging with Love’s Guest is a transformative experience. While its narrative may be concise, its message about the universality of love resonates timelessly. Even though St. Catherine voiced these sentiments centuries ago, their relevance in today’s context remains undiminished. Love’s Guest stands as a testament to her enduring wisdom and boundless compassion.
Pages: 88 | ASIN : B0CGGV5CLC
Jesus Came for People Who Need Help
Nobody Left Out – Jesus Meets the Messes is an encouraging Christian-based Self-Help devotional for readers struggling in life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wanted people to see the love and compassion Jesus has for people who don’t have it all together. I have a heart for people who feel left out.
I have cerebral palsy, and while I love the life I have, I understand the feeling of being left out. So it was important for me to remind people who feel the same way that Jesus came for people like them. Jesus came for people who need help, not for people who are perfect!
The Bible can be an intimidating piece of literature, and it’s hard to know where to begin. If you are struggling in life, I would say the best place to start is by reading stories about Jesus. There are so many stories in the Bible about Jesus meeting people in their mess and brokenness. I chose eight of these stories to highlight in the book, and honestly, there were many more I could have included. I tried to pick stories that encompassed a wide variety of struggles and situations. In some stories, the characters find themselves in a mess due to their choices and mistakes. But in others, they were thrown into a mess through no fault of their own. Either way, Jesus doesn’t forget them. He includes them in God’s story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The biggest theme is Jesus’ love for people in the middle of a mess. My heart breaks for people who think their lives must be “perfect” for God to love them. It also breaks for people who have been harshly judged by Christians. As Christians, we should be the least judgemental people on the planet! The theme that Jesus meets us in our mess and brokenness is one that I hope will resonate with people. I know it’s a message I need to be reminded of every single day.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
That God’s love is big enough for everyone! It’s my hope that as people read these eight encounters, they will see themselves in the stories. I think we can relate to a lot of these messy situations. By seeing how Jesus met the characters in their mess, I pray people will see how Jesus can meet them in theirs. I want readers to know that no matter what situation they are dealing with right now, Jesus doesn’t want them to be left out of the story God is writing.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book in the Nobody Left Out series is titled Waves of Grace. It’s based on the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. Most people are familiar with the story of Jonah getting swallowed by the big fish. But there’s so much more to the tale than that! The story of Jonah is a true “Nobody Left Out” story. It’s a story about how God’s love is for all people and the lengths God will go to prove that. It’s also a pretty funny book that uses satire to get its message of grace across. I’m excited to “dive into” this story with others. Nobody Left Out: Waves of Grace will be released on May 17th, 2022!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
An unwelcome dinner guest.
A death-row criminal facing his final hours on earth.
What do all of these people have in common?
They all faced the messiness of life. Some made the mess themselves. Some were thrown headfirst into a mess through no fault of their own.
Then something changed. It wasn’t that they suddenly became unmessy. But they each came face to face with Jesus, and he invited them to be part of God’s story. He didn’t leave them out.
This 40-day devotional looks at eight encounters Jesus had with messy, broken people. In short, daily readings, you’ll explore each story and see how Jesus met each person in their mess.
The eight stories we’ll be walking through together are:
Jesus Meets The Lonely Thief
Jesus Meets The Know-It-All
Jesus Meets The Unwelcome Dinner Guest
Jesus Meets The Woman Who Was Exploited
Jesus Meets The Sick Woman & The Dead Girl
Jesus Meets The Blind Man With Perfect Vision
Jesus Sees The Invisible Widow
Jesus Meets The Honest Criminal
Whether you’ve been following Jesus your whole life or have never cracked open a Bible, Nobody Left Out: Jesus Meets the Messes will remind you that God’s love is big enough for everyone….
He doesn’t want anyone left out!
Nobody Left Out – Jesus Meets the Messes
Nobody Left Out – Jesus Meets the Messes: A 40-Day Devotional for Messy, Broken People (Like Me!) is an upbeat book that will help you get out of the mess you are in and also help you know yourself better. Michael Murray uses biblical stories and real-life experiences to talk about the complexities of life and how we can make our living experiences better. The author makes readers feel like they belong and is not judgmental. He understands that all his readers have their shortcomings.
Want to live a righteous life? Picking yourself up? Struggling with understanding the purpose of life? When you read Nobody Left Out, readers will feel the presence of other people that have gone through similar struggles. Reading this book will expand how readers think and improve their reasoning abilities. The author makes readers feel like they are a child of God and unique in everything they have. Michael Murray is not only a talented writer, he has the ability to give readers an encouraging outlook. This book is inspiring and eye-opening.
There are many lessons and messages shared in Nobody Left Out, patience, forgiveness, hope, faith, peace, tolerance, and much more. The biggest lesson, however, is about love. The author, through his text, preaches about the love of God and how God never leaves his people. By loving God and other humans, we get to live graciously and contentedly.
The eight stories the author shares in this book are all-powerful. There are, however, three stories that spoke to me on a different level. The story about Jesus meeting the unwelcome dinner guest, Jesus meeting the invisible widow, and Jesus meeting the honest criminal were the three stories that had me reflect on certain things about life.
Nobody Left Out – Jesus Meets the Messes: A 40-Day Devotional for Messy, Broken People (Like Me!) is recommended to any reader who wants to turn a new leaf, believers, and people who wish to strengthen their faith.
Pages: 126 | ASIN : B08MY583G8
LITERARY TITAN 