Tawania Murdock has been writing since the age of ten.

Her love for writing stems from her love of reading. As a child, she enjoyed reading books by popular authors like Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly. She also found the poetry of Shel Silverstein to be quite entertaining. It wasn’t until she became older that she started to see books that drew her in with their diversity by authors like Sista Souja, Terry McMillan, and Mary Monroe. Poets who wrote about love, racism, and equality were not far behind with pieces she continues to recite from May Angelou, Zora Neale Hurston, and Langston Hughes.

The writing was something she did for her own personal entertainment, and as she became older, she shared her work with family and friends. Becoming an author never seemed attainable as a career which is why she studied education. Tawania wanted to encourage children to read and write and use that knowledge as tools to build character, escape trauma, laugh, and create a world of their own.

Tawania continues to write with the hope that some young child is enjoying the adventures her books offer. She has also produced journals and activity books to encourage self-esteem and a positive self-image. There is so much pressure on young children to be everything they are not ready to be. She wants children to enjoy being children and feel good about who they are.

Over the years, Tawania’s husband, Frankie Murdock, illustrated her earlier books. Another artist in the family, her daughter Tyra illustrates all of her current work. Her eldest, Tamara, edits all the Tori Adventure books, and of course, Tori is the inspiration for those books.

Why the Blue Desk?

All of Tawania’s published stories are written on her blue desk, which she has had for several years. It is not the prettiest desk, but it does the job, and she loves it.

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Reviews by some of Tawania’s most loyal fans.