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A 2014 Mom’s Choice Gold Award winning author and illustrator, C.L. Murphy (Cathy) has been doodling her way through life since she won a school wide poster contest in the third grade.

Working as an artist in residence, creating cartoons and painting murals with the children at local elementary schools, C.L. filed away her picture book ideas away for years. Fortunately for us and the children we love, the reality of “empty nest syndrome” sunk in: C.L. brought her dreams to fruition in the character, Lovable Lobo.

THE ADVENTURES OF LOVABLE LOBO series revolves around the character Lovable Lobo, based on something very dear to Cathy’s heart. She raised a real wolf for over 14 years and says, “the wolf was a magnificent beast that seemed unaware of how the world perceived him, much like the character in the series.”

While this pawsitively awesome author and illustrator makes creating children’s literature seem easy, notice how she calls herself “a big scaredy cat” in her 5Cs (below).

Seems that along with her family, C.L.’s characters give her a healthy dose of courage; in Lobo Goes to the Galapagos her little wolf faces some fears and witnesses the joy that comes from helping others in this “birds of a different feather DO flock together” tale.

Fearless Females 5Cs with C.L. Murphy

“Life is not a dress rehearsal! Seize the short time you have on earth and make a difference.”

1. What’s the most courageous decision you’ve made?

It took courage for me to leave the comfort of my home on the Big Island and travel east to Oregon. I, along with my two young sons and our dog, did just that in order to enroll my youngest in kindergarten, on the mainland. Our house had not sold in Hawaii, and I was ready to relocate, even if it meant that my husband had to stay behind to finish up a project. We stayed in a rented motorhome on our piece of rural property, whilst I readied the unfinished garage’s apartment to inhabit. That was the plan, anyway.

I found myself overwhelmed. Almost immediately, I had to contend with a neighbor judge’s bullying behavior, a foul water supply, an overabundance of rattlesnakes, an unimproved access road which led to stuck-in-the-mud vehicles and a multitude of flat tires. The list of troubles went on and on. If anything was going to go wrong it usually did.

I endured the pioneer experience and can now laugh at the antics that ensued. It would seriously make a great comedy. Sort of A Comedy of Errors meets The Oregon Trail type of story. I look back on those months fondly and realize how discovering one’s resiliency can truly be empowering.

2. What choices are most important to you?

It’s important to be truthful, to be true to yourself, to give 110 %, to stay positive and to be kind. I choose to exercise daily and eat a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight.

3. What fears have you conquered?

My can do approach to life helps me get past my fears. Truth be told, I’m a big scaredy cat.

4. What conversation made the most impact on you?

The conversations that are impacting my brain currently are the ones the characters in my book series are having amongst themselves. I’m listening to those little voices. They are a chatty bunch.

5. What do you want women to get clear about?

Life is not a dress rehearsal! Seize the short time you have on earth and make a difference. I want my legacy to be: She Inspired. I’m working on it!

Cheers to C.L. Murphy for sharing her PAWsitively courageous, can-do story with us today. Find out more about her series, “ The Adventures of Lovable Lobo , and guaranteed, you’ll find Cathy 110% positive when you interact with her on social media.

Fearless Females Forum is a monthly showcase for inspiring women who found the courage to meet their calling, solve a problem, or take a road less travelled.

Are you a Fearless Female ready to have the spotlight shine on you? Calling All Fearless Females tells you how to share your story.

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