Stephen Brayton's Blog (166)

Reading List

summerreadinglist_istock_34481384_hires_983px One of the cool things about blogs is to ask a question at the end to entice comments. Well, I want to ask one at the beginning.

What are you reading right now?

Okay, don't be literal and say, “Dude, I'm reading your blog.”

I mean your reading list of books.

Are you like me and have several going at once?

Currently, I am reading:

- A book I'm recording for a friend. I read a chapter or two when I get the chance. I use Audacity to make the…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on April 8, 2016 at 9:30am — No Comments

Around The Globe With Jack soren

Harrys This week, I don't pick up my featured author, he gives me directions. I start out by transporting to Paris. Then I have to act as if I know how to effect a French accent to tell the cabbie an address (although I could be telling him I'd like to date his sister for all I know) - “sank roo doe noo”.

Fortunately, he doesn't drag me out of the vehicle and pummel me. Instead, in a few minutes I find…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on November 7, 2015 at 1:17pm — No Comments

Chapters - VII

m¶Ûm

They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just to relax.”

I'll just bet it was.

***

I used to work nights and had, for the most part, since 1999. So many times my 'days off' were nights. Many times, though my body realized it was 11pm and I was not at work so it told me to go to bed.

I enjoyed my time off but…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on October 23, 2015 at 1:30am — No Comments

Around The Globe With Michael J. Bowler

Spinner Meme (1)Near the middle of August, the weather turns hot. So, I'm particularly thankful to this week's featured author that he wants to have our interview while walking on some Colorado mountain trails. Cool air, scenery and green and rocks and maybe we'll catch site of some wildlife...as long as it's not a cougar. Or a bear. Or a wolf. Or a rattle snake. In fact, let's not encounter any wildlife and just talk about his latest book. And don't forget about the excerpt following the…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on August 14, 2015 at 12:00am — No Comments

Chapters - V

C05 “The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room.”

What did you expect the beach to be? Covered in tile?

***

Some of these complaints are more inane than others. I think my snarky comment, while made in jest, brings up a valid point. What did these folks expect when they went to the beach? A beach, one for tourists, is mostly sand. There are rocky…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on June 5, 2015 at 7:21pm — No Comments

A Chat With Lawrence Block

cover

lawrence_block_blog_11-221x300

So, this morning I was sitting around trying to think of what to post for this week's blog. How do you follow three wonderful weeks of author interviews?

Then someone knocks on my door and when I answer, there stands a man weaing a hat that shadows his face. He hands me a large…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on April 25, 2015 at 12:01am — No Comments

Chapters - IV

C04We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it be included in the price.”

I don't know about you, but even if the park DID provide swimsuits, I don't think I'd wear one. Even if it has been washed fifty times over, how many other bodies have worn it?

***

So what do you think about when you see the price for…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on February 14, 2015 at 12:16am — No Comments

Perseverance

Perseverance Many moons ago I attended a taekwondo tournament in the Minneapolis area. I was either a Second or a Third Degree Black Belt at the time and my competition consisted of some excellent martial artists. In the sparring competition, I faced a gentleman who, within a minute, executed a spin hook kick to my head. My hands were not up as far as they should have been and I was not fast enough to block in…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on January 31, 2015 at 12:27am — No Comments

Perseverance

Perseverance Many moons ago I attended a taekwondo tournament in the Minneapolis area. I was either a Second or a Third Degree Black Belt at the time and my competition consisted of some excellent martial artists. In the sparring competition, I faced a gentleman who, within a minute, executed a spin hook kick to my head. My hands were not up as far as they should have been and I was not fast enough to block in…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on January 31, 2015 at 12:26am — No Comments

Adult Truth #16

#16I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.”

I don't frequent bars. I'm not a beer drinker. Now, this isn't to say I haven't imbibed and if you ask the right friends, they'll tell you tales of times when I've, uh, well...let's just say I overindulged a bit. However, this brings up an…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on January 23, 2015 at 2:32pm — No Comments

Chapters - III

C03On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food.”

Well, then bring along some Fritos.

***

Last time I talked about my basic day-to-day schedule, but my eating schedule has also changed since the move. I've been trying (somewhat successfully) to be more aware of what I eat. Trying to cut back on the carbs and…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on January 16, 2015 at 4:48pm — 2 Comments

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolution pic I entitled this post 'New Year's Resolutions' for a simple reason: I don't make any. I used to but made progress on them for only about a week or so, then fell back into old habits. You know, the old standards: more exercise, watch the diet, quit smoking. Whoops, well, I can't claim I ever made a resolution to quit smoking since I never started.

I've been thinking about the end of…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on January 3, 2015 at 12:42am — No Comments

Discipline

Discipline I chose this accompanying picture specifically because I don't like pushups. Never have. I don't have the strength to do many pushups because of my right arm.

For those who aren't familiar with my story, let me share. When I was a baby I fell out of bed. I was ill and the infection settled in my ankle and elbow. The ER nurse told my parents that I was crying just to get attention. (Dad, to this…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on December 26, 2014 at 8:43pm — No Comments

Adult Truth #15

#15I think the freezer deserves a light as well.”

Why not? Illumination certainly would make finding that long forgotten frozen bagged hunk of round steak you placed in there eight months ago an easier task. This is one of those questions that nobody has taken the time to answer.

How does this truth relate to writing? Again, you'll have to…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on December 20, 2014 at 12:45am — No Comments

Food for Thought - Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

6075 Mills Civic Parkway

West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-333-5665 Fax: 515-309-3359

6800 Fleur Dr.

Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone: 515-287-0847 Fax: 515-287-0850

….........................................

Today we find Lori Campisi back home after a Friday night out after a…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on December 12, 2014 at 4:49pm — No Comments

Chapters - II

C02It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often need to buy things during 'siesta' time-this should be banned.”

I'm sure if the person had spoken to the mayor, he would have made a new law right then and there. Sheesh!

***

This brings up the topic of schedules. Since the move back in October, '13 to a bigger city (well, a suburb of a…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on December 5, 2014 at 8:46pm — No Comments

Determination

Determination This is along the lines of perseverance but I think where perseverance tends to lean toward trying and not giving up, determination comes before.

If you persevere for something, you are going to try and try, overcome whatever obstacle in your path. Tagging along with this can be a determination-al mindset that you are determined-dedicated-to reach your goal.

However, I view…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on November 29, 2014 at 12:33pm — No Comments

Toys

toys There are times that I don't enjoy being an adult. Sometimes I want to be a child again.

I get this feeling whenever I read a book with a child in it playing with a toy.

See, that's the key word. Toy. Sometimes, I don't like the word. It brings back an aching nostalgia. Two years away from being fifty, I miss my childhood toys. My bunny, play pistols, Tonka toys, trucks and cars, rocket ships,…

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Added by Stephen Brayton on November 22, 2014 at 12:50am — No Comments

Research Rejection, Part III

rejection 3 I posted the idea for this blog on Facebook wanting some comments and asking if other authors had experienced rejection. My thanks to David Schlosser and Bob Dunbar who responded with an example each. I can't make up this stuff so I'll let them tell their short stories in their own words:…



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Added by Stephen Brayton on October 25, 2014 at 3:59am — No Comments

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