Stephen Lawrence Brayton's Blog (200)

I love authors, I really do. However a very few of them...well, let me explain

I'm sitting in front of my computer this morning wondering what topic I wanted to discuss. Should I throw up another Adult Truth? Or another taekwondo life theme? How about I introduce my new series of blogs on Tourist Complaints and how they relate to my life. Or maybe even the new series of restaurant reviews featuring some of my books' characters.

Suddenly, (and I know an…

So, I have to watch it on the roads this morning because (and this will be no surprise to many readers) it snowed again! Blech! This is why it took me so long to get home and be able to hop in the transporter to pick up this week's featured author. Where are off to? Anywhere there isn't snow, which omits most of the continental United States.

Ms. Ransdell manipulates the…

One of the early blogs I wrote (on another blog site) discussed a certain college (that shall remain nameless) who refused my offer of an author appearance. One of the reasons mentioned in the person's email was the fact that my first two books were eBooks and the quote was: “Ebooks don't count”. This was a statement saying that eBooks weren't quality material. I suppose as…

I grew up in a small town and think it was the best option for schooling and a friendly, safe community.

I still live in a small town but it’s…

(Written in September before the move to Carlisle)

Driving to work one night I kept scanning the radio stations trying to find something worthwhile. The AM side of my radio has gone kaput so I don't get to listen to the talk shows like I used to. The one FM station has sports talk during the drive so I usually end up listening to music. Taking Care Of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive…

This week, my featured author said, “We're going on a cruise.”

I was excited. A cruise. The Bahamas, Hawaii, Fiji. Warm sunshine, sandy beaches...

“No, we're going to travel the Bosporus,” she said.

“But I want to go to Tahiti. Come on, you'll love it.”

However, as with some of the more insistent authors I interview, in the end, I don't get a say in…

As the frigid temps continue to winterize Iowa, I'm so glad for this week's featured author who gave me directions for the transporter and soon we're basking in the warm sunshine of Tisa Barefoot Bar in American Samoa. Leaves of palm trees moving lazily in the warm breeze, white sand and a spectacular view of the blue Pacific. She says this place makes the best pina coladas and I must…

“Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.”

And I don't even have a DVD collection. I have VCR tapes. I also have movies I download. Yes, folks, I admit, I download movies from the Internet. Illegal, you say? Let's not get into that particular issue. And let's totally stay away from my downloading television shows, about…

(This was written a few months back. I've since moved on and hope I can avoid this kind of experience in the future)

I know. Everybody has bad days but don't you feel some people have more than their fair share? You may even think this about yourself.

As writers, bad days can turn into opportunities for story content. So, feel free to use any of my experiences in one of your…

Well, I have to admit that winter has arrived. It snowed last night and when I went out for dinner the roads were slickery...is that a word? Anyway blech! to winter. I'm ready for spring.

That's why I was so happy to get away from the cold Midwest with this week's featured author. I picked her up in my transporter, set the controls and soon we're enjoying an evening in…

After a cool week and a dusting of snow (blech!) this weekend is back up into the high 50s. This morning, however, I'm off to pick up this week's featured author who say he has the perfect spot for our interview. Soon we're relaxing in a clearing on Mt. Shasta in California. The sky is blue and a snow-capped peak rises above…

A cold morning in November as I enter the transporter and set the controls to pick up this week's featured author. When I ask her where shall we go to conduct the interview leans in close and whispers, "It's a secret." Then she hip check me out of the way. Before I can regain my balance and see what location she's input, we're there...somewhere.

I've explored the locale…

Bless me soul and kiss the Blarney Stone, October is oughtta here and we wish for some Irish luck for November. Unfortunately, no shamrocks, since we're heading into the deep fall season but we can still enjoy some Irish coffee. Well, you enjoy the coffee, I'll enjoy the Irish.

Why all the Eire talk? Well when I picked up this week's featured author, he directed me to a…

It's a cold October day here in Iowa, but I'm heading south, specifically Georgia, more specifically Savannah, even more specifically, just outside Savannah, with this week's featured author. All I said to him was I wanted warmth, and music and good food.

Soon, we're enjoying reggae music, waves on the beach, the black and white Tybee lighthouse in the distance. We're…

As October rolls on...wait just a second. Today is October 11. You fans know someone celebrating a birthday today. Not that I'm looking for gobs of well wishes (but any presents you want to send will be accepted), but today, yours truly is 47.…

It's October and I'm holding on to as many warm days as possible. A little rain yesterday and hot temps expected today. However, that's all back in Iowa. Where am I today? A fine eatery in an ancient city on the Sea of Galilee. The water is beautiful with fishing boats bobbing and though modernity has changed things throughout the centuries, you still get a sense, just…

Yes, it's back! Once again, I get to dust off the transporter's controls and visit with another series of authors to discuss writing, books, and a few surprises along the way.

This week I went to pick up Elise Warner and…

This week's post will be short. Next week I'll begin another series of Around the Globe with... author interviews. I have a few lined up and more who have yet to return their questionnaires.

However, I wanted to know if you think I should post a letter I wrote. Let me explain. Last week I called for supporters and fans and friends to send in emails to Taekwondo Times magazine urging them to…

Let me start at the beginning which is as good of a place to start as any. Last year, around October or November I was in the midst of promotion for my third book, Alpha, as well as continuing promotion on the first two books. Part of my strategy was to contact different companies and businesses related to fitness and martial arts. So I came to look online for various martial arts related magazines.…

“All doors open to courtesy.” - Thomas Fuller

I remember a girl from about ten years ago. She was a student who attended my taekwondo class for approximately six months, maybe less. I know she earned her yellow belt before she dropped out of sight, moved back to Missouri or Kansas, or moved on to somewhere else.

I won't get in to the whole goofy story about her. I will say that I took…