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Friday, December 4, 2015 9 comments

Guest-Posting with SP Bowers & Giveaway Update

Aloha,

I'm over with S.P. Bowers today talking about my old experiences regarding writing and being a stay-at-home dad.

One thing before you go...
There's only ten days before the free REVIVAL giveaway closes -- and I've updated it -- in a good way:)
To add more fun, the Rafflecopter entry form is even simpler.
To enter and win one of the prizes below, just *click to enter,* add an email address, and That. Is. It.
No tweeting, smoke signaling, Facebooking or anything else.
The prizes include:

·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)


·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo


·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)


·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture
 
 
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 61 comments

IWSG - My book is published... What Now? #Yikes

Aloha,
It’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group today, the brainchild (well hang on, it’s been going on so long, shouldn’t it be the “brainteen” by now?) of his Royal Typewriterness, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Esq.


It’s the end of the year, and for many reasons—good and dreadful—I won’t forget 2015 easily. (It’s also true that the older I get, the quicker the years go by! What’s up with that??)

My insecurities this month are simple: My first book, REVIVAL, is published; the book tour is done… so now… what do I do next? Which direction do I go?

To answer this, in part, I’m looking forward to finishing at least two half-completed WIPs in 2016, and we shall see what happens… when that happens.

I’m co-hosting today with Sandra Hoover, Doreen McGettigan, Megan Morgan, and Melodie Campbell!, so see you out there :)

Merry Christmas to one and all, and here’s to a wonderful, Writerly New Year!
Monday, November 30, 2015 11 comments

REVIVAL Book Tour: FINAL DAY - What's Next?

Aloha,
Today is the END of the Book Tour, and there's less than TWO weeks before the free REVIVAL giveaway closes!
The amazing prizes include:

·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)

·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo

·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)

·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the final host of the tour is...
Deanie H. Dunne



 
REVIVAL is now available at Pen-L Publishing, B&N.com and Amazon, with more booksellers to come.
 
THANK you, EVERYONE who stopped by, who commented and who visited each host!

Your support, friendship and encouragement means so very much to me.



Friday, November 27, 2015 4 comments

REVIVAL Tour: Day 18 - How did I Convince Donald?

Aloha,
There's less than TWO weeks before the free REVIVAL giveaway closes! The prizes include:

·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)

·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo

·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)

·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 TODAY’S HOST
Nicole Singer is curious about how I connected with Donald in the first place.

 
REVIVAL is now available at Pen-L Publishing, B&N.com and Amazon, with more booksellers to come.
 

On Monday, the tour ends and the final host will be...
Deanie H. Dunne


Thursday, November 26, 2015 14 comments

What Thanksgiving Means to This Immigrant...

Aloha,

As a naturalized American citizen, I wanted to explain what Thanksgiving means to me, but as I began to write, I wondered... surely I've already shared this story?

I researched through the last four Thanksgiving posts, and yep, there it was... (so, the post you find below was originally published 11.21.11. (with several updates.)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours (and happy Thursday to everyone else:)

###

Aloha,

I wasn't born in America; I just got here as fast as I could.

(I know it’s a cheesy line, but it’s the holidays!)

For my first five Thanksgivings, ('96 to '00) I didn’t care about the holiday, so I volunteered to work at my restaurant, allowing other managers some quality time with their family.

Then, all of a sudden, I found myself working for a place that was closed for Thanksgiving.

And, I didn't know what to do with myself.

(I was new to California and had no friends or family close by.)

A running buddy of mine, also from Ireland, found out my situation while at a dinner party the night before Thanksgiving.

"Hang on a second," says Brian.

He grabs his phone, makes a quick call, and passes the phone to me.

"It's for you."

"What...?"

"Hello, Mark? Yes, this is Brian's mother, Pauline. Brian tells me you've nowhere to go for Thanksgiving?"

"No, ma'am..."


"Right you are, then. Dinner is served at 3 p.m., and just bring yourself."
 
CLICK!

"Your mother just hung up on me," I said to Brian, who was smiling like that Cheshire Cat.

"That's me ma."

Needless to say, I had an absolutely wonderful time at their house, where they made me feel like one of the family. And it was inside that small, loving home that I finally "got" the meaning of Thanksgiving.

My life has changed, but, I'll never forget that first Thanksgiving, and whenever I host in the future, I'll do my best to find a "homeless" friend and inviting them to join me. It doesn’t cost anything, and I believe in the principle of paying it forward.

(Footnote... a month after I first met Pauline and her family, she was back on the phone with me on Christmas Eve.)

I was getting ready to have a quiet Christmas alone. Pauline had other ideas...

No prizes for where I was at 3 p.m. Christmas Day!

What's your top memory of Thanksgiving, and if you could invite one extra person (living or deceased) to the table who would it be?
 

Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters

(My invitation would go to the late U.S. Army Major Dick Winters, former CO of Easy Company – of “Band of Brothers” fame.)

 
 
 
 
 
 








 
 
Wednesday, November 25, 2015 4 comments

REVIVAL Tour: Day 17 - Recognizing Sensitive Topics

Aloha,
The REVIVAL Rafflecopter giveaway is closing soon... don't miss these:

·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)

·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo
·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)
·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
TODAY’S HOST
Deniz Bevan is curious about memoirs and how to handle sensitive subjects.

 
REVIVAL is now available at Pen-L Publishing, B&N.com and Amazon, with more booksellers to come.
 

UPCOMING HOSTS
I'll be posting tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 7 comments

REVIVAL Tour: Day 16 - On Second Chances

Aloha,
Have you entered the Rafflecopter to hear Donald sing live? Enter our unique giveaway:

(Completing Rafflecopter tasks earns multiple entries in the random drawing in early December.)
·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)
·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo
·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)
·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
TODAY’S HOST
I'm heading to Mexico today where Father Dragon, Al Diaz, wants to know second chances and following your calling in life.

BLURB
From Juilliard to jumper cables; from wasting all the talent in the world to America’s Got Talent, REVIVAL—The Donald Braswell Story is an inspirational memoir about the “Texas Tenor” who lost his voice in a random accident, but finds his calling through faith—and a musical miracle.
 AVAILABILITY:
REVIVAL is now available at Pen-L Publishing, B&N.com and Amazon, with more booksellers to come.
 

UPCOMING HOSTS
Deniz Bevan is curious about memoirs and how to handle sensitive subjects.

Monday, November 23, 2015 5 comments

REVIVAL Book Tour: Day 15 - Five Tips, For Interviews

Aloha,
Interested in a chance to hear Donald sing live? Enter our unique giveaway:
(Completing Rafflecopter tasks earns multiple entries in the random drawing in early December.)
·         GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)
·         1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo
·         2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)
·         5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CD
·         8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
TODAY’S HOST
I'm at Carrie Butler's blog today.
(Carrie wants five tips on interviewing someone…)

BLURB
From Juilliard to jumper cables; from wasting all the talent in the world to America’s Got Talent, REVIVAL—The Donald Braswell Story is an inspirational memoir about the “Texas Tenor” who lost his voice in a random accident, but finds his calling through faith—and a musical miracle.
 AVAILABILITY:
REVIVAL is now available at Pen-L Publishing, B&N.com and Amazon, with more booksellers to come.

UPCOMING HOSTS
Tomorrow, we’re heading to Mexico, where Father Dragon, Al Diaz, wants to know about the emotions involved in writing a memoir.

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