Don Bruns's Blog
February 21, 2011
Books In Trouble
Borders Bookstores are closing. The boxstore that was started by the Borders family back in the seventies is closing 200 stores...one about half a mile from our house in Sarasota. I signed there two weeks ago. 
The manager told me she was profitable and they had assured her she was not on the chopping block. In this high-tech fast paced, electronic, wireless, instant information world that we live in, Borders didn't keep up. They didn't develop the Nook or Kindle. They were slow to get out of the CD business and the DVD sales as companies like Netflix absorbed that share of the market. They failed to adapt to the fact that readership of books is down by five percent in the last year, and the bookstore business is moving to accessories, games and gift items. It's a tough time for the industry. Publishers, retailers, writers, we're all questioning where it will go and how long it will take to get there. Every day brings a new surprise. All I'm sure of is...there will always be story tellers and there will always be an audience for those stories.
February 9, 2011
The Big Easy
I'm going to Mardi Gras. I've just finished the book that is due out this December, turned it in and now I have an idea for a new series that takes place in the gritty city of New Orleans.
Certainly there are other series set in this fanciful, dirty, romantic city, but not as many as you would think. And I haven't found anyone who is taking the approach I intend to take. I've visited the wonderful city and enjoyed it's decadent hospitality, but never with the intention of writing about it.
Now, I have to approach my interest in a new way. I have to capture everything I can. Photos, notes, interviews, images, characters and personalities all have to resonate. In five short days I want to absorb as much of the culture as I possibly can. I'll make friends with a bartender, a cop, a cab driver or someone who works the nightlife. I need to explore as many aspects as possible of this remarkable civilization.
I don't believe that any other city in this country behaves the way New Orleans does. And the fact that the cities' population has shrunk 27% since hurricane Katrina just plays into the mystic of this earthy town. While tourism drives the economy, there is an underbelly that squirms. I want to know both sides, the up and the down.
Reading a blog site about New Orleans, the blogger referred to a trip back in 2009. Getting mugged one evening, getting mugged a second time, and telling the third mugger that there was nothing left to mug. I can only hope I don't have to report on that aspect of thise shrinking metropolis.
Mardi Gras, the party city, the jazz and the Dixieland music...Bourbon Street, Voodoo and witchcraft, it all has a magical feel. Couple that with the crime, the corruption, the greed that drives any major city and I feel certain there's a series just waiting to come alive. Wish me luck!
February 2, 2011
The Human Magnet
It's almost embarrassing to admit this out loud, but I believe in the Secret. The Secret was that book that came out several years ago...then I think they made some sort of movie, and it's simply reaffirming that if you want something bad enough, it will be yours. If you wish for a parking spot right in front...you'll get it.
If you want to own item or attract a person, you can achieve that goal. If you want a better job, if you want to sell someone on a project you're working on, if you want to sell a book...it will happen. If you want it enough it can be yours.
The intensity of the desire has a lot to do with achieving your goal. I wanted a certain car one time and I attached a photo of that car to my refrigerator, my bathroom mirror and to the dash of the car I was driving. I really wanted that car. The photos motivated me to work a little harder, make a little more, and three months later I bought the car. I remember having a laser focus. I had to have that automobile.
I believe that energy attracts, or repels. The positive side of this is that if you put out enough magnetic energy, you will attract almost anything you want. But each person has to experiment with their own energy. I know people who can never make the commitment, no matter how much they think they want something. People who will never be able to give off the energy to make things happen. And then there are those people who actually are named for the energy they give off. "That guy is a chick magnet." "She's a money magnet." It's not by luck that they came by those names.
I challenge you to focus your energy. Become a magnet for something that's important in your life. See if it works for you. I have started businesses, sold books, bought property, surrounded myself with energetic, positive friends and business acquaintances, all by focusing on what was important to me.
I'm not a self help guru. I just think that we all need to concentrate a little more on getting the most out of life.
January 31, 2011
Cheers Old Friend
A friend of mine passed away last week. Bernie Blattner was 103. He was a neighbor and I'd have him over for drinks (he loved Scotch) or invite him to our parties. He was always the hit of any event.
He made a play for the ladies, had great stories, and knew more about you and your profession than you did.
So, I added him to the new book last night. Should have done it earlier...he read all my books. But he is now a survivor of the '35 hurricane in Islamorada, and he's full of stories about that tragic event. It was good to visit with him, even if it was in my warped imagination.
Take care Bernie! We love you.
January 21, 2011
How to Remove Gold From Coral....
I called the National Marine Sanctuary today to see how much coral might grow over gold bars at the bottom of the sea in seventy years. (research for December release of 2012). Could be as much as two or three feet.
Then I asked the man how you would remove the gold from the coral. He said we'd need a permit. I explained that the bad guys wouldn't apply for a permit, so how would you break up the coral?
He said "You can't do that. It would an ecological disaster."
I explained again that this was a work of fiction.
He once again said "You can't do that. It's illegal. You'd never get a permit.
I accepted his answer. But bad guys don't care about permits and they certainly don't care about ecology. Not when there might be forty million dollars buried under three feet of coral on the ocean floor. I think they might try dynamite.
Don't get mad...it's only a book and I haven't made that decision yet.
December 20, 2010
Playing with the Rock Bottom Remainders
My performance playing with the Rock Bottom Remainders at the Miami Book Fair 2010.
December 6, 2010
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Official Release Today!
If you follow me on Twitter (@DonBrunsbooks) or on Facebook, then you'll know that I'm not above bribes and if you buy my book, then I'll cook one meal for you and clean one room in your house.
You can also purchase the book directly from my publisher, Oceanview Publishing. For all of December, if you purchase Don't Sweat the Small Stuff directly from them, then you will also receive a free copy of Southbeach Shakedown. Click here to purchase Don't Sweat the Small Stuff directly from Oceanview.
If you are one that likes a little teaser before you dive into a new book, be sure to check out the first 10 chapters of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff on Scribd.com
And in other news, I was thrilled to learn that someone sent a card to one of Rush Limbaugh's English Sheepdog puppies and let him know about Amazing Garcia, the English Sheepdog in my book. Rush mentioned me, the book and Garcia on his show last Friday and there's some indication that he might do it again in the near future.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Released Today!
Just a quick note to let you all know that Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is officially available as of today at any seller of fine books. There's also a Kindle version available which can also be converted with Whispersync to be readable on other ebook readers.
December 1, 2010
And the Dog Takes Center Stage...
Here's the scoop on Garcia-
Author's Shaggy Dog Story the Stuff of Laughs, Lessons
Mystery goes to the dogs in award-winning novelist Don Bruns' latest novel
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Dec. 1, 2010 -- /PRNewswire/ -- When mystery novelist Don Bruns has an idea for a story, a character or a location, he is the first to admit that it never turns out quite like he pictured it. And his newest release, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Bruns' ninth mystery novel, is no exception.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/201... )
A December 6, 2010 hardcover and eBook release from Oceanview Publishing, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff started with Bruns' idea of setting the mystery against the backdrop of a traveling carnival where the rides come off the tracks and people are killed. His protagonists, stumbling, bumbling, and wildly hilarious James Lessor and Skip Moore, are hired to investigate the situation and nearly end up losing their lives.
Bruns started with the idea for the carnival, which grew when he passed a farmer's field one day where wandered a sundry assortment of donkeys, goats, pigs and other unusual animals. This strange cast of animal characters gave Don the idea to add a petting zoo to the carnival.
When he shared his idea with his longtime publicist, she suggested (or rather, begged) that Don make her ten-and-a-half-year-old, blind, 125-pound, Old English Sheepdog, Garcia, a character in the petting zoo. So Bruns added Garcia to the mix, and found that the old dog could learn new tricks.
In writing Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Bruns quickly realized that Garcia was going to be more than a bit player in his novel. In the end, Garcia literally steals the show and becomes a major force in the story.
When his publicist read the first draft, she immediately decided that the real Garcia needed somehow to be featured in all his shaggy glory and proudly had Garcia photo-shopped into Bruns' author photo.
Admittedly dog-less due to a hectic travel and book signing schedule, Bruns says he enjoys having honorary ownership of Garcia—even if only in a book. In appreciation to Bruns for his newfound fame, Garcia has taken to Twitter to share news about his book and his views on life as Garcia. Given his lack of opposable thumbs, Garcia has enlisted the aid of some friends to help with the typing. Follow him on Twitter @AmazingGarcia.
Bruns, who has auctioned off character names to raise money for charities in the past, says this shaggy dog story has served as an important lesson. According to Bruns, "Fiction writers need to remember that you never know where a story will lead—and you never know where the ideas will come from. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is a result of an idea, driving by a farm, and an off-the-wall suggestion from my publicist."
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is dedicated to Bruns' friends, The Smothers Brothers. Bruns commented, "I have always been inspired by their humor, their sense of timing and the joy they brought so many people over the years." When Bruns recently presented Tommy Smothers with his copy of the book, Smothers glanced at the author photo, then at Bruns. His comment? "Well, at least the dog is good looking."
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
And to my furry friend....
My newest book will officially be released this coming Monday, December 6 (just in time for the holidays!) One of the characters in my book is Garcia, an English Sheepdog (who is actually the dog for my publicist). He not only become a key character in my latest book, he's now getting as much publicity as my book!
Here's the scoop on Garcia- Author's Shaggy Dog Story the Stuff of Laughs, Lessons Mystery goes to the dogs in award-winning novelist Don Bruns' latest novel LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Dec. 1, 2010 -- /PRNewswire/ -- When mystery novelist Don Bruns has an idea for a story, a character or a location, he is the first to admit that it never turns out quite like he pictured it. And his newest release, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Bruns' ninth mystery novel, is no exception. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/201012... ) A December 6, 2010 hardcover and eBook release from Oceanview Publishing, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff started with Bruns' idea of setting the mystery against the backdrop of a traveling carnival where the rides come off the tracks and people are killed. His protagonists, stumbling, bumbling, and wildly hilarious James Lessor and Skip Moore, are hired to investigate the situation and nearly end up losing their lives. Bruns started with the idea for the carnival, which grew when he passed a farmer's field one day where wandered a sundry assortment of donkeys, goats, pigs and other unusual animals. This strange cast of animal characters gave Don the idea to add a petting zoo to the carnival. When he shared his idea with his longtime publicist, she suggested (or rather, begged) that Don make her ten-and-a-half-year-old, blind, 125-pound, Old English Sheepdog, Garcia, a character in the petting zoo. So Bruns added Garcia to the mix, and found that the old dog could learn new tricks. In writing Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Bruns quickly realized that Garcia was going to be more than a bit player in his novel. In the end, Garcia literally steals the show and becomes a major force in the story. When his publicist read the first draft, she immediately decided that the real Garcia needed somehow to be featured in all his shaggy glory and proudly had Garcia photo-shopped into Bruns' author photo. Admittedly dog-less due to a hectic travel and book signing schedule, Bruns says he enjoys having honorary ownership of Garcia—even if only in a book. In appreciation to Bruns for his newfound fame, Garcia has taken to Twitter to share news about his book and his views on life as Garcia. Given his lack of opposable thumbs, Garcia has enlisted the aid of some friends to help with the typing. Follow him on Twitter @AmazingGarcia. Bruns, who has auctioned off character names to raise money for charities in the past, says this shaggy dog story has served as an important lesson. According to Bruns, "Fiction writers need to remember that you never know where a story will lead—and you never know where the ideas will come from. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is a result of an idea, driving by a farm, and an off-the-wall suggestion from my publicist." Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is dedicated to Bruns' friends, The Smothers Brothers. Bruns commented, "I have always been inspired by their humor, their sense of timing and the joy they brought so many people over the years." When Bruns recently presented Tommy Smothers with his copy of the book, Smothers glanced at the author photo, then at Bruns. His comment? "Well, at least the dog is good looking."
