Sneak Peek at "Simply Bret"

Hey, Y'all. Here is a sneak preview of what to expect from Simply Bret, in which over 30 copies have been sold. I hope you like it.

Susan Ariel Gosinheimer was her name; she stood 5’8” with long, flowing honey blonde hair and gorgeous crystal blue eyes. She was born and raised in New York City, but much like me, she left her hometown and accepted admission to South Carolina University. When she debuted as a freshman, I was entering my junior year, and Jack had already graduated. To this very day, Susan and I laugh about the first day we met on the South Cacka-Lacky campus—in more ways than one, mind you.

I had to attend a mandatory assembly after my Statistics class, and I was in such a rush not to be late that I was running. Unfortunately I ran too fast and I tripped. Of all the things to break my fall, it had to have been a swinging door. Apparently, Susie (as she is fondly called) opened the door, where it swung outward, and I crashed right into it. The door swung back right into Susie, knocking her into a wall. Ever the altruistic gentleman, I helped the young lady up and asked her if she was okay, to which she responded, “Oh, I’m fine, considering this is the story of my life. I’m always walking into walls and things.”

Susie had a sense of humor, and I liked it.

Well, after the impromptu head-on meeting, we got to know each other on a first name basis. I’ll never forget her cute intro: “Nice to meet you, Bret. I’m Susie Gosinheimer—well, actually, it’s Susan, but you can call me Susie.”

I noticed the look in her eyes as she said that. I thought that she was still a little dazed from colliding with the door and the wall. I never expected her to fall for me like she did. Admittedly, I thought that Susie was “the bee’s knees” when I first laid eyes on her, but I remembered what my brother Bob taught me— to play it cool when it comes to the ladies.

There was a big problem, though—at least in Susie’s mind, anyway. While Susie and I were talking and getting to know each other, Mary Ann had called my name out rather loudly, and I naturally responded; after all, we were friends. Mary Ann told me how I made her day by showing up at this particular assembly on account of she was giving a speech on behalf of her sorority. “I’m a little nervous, though,” Mary Ann stated, to which I caught her by the hand and told her that it’s natural to be nervous, but she would still do a great job. Mary Ann thanked me for the encouraging words and kissed me on the cheek, then went on her way. Upon seeing this, Susie looked at me and said, “Well, it was nice talking to you. I guess I’d better get going.” I thought nothing of it and said, “Okey-Dokey.”

This is only a sneak preview. You can draw your own conclusions, but only I know how this story ends. Take care.

"Simply Bret" Spotlight: Nicole Yvonne Douglas

In today's blog, I would like to put the spotlight on one of the characters of my upcoming book, Nicole Yvonne Douglas.

Nicole is the youngest child and youngest daughter of Bret and Susan Douglas. Born in Culver City, California, Nikki (as she is often called) is known as the bubbly, energetic firecracker. Bret nicknamed her "Firefly" on account of she illuminated the room when she was born. Nikki is a recent graduate of Tennessee State University, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Education. Much like her great-grandfather, her grandmother, and her father, Nikki's dream is to be a teacher. She has yet to decide if she wants to teach elementary or high school, but she knows that she wants to teach... actually, she would like nothing more than to be her dad's successor and teach Kindergarten-- a passing of the torch, if you will! Nikki is known to show great leadership skills, despite being the youngest, and she does not have a problem with sharing the spotlight, much less stepping out completely in order for someone else to have their moment in the sun. Nikki has also been blessed with four best friends that she has known since Kindergarten-- Anna-Jane Overton, Barbara Louise Zuckerman, Diane Yvette Porterson, and Andrea Michelle Cornette. Together this cute quintet is known as the Chickadees. They received this cute little nickname from their former Kindergarten teacher, the late Clark Kenneth Jones. Nikki admittedly is a big kid at heart; she considers it a compliment when someone refers to her as a "little girl," given the fact that she is 5'1" and she has the sweetest little voice.

NIKKI'S PERSONALITY PROFILE

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
When the Chickadees surprised me at my graduation from TSU.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
In high school, I referred to my Algebra teacher as Uncle Dave for some reason.

FAVORITE ACTOR:
Bronson Pinchot (Balki from "Perfect Strangers")

FAVORITE ACTRESS:
Tempestt Bledsoe

FAVORITE SINGER:
Babyface

FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Perfect Strangers

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Transformers

FAVORITE ATHLETE:
Derek Fisher

FAVORITE CARTOON:
Darkwing Duck

FAVORITE COLOR:
Purple

FAVORITE FOOD:
Chili Cheese Dogs and Chili Cheese Fries

FAVORITE ICE CREAM:
Orange Sherbet

SECRET TALENT:
I can play the piano.

IN MY FREE TIME, I LIKE TO:
Chill out with my fellow Chickadees.

IF I COULD’VE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY:
I would be at least 5’5”.

MY ROLE MODEL(S) GROWING UP:
My 1st, 4th, and 8th Grade teachers, respectively.

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME:
Life is a theatre— choose your audience carefully.

SOMEONE WHO SHARES MY BIRTHDAY:
David Schwimmer and Sammy Sosa.

MY DREAM/GOAL IN LIFE IS TO:
Be my dad’s successor after he retires from teaching.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME:
Bubbly, Optimistic, and Ambitious

MY BEST FRIEND (ACE-BOOM-KOOM):
Anna-Jane, Barbara, Diane, & Andrea— the Chickadees, if you will!

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
Atlanta and Minneapolis.

IF I HAD ONE WISH:
I would be a superhero— a gal can dream, can’t she? LOL.

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME:
Everyone still thinks that I’m a kid on account of my height and voice. In addition to that, I am a soon-to-be fourth generation teacher in my family.

There you have it, folks-- Miss Nicole Yvonne Douglas.

Celebrating Tea & Dallin

With the celebration of Simply Bret, I must acknowledge two inspirational people behind the scenes-- Cecil & Rosie Quinn, otherwise known to my family and friends as Aunt Tea and Uncle Dallin'.

Most of you know that Simply Bret is dedicated to their loving memory. I've talked about them so much that some of you who never met them act as though you have met them. They were so influential to me that only after their transition to Glory, I was informed that they were my godparents; now they are my guardian angels, smiling down on me from Heaven. Even now, I cannot help but to think about how far I've come in this journey. It seemed like yesterday I was just writing this book, and here it is, March 2, 2010, and my dream has finally come true. You would think that I would be glad-- and I am-- but I must admit: if I'm not reaching for the phone, I'm shedding some tears, because Aunt Tea and Uncle Cecil cross my mind. I know that they're looking down from Heaven, just a-smilin' away, as happy for me as you all are. At the same time, though, I still miss their physical presence. I miss hearing their voice. I miss hearing Uncle Cecil shout out: "Hot Damn!" everytime something good happens to me. I miss hearing Aunt Tea say in her sweet, loving voice: "I'm so proud of you, Baby!"

Call me selfish, but this is how I feel. I know that I'll see them again in Glory, but I just miss them so much. I know that no one can ever take the place of Aunt Tea and Uncle Cecil, but even now, I can still hear their voices so clearly, as though they never left me.

Rest assured, at my first book signing, I will look up to the heavens and say: Aunt Tea & Uncle Cecil-- this is for y'all!