THE WRITINGS OF STEPHEN JOHN MORAN
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PIC of the DAY- Beagle at the Park #MondayBlogs

3/31/2014

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THE FLYING BEAGLE!


This is Liam the Dog, the only beagle I've ever met to enthusiastically play fetch. He is an avid eater and everything is a game. My wife snaps endless photos, many of them postcard amazing like this one. Liam is a natural born actor as seen here, the image taken with iPhone. Imagine if my wife had a 'real' camera. 


Til next time, Liam will be eating everything in sight. 
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Top Ten Writers of All-Time 

3/31/2014

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This is my list of the greatest Authors to ever live. These are the ones that influenced me the most. Comment, flame, argue...counter with your own list. 


The Top Ten Authors of All-Time


1 - Fyodor Dostoevsky
2 - William Shakespeare
3 - Leo Tolstoy 
4 - William Faulkner
5 - Jane Austen
6 - Vladimir Nabakov
7 - Charles Dickens
8 - Walt Whitman
9 - Mark Twain
10 - Franz Kafka
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Introducing: Ella's Journal

3/30/2014

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I'm debuting a new feature, which will be hosted on it's own page -- 


Ella's Journal will be bonus content to the novels--  the entries referenced in the text on the trip to Las Vegas will come to life. After all the 'missing' entries are posted, I will collect an edited version into an e-book that will be available for download at Amazon. 


Without further adieu, I present 


ELLA'S JOURNAL
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Last Will and Testament of Bernadette Cynthia Healy  - EPISODE TWO @duchessshire

3/30/2014

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            Last Will and Testament of Bernadette Cynthia Healy  


                                                                            Episode Two

             I wake up the following morning and stretch my aching body. I had a fitful night's sleep, memories of ages past fluttering behind my eyelids, and for the first time in years I wondered why Jonathon isn't in my bed. I haven't yet informed my children of the letter. Polly and Jack had been horrified to learn of their father's affair, though I had tried my best to keep it a secret from them. But it was one of the worst kept secrets of my generation. Everyone within our social circle, and even those who Jonathon had worked with, had the pleasure of witnessing our raucous arguments because of that woman.  


             Polly could never understand why I stayed with Jonathon. She'd adored her father and that illusion was shattered when she found out about the affair. Many times she'd tried to convince me to leave her father, but I found myself defending the man who'd broken my heart. Deep down, I knew that Jonathon still loved me and we were stronger than anything that woman could try and do to come between us. 


             Jack on the other hand just played ignorant. Even when Jonathon went missing for weekends at a time, he would talk about how hard his father was working, and how he was an inspiration. If I remember correctly, Polly would have been twenty one when she found out about the affair, though it had already been going on for sixteen years at that point. We tried to hide it from Jack for as long as possible, but he eventually found out a two years later, when he was twenty. He never questioned my decision to stay with Jonathon, which I greatly appreciated. I suppose it's one of the reasons why his own marriage to Melissa is so strong.  


            Pulling myself out of bed, I grab my dressing gown and saunter down the stairs to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. The morning sunshine is soft, promising a warm spring day, and I look forward to the solitude of my work. I didn't hear from Polly yesterday, so I assume she'll call me before she leaves for work. I debate whether or not to mention the letter and will from Bernadette Cynthia Healy. Her name still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, even after all these years.  


             The phone rings. I smile at the thought of knowing my daughter so well. I answer the phone. 


             'Morning Polly.' 
             'Morning mum, how's things?' 


             I pause, do I tell her? 'Everything is great thank you. The usual work coming through...' 


             'When are you going to retire mum?' I hear Polly chuckle at the question. It's a conversation we've had before.  


             'Well I'm glad I haven't retired just yet, because something different did come through the post yesterday,' I take the plunge. 
             'Oh?' I can tell Polly is interested. It isn't like me to be so vague, I'm normally blunt and to the point, but I don't know how to bring up a woman we've not talked about in over a decade.  
             'It's another will - '. 
             'Oh no. Who's died now?' Polly interrupts. 
             'Someone I'm quite glad to see the back of,' I hear her gasp on the other end of the line, 'but she's still a thorn in my side despite being six feet under.' I can almost hear the cogs click into place.  
             'That woman?' Polly had never called her by her name, 'You mean she's finally kicked the bucket? Good riddance.' 
I wait. 
             'But why do you have her will? Did she want to leave you something?' 
             'It's a little complicated, but yes, it seems she's left everything to me.' 
             'Good Lord mum. Like what? I bet dad had paid for most of it anyway, and maybe this is her way of showing regret.' 


             I laugh at my daughter's optimistic naivety, 'Something like that. But of course there's a catch.' I can hear my grandchildren calling out to their mother in the background.  
             'I'm sorry mum, I really have to go otherwise Clare and Sonia will be late for school. They send you their love. I can give you a call tonight if you want and maybe come over this weekend? Have you told Jack yet?' 
             'No not yet. This weekend sounds wonderful. Give my love to the girls. Bye darling.' I put the phone down before Polly has the chance to say goodbye, knowing her two girls are quite the handful.  


             I feel better having shared the Pandora's box, though I hope it doesn't have an effect on Polly's day.  


             I finish my cup of tea and stare out of the window at the garden. It is in need of some attention and I make a mental note to get in touch with Ambrose, the gardener, to come tomorrow and start the preparation for spring. We had a mild winter and the flowers and trees are already beginning to blossom.  


             Walking into the study I remember the day my gorgeous daughter was born. It was 1951 and Jonathon and I had been married for three years. She was born in November, one of the worst winters I could ever remember at the time. My parents had booked a room in a private hospital for the due date, but Polly being Polly had no intention on arriving when expected. She was nearly two weeks early. I was home alone as Jonathon was working late. Mrs MacIver, our housemaid, heard my cries for help as the first contractions made themselves known and she managed to call her own mother, who was a midwife, to the house.  


             Both women have now left this world, but I have never been so grateful to anyone in my life for delivering my baby safely. We were so lucky that there were no complications; Polly just wanted the world to know she had arrived. I'd never seen Jonathon so shocked as that night when he arrived home, cursing the snow, and saw me sitting in the armchair next to the fire holding our baby. His face split into the most amazing smile I have ever seen. He just stared at the two of us in disbelief, the snow melting on his coat. It was Mrs MacIver who managed to convince him to hold his daughter for the first time, and it was at that moment I knew what true love looked like.
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Introducing -- The Graveyard's Just a Place to Dance -- by B. E. Scully @scullybe

3/30/2014

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I'd like to introduce my readers to a favorite of mine - B. E. Scully. Her newest work, The Graveyard's Just a Place to Dance is a sampler plate of incredible fiction.

Here is the description from the Author's Amazon Page
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Taste the dark and mysterious mind of B.E. Scully in this sampler collection that includes four previously published stories plus a chapter of Scully’s critically acclaimed debut novel. Featured stories include “Polar Night,” a journey into the Finnish Lapland that leads one would-be rock star to unimagined glory—at an unthinkable cost; “The Mirror Tells a Different Tale,” a noir mystery about a murder, a police line-up, and a detective with a very unusual crime-solving method; “Who Is Like God?”, a tale about the strange things that have been happening in the Exclusion Zone, where nothing (supposedly) goes in, and nothing (should) come out; “Castles of Stone, Castles of Air,” a haunting look at the consequences of chasing castles that may or may not exist—and the even greater consequences of not chasing them; plus an excerpt from Verland: The Transformation. 
I can't give a higher recommendation to a book than I give to The Graveyard's Just a Place to Dance. B. E. Scully's fiction will haunt you, make you remember images from the story for long after-- and in general find a place deep in your mind. 

More than recommend, I am a fan and eagerly await each release. With that said, I will give away an e-book copy of The Graveyard's Just a place to dance. 



Follow this link to purchase this e-book on Amazon for 99 cents. 

Now-- for the give away of one e-book copy. 



The contest- the first person that comments and has a kindle/Amazon account will win a copy. 


Hope you win the e-book! Check out B. E. Scully's website.
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Top Ten Musicians ever - my list

3/30/2014

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This is a follow up to my post on the Top Ten pieces of Literature of all time. 


This is my list of the ten musicians that have touched, inspired and entertained me. These are the ones I include most often in my playlists and get a huge assist for inspiring me to write. 


1 - Mozart 
2 - Metallica 
3 - Led Zeppelin 
4 - Handel 
5 - Nirvana 
6 - Miles Davis 
7 - Jimi Hendrix 
8 - Michael Jackson
9 - John Williams
10 - Bach
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Indie Music News- Oakland-Based FORREST DAY Signs with Breaking Bands LLC @ForrestDay

3/30/2014

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In Indie Music news, Bay Area band FORREST DAY has recently announced their signing with Breaking Bands LLC in a tweet. Follow the link to read the entire announcement at Music Insider Magazine.


Check out Forrest Day's website for live video content, band news, music and more.
Follow them on Twitter @ForrestDay and like there Facebook page here.

Very excited to announce that we have signed with the management team Breaking Bands! Check it out. http://t.co/B5X20PNtk3

— Forrest Day (@ForrestDay) March 28, 2014
Sample music from Forrest Day on ReverbNation. 
Email newsletters for bands at ReverbNation.com
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Wil Wheaton speaks on bullying, being a nerd and a love of books @wilw

3/30/2014

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An incredible defense of growing up as a nerd and a complete slaying of bullies everywhere. 
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Thirteen years a server

3/29/2014

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Today's shift marks thirteen years as a waiter with Chili's. Serving allowed me the flexible hours needed to write and pursue this craft.



Thirteen years. Perhaps I'll have a glass of wine.



Enjoy your Saturday night

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The top ten works of fiction of all time

3/29/2014

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The Lists-

They taught a list in school, but this is my version, shaped by how each work influenced me as a writer. 

The Top Ten pieces of Literature according to me: 

1 - The Brothers Karamazov --- Fyoder Dostoevsky - no book had a greater impact on me. 
2 - Hamlet --- William Shakespeare
3 - War and Peace --- Leo Tolstoy 
4 -  Lolita --- Vladimir Nabakov
5 - The Great Gatsby --- F. Scott Fitzgerald
6 - As I Lay Dying --- William Faulkner
7 - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn --- Mark Twain 
8 - Crime and Punishment - Fyoder Dostoevksy 
9- The Stories of Anton Chekov - Anton Chekov
10 - The Metamorphisis - Franz Kafka 

What do you say? What are your favorite works of literature? 
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    THE TERRORIST OF PROVIDENCE STREET

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    REVIEWS OF THE TERRORIST OF PROVIDENCE STREET
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    SERVER

    EXCERPT FROM SERVER
    ​DAY ADVENTURE WITH MONKEY

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    EXCERPT FROM SERVER
    KARL MARX: A REFUTATION

    EXCERPT FROM ELLA
    ROUTINE

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    EXCERPT FROM ELLA
    ​THE INTERROGATION

    REVIEW OF ELLA

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    Stephen Moran lives in Las Vegas with his beautiful wife, baby Kiana, and two dogs. 

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