Authorpreneur Dashboard – Bill and Ann Stevens
Dalton and Grace
Humor & Entertainment
Bless their little hearts… Marriage is a compilation of laughter, tears, and occasional inane spats over nothing, Life in the south is a combination of sass, sophistication, and sticky situations. When you mix these together, the result is gut-splitting hysterical. In these Southern short stories, the whimsical Williams couple takes readers on the highs and lows of their Southern marriage. Dalton Williams, a well-meaning and kind-hearted gentleman, has ideas that are quirky and kooky—many times going awry. His practical and sensible wife, Grace, keeps him grounded. Embark upon a fun-filled and hilarious journey through the aisles of Publix supermarket to the frustration of Daylight Saving Time. Dalton and Grace are familiar faces experiencing life’s oftentimes silly mundanity, and when you add their adorable and sassy Aunt Toogie, you have a real southern treat!
Book Bubbles from Dalton and Grace
Turkey Troubles
We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. As you ease your way into the Tryptophan Zone after dinner, enjoy Fit To be Fried, a short story from Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston. Available on Amazon - think Christmas gift.
Summer Reading
The longer, lazy days of Summer are a perfect time for reading. Many people and groups have a Summer reading list. In Dalton and Grace, we turned a page on this pastime with a recounting of Grace's attempt to elevate the reading standards for her husband, Dalton, and his feisty Aunt Toogie. We hope you enjoy and smile.
A Note to Santa
Remember writing a letter to Santa? How long has it been since you wrote one? In Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, Dalton ends a 50-year hiatus and pens a letter to Santa. Here is that short story. Enjoy...and believe. Dalton and Grace
Laundry Laughs
Washing and drying clothes - easy? Not so fast! The intricacies, techniques, and rules are not written down. The inexperienced need to beware and proceed with caution. Follow Danton's travails in "Who Knew?" from the book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston. Enjoy
Hurricane Season
As we enjoy an Independence Day weekend, we also know that hurricane season is just around the corner. In our book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, Dalton pens a letter to well-know weatherman, Jim Cantore, with some seasonal advice. Enjoy and happy 4th.
Summer Reading
Kids are out of school. Travel plans take wing. Days are long and hot. As summer nears, Grace Williams suggests an activity for her husband, Dalton, and his Aunt Toogie. A summer reading list to pass the time and improve their mind. Here is a chapter, Summer Reading, from Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston.
Tax day is upon us
This year Federal income taxes are due April 18th - a three day extension from the usual April 15th. Big deal! Taxes are still a hassle and pain to do --- as you can read in the attachment, The Joy of Taxes, from Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston.
Husbands Shopping
What happens when the husband is sent on a shopping trip? To a big box store. Read a chapter from Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston. If you like the story, you can read them all by buying the book - on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite bookstore.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is time of love and remembrance. In the short story attached - from Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston - you can read about the surprise that unfolds for Grace, Dalton, and his aunt Toogie.
Resolutions
The beginning of a new year is often a time of resolutions - to do more of this, less of that, to loose weight, to try something new. In our book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, the loving mischief of our main characters - Dalton and Grace - turns to eating better - at least Grace's idea of eating better. Dalton's reaction? Read on....
looking forward to 2022
We wrote the attached story at the end of 2020, looking forward to 2021. With re-emergence of COVID, the thoughts are applicable to today as we look forward to 2022. We hope it will truly be a new year and not 2020,too.
Take time to reflect at Christmas
We all tend to get rushed and busy at Christmas, planning for gifts, parties, and other festive activities. But we all should slow down and reflect on the true story, and meaning, of Christmas. We wrote about that, tongue in cheek, with the Christmas story presented on Twitter.
Christmas Time
Christmas is a time of joy, hope, faith, and family, We have written more stories with a Christmas setting than at any other time of the year. Here is one. Enjoy
Thanksgiving Season
Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, includes many stories set in a season or holiday. In "Fit to be fried," Dalton tries to fry a turkey for his lovely wife, Grace's, Thanksgiving family dinner. But, as often happens, things go awry. You can read what happens next in the book.
Creativity at Daylight Saving Time
One of this week's Bubble topics is creativity. In our book, Dalton and Grace: Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, a character, Dalton Williams, seeks a creative approach to changing the time on his digital clocks - all in one single move - when we reach the 'fall back' time change date. Here is a preview. You can read the outcome of his plans - which often go awry for Dalton and are saved by his lovely wife, Grace, in the book.
Overcoming Challenges
Challenges can be big and small and can be faced by people big and small. Our hearts are tugged most when little people deal with big challenges. One such instance was when our grandson, Charlie, was born prematurely. We wrote about the incident, how his family all pulled for him, and our advice to him in a touching short story (here in full) in our book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston. And a post script - Charlie is now a healthy and happy twelve-year-old and a superior middle school student. Prayers do get answered.
Seasonality
Stories often have seasonal aspects. In our book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Short Stories of Life in Charleston, we often set stories in a time of the year. Winter trips (the mooch march) to Florida; spring cleaning; summer reading; hurricane season (it is an official season in Charleston); little ones at the door on Halloween; frying (well, trying to fry) a turkey at Thanksgiving; the excitement of small children at Christmas; and more. Fall in the south brings cooler temperatures, some change of leaves, and football. The tactics and tussle of a big football game set the stage for a war of wills in the Williams household - control of the thermostat. Here is an excerpt from "The Big Game."
Who is Brevard?
Characters can sometimes be an archetype. In our book, Dalton and Grace, Whimsical Stories of Life in Charleston, our Aunt Toogie has a "gentleman caller" named Brevard. He is a portrayal of a South of Broad Charlestonian. One native Charleston reader asked us, "Who is Brevard?" When we said it was an archetype, she replied, "Well, I know FIVE Brevards!' Art imitates life...
He Made My Day
Given the uncertain, chaotic, and noisy times of daily life, we all need to pause, slow down, and savor the special people who come into our lives. In addition to family and friends, the presence of the occasional stranger just might step into your heart.
