My Vacuum Sucks: Humorous Essays Written While Going from Office Zombie, to Stay-at-Home Dad, to Educator by Brett Chrest

8/13/2022

Modern essayist, Brett Chrest introduces us to his book, “My Vacuum Sucks”:
After I resigned from my office zombie job after 15 years, I emerged to find so much has changed. For starters, 15 years ago, the hack joke was "Why are there so many cable channels?" Now, it is "Why are there so many social media/digital TV streams?" Personal health is another one. Time was, taking down a full-rack of baby back ribs was a badge of honor. Last time I ordered them, a few weeks ago, it became quite the cause célèbre. Several patrons even started a pool to Uber me to a morgue.

Some things never change. Hiking with the family, sports, getting old, etc.

Whether new or old, there is always something funny about what's going on. If you want to read stories about all the humor in the world that you can only see when you take a step back, this book is for you.

Topics include:

getting a first tattoo at age 40
having to cut back on sugar
grilling
local politics
a family trip to New York City
how to tell people what I am reading
golf, and a guy who was probably named Hal

I enjoyed this book a lot. I laughed and chuckled nearly nonstop from cover to cover. Brett is quite a funny guy! His humor, rather self-deprecating, is a lot like many other guys. I would feel right at home sitting with him in the garage sipping an adult beverage. We would be sharing stories of home improvement disasters and wildlife encounters of the third kind. There would be clinking bottles and many high-fives.
Get this book, I will meet you in Brett's garage.
4.9 stars for “My Vacuum Sucks”.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Vacuum-Sucks-Humorous-Stay-at-Home-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-my-vacuum-sucks

Brett Chrest and his wife, Leah Chrest (author of At the Edge of Jordan, reviewed elsewhere on this website) published their books within 1 week of each other and about a week before Brett's unexpected passing in late August of 2021. In Brett's stead, Leah, his wife and the editor of My Vacuum Sucks will be fielding the interview questions.

You can visit the author’s website and his wife’s Twitter and Instagram:
http://www.brettchrest.com
https://twitter.com/ChristianMedit2
https://www.instagram.com/christianmedit2

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

33 Comments

Leah Chrest link

8/16/2022 08:17:23 am

Good morning Mark!
Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you! I enjoy reading the interviews--your last review was especially interesting--it seems that you've had a lot of books on growing through loss/spirituality this past year (which is totally my cup of tea, as you know). Hopefully Brett's humor collection was a welcome change of pace!

Mark

8/16/2022 09:23:31 am

Leah, it's a pleasure to be able to chat again. We last chatted when we promoted your book, "At the Edge of the Jordan" back in June.

You are right, I have had several books in the last year dealing with loss, trauma and overcoming tragedy, including your book. Though your book was not a memoir, it was a fictionalized account of how a young woman learned to accept the death of a very close relative.

Brett's book is a departure from many other books I read and promote. It is very funny, and I do love to laugh. I chuckled my way through much of Brett's book.

The story of both of you publishing your books at the same time and then Brett dying a week later is shocking. We are never prepared for death, in our culture it's an uncomfortable topic. Many of us don't know how to discuss it.

First question.

How did Brett die?

8/16/2022 10:04:00 am

Brett struggled with alcohol addiction (as a means of coping with anxiety) for the majority of his adult life. Despite this, he was an engaged and loving husband and father. Though one can never be their "best self" in the midst of addiction, he did his best to minimize the impact on our family. He finally freed himself from the use of alcohol in late April of 2021. We knew at that time that he had severe cirrhosis of the liver, but the prognosis was relatively good (he was no longer recommended for a transplant at the time of his death--he was regaining some function in his liver). Thus, his death at the end of August of last year was sudden/the timing was unexpected.

Brett had been blogging for a couple years before his passing and, last summer, compiled his humor writings into what became this book. He finished and published the book a week or so before he died. I am so grateful that he was able to achieve this lifelong dream before passing on. :) It has also been wonderful for family and friends to have an "immortal" piece of him.

A couple weeks ago, we were on vacation and our boys (11 and 8) were reading Brett's book together and had to take frequent bathroom breaks due to how hard they were laughing. I love that they get to have that part of their dad with them--his memories of fatherhood.

8/16/2022 12:52:50 pm

Addiction is a terrible thing; it is so insidious because it destroys you from the inside out.

My maternal grandfather was a functioning alcoholic. He was a good amateur golfer as long as he was drunk. He couldn't hit the ball if he was sober.

Brett's book is a collection of stories about him transitioning out of an office environment into a stay-at-home dad. Did his illness or addiction have anything to do with that career change?

Were you and Brett working on your books at the same time or did you take turns on the keyboard?

8/16/2022 04:12:21 pm

Actually, no. It was purely a desire to be a teacher. He had wanted to be a teacher since his college years. He also felt the pull to be a provider and through his government job he was able to do that (I was able to be a stay-at-home mom during our boys' younger years.

It took a solid year of talking up the career change, a very detailed budget and a conference with a financial advisor to convince him it was feasible for him to take a year off and go back to school. He did get to work in education. He LOVED it and was very skilled with the kids (he taught middle schoolers). He passed from this life having accomplished 4 of his biggest dreams: being a dad, a teacher, a writer, and free from the stranglehold of his addiction. :)

We did work simultaneously last summer--we have a chromebook and a laptop so we would each have a device to work on. :) We would take walks in the afternoon together and talk about our writing and bounce ideas off each other. It was a beautiful creative journey.

Have you ever worked with any other writing duos?

8/16/2022 06:54:56 pm

Being a teacher takes a lot of dedication. The middle school years are fascinating and challenging at the same time. I bet he was a good teacher. Accomplishing those four dreams had to have been very gratifying.

That does sound like an ideal creative journey. I bet you were both a big help for the other person. So many authors work alone, the luckiest have a supportive spouse but that is far short of a writing buddy.

I have two clients on opposite coasts, Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton. They are each well-established authors in their separate genres. They have collaborated on story collections for the last two years for the Halloween season and they're doing it again this year. I get to see the manuscript first because I proofread the stories. I love their writing.

There is also a family of three or four adult siblings, they write under a group pen name, Morgan R. R. Haze. they write science fiction, my favorite genre. I have promoted two books for them, they are working on a third. That is all I can think of off the top of my head. Everyone else is a solo act as most writers are. Group efforts, outside of a family connection, tend not to last long. All too frequently a controversy arises, and the group effort falls apart. I have recommended to authors in the past to enter these arrangements very carefully.

New question.

Two editors are listed on Brett's book, you and another person. Did you work side-by-side with the other editor or separately, one after the other?

8/16/2022 08:18:21 pm

Great question! I was the content editor and advised on what humor was landing/what wasn't, intros/conclusions, order of chapters, etc.

As I'm not as naturally comedic as my husband, I would often give very frustrating feedback..."this paragraph just isn't right...not catchy enough". But I rarely could give suggestions on how to make the joke "land". Luckily, he would sit with it for a bit, rework it, and then come up with something that had me laughing out loud, and we'd move on to another section.

My mom (Linda) has an excellent eye for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc., so she handled all of the final lookovers--the sort of thing you do so well here at Word Refiner! :)

We were extremely lucky to have each other. There are full paragraphs (small ones) written by Brett in my book and he helped me to clarify parts that didn't flow or weren't explained well. We worked brilliantly as a team. And you're right--unless you're family, writing teams are tough to keep together!

8/17/2022 08:49:00 am

Comedy is a matter of skillfully honed talent. Good comedy needs to have a thorough understanding of basic human nature and social mores. Most of us can tell a joke pretty well, even if we mess up the timing a little bit. In the hands of a good comedian, the timing within the joke can make a big difference. Brett was a very talented man, it's not easy to write a good joke. I have tried.

Brett's book and your book were very much a family affair. I didn't realize that Linda was your mom. Well done.

Accepting well-meaning criticism is very hard to do, outside of family bonds and trust.

New questions.

What inspired Brett to be a writer?

Why did he choose that particular format?

8/17/2022 09:04:12 am

Receiving well-meaning criticism WITHIN family bonds can be really hard too! haha Some days were challenging, and it was a lesson for both of us in speaking the truth in love as well as in humility. :) I'm sure you've had those lessons in different ways in your own marriage!

Brett had a major role in his college newspaper and his government job required him to write quite a bit, so he had a passion for it pretty early on. He also had a gift for humor and embellishment. I rarely tired of hearing him tell stories from his teen years and even from some of the adventures we had together. Sometimes hearing his retelling was more enjoyable than the actual experience.

The humor blog was a joint idea. I believe the blog part was mine--I had begun to write At the Edge of the Jordan and he expressed that he too wanted to write a book. I suggested that a blog might be a good format to get started in, as he didn't feel that he had the time to write (who does?). With a blog, with a couple hours of time, which I promised to provide every week, he could finish a post from start to finish. Of course, he naturally was drawn to comedy and the blog became what it was.

When I was working on the final draft of my book, he realized he too had collected more than enough material for a book of his own. Things tend to work out the way that they are supposed to. It was a beautiful synchronicity.

8/17/2022 03:10:46 pm

I have had quite a few of those lessons myself. We are soon to celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary and I am happy to report I am doing better than before.

How nice, it sounds like Brett was operating in his natural talent if not his giftedness. Story telling has a long, rich history including slight embellishments. As you noted, the telling is sometimes better than the actual experience. I suppose leaving out the boring parts can make a big difference or at least improve the entertainment factor.

The blog was a good idea. It broke the idea of a book into more manageable pieces.

New questions.

Are there enough pieces of his blog to assemble into another book?

Who designed the cover of his book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

8/17/2022 07:45:30 pm

Great questions!

I briefly thought about it recently and, yes, there probably is enough to make another book. I think that's a great idea too--and cheaper than continuing to keep his blog live for decades. :) Perhaps in the next year I will gather his remaining posts and make a Part 2...if for no other reason than to keep his humor around for our kids and grandkids. There are a few gems that I thought should have been in this book that didn't make the cut. :) Thanks for the idea!

I'll answer the cover and title together, because they are related. Brett's original title for the book was "The Rambling Road". I got where he was going with it, but I thought it would go over most people's heads (including mine). That title didn't yell "HUMOR" to me. So, always the helpful wife, I told him "that doesn't work" and why and let him fix it. "My Vacuum Sucks" was his second suggestion. I immediately laughed and thought "Hey, if nothing else, it'll grab people's attention!".

As for the cover, we designed it together and Brett took the cover picture. I loved his idea of having the vacuum spitting out more material than it was taking in. The lime green color was Brett's idea. I still am not a huge fan, but I won't change it. There are many things about my work that he disagreed with but I that I never changed, so I will respect his creative license, as he respected mine. That's why we self-publish, right? :)

Congrats on 46 years of marriage! 46 years wiser and more in tune with each other than ever, I'm sure. :)

8/17/2022 07:58:27 pm

The Rambling Road is kind of obscure, it's over my head. Though it reminds me of a local kid's TV show when I was growing up. It was called "The Rambling Rod Show". The host was named Rod and he had kids on the show seated in small bleachers, told dumb jokes and played cartoons. I did a quick internet search because it sounded like an old song, but first page results were not helpful in that regard. It is a pretty common name for a lot of things.

The photograph is good, I like it also. I assumed that he took the picture. The color does reach out and poke you in the eye.

I do hope that the rest of his stories get published. It is a lovely memorial.

We are doing a lot better in many ways.

New questions.

I noticed that Brett's book is in Kindle Unlimited. How is that working out?

Why did you choose that exclusive venue?

8/18/2022 03:04:38 pm

I thought the same thing at first! (that it was the name of an old song)

Kindle Unlimited was just an easy way to get started. I want to transition in the next couple of months to a different venue (I know there's a way to keep it on Amazon but also make the book available through Barnes and Noble). KU is okay, but has been ironically "limited" in its utility in getting the book out there. I'm sure user lack of dedication is a large part of that. :)

8/18/2022 03:51:29 pm

KU is an easy way to start but it requires an exclusive contract for a certain length of time. Some people make a decent amount of money, but I think they probably have multip0le volumes on KU or even multiple series. Here is a copy-and-paste link for a blog post that might be useful about going wide beyond Amazon's Ku but not necessarily leaving Amazon entirely: https://www.kotobee.com/blog/everything-need-know-aggregators/ Many other blogs have been written on this topic also. Hit the search box below for more links.

There are many other sales platforms available beside Barnes and Noble. Some people refuse to shop on Amazon for whatever reason.

Going wide, as many authors call it, is a good idea to avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket.

New questions.

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Did Brett have a favorite book that he read more than once?

Leah M Chrest link

8/18/2022 08:27:35 pm

Thank you for the link! That is great advice!

I think the most difficult for me is the selection of what should be published/altering of final drafts based on what is popular rather than what is true. I think this trend is gradually shifting (or at least I hope that it is), but I believe that all points of view should be represented and the substance of books (nonfiction) should not be significantly altered to sell better.

Brett was a huge Bill Bryson fan and his book The History of Everything (a humorous yet well-researched romp through scientific history--truly a fun read) was one he seemed to recommend to so many friends. He enjoyed Hobbes' Leviathon (not exactly a light read, I read about 3 pages before I gave up). This past summer Brett began compiling a bookshelf of not exactly light reads that he hoped the kids would read one day. Almost all of them are nonfiction (historical or political based). I've kept the pile intact with the intention of encouraging the kids to take a look in a few years...the books are mighty works, not for the faint of heart. They share their dad's taste in music, so they might share his taste in reading as well. :)

I know you prefer fiction, if I remember correctly...is there a nonfiction work that you enjoy?

8/18/2022 09:01:56 pm

You are welcome. I love to share the wonderful blogs I find.

I have no doubt that I would enjoy Bryson's book because I love humor so much. Hobb's book sounds like something to consume in small bites. Your sons will appreciate the books at some point. Knowing that their dad thought so highly of these books will matter.

You recall correctly, I read mostly fiction. I have enjoyed many different non-fiction books, but only one comes to mind at the moment as a favorite, "The Helena Star" is the recounting of a failed drug-smuggling operation in the Pacific Northwest quite a few years ago. I reviewed the book and enjoyed it quite a bit. The story was written by the defense attorney.

New questions.

Did writing have a spiritual or healing component for Brett, did it energize him or make him feel tired after a writing session?

Was Brett an under-writer or an over-writer?

8/19/2022 08:59:48 am

Ah, that sounds like something Brett would love! Me? Not so much! Haha

Writing was absolutely energizing for him. Unlike me (or at least the way I used to write...I have become increasingly like my husband!), Brett couldn't write on a schedule. Rather, he wrote only when inspired. When that happened, he would hole up in our sunroom for 2 or 3 hours and would have a brilliant, funny post by the end.

Brett was a "just right" writer. The pre and post edited pieces were about the same length. What changed was the delivery of the jokes on occasion. Sometimes an intro or transition would need to be added, but that was rare. I suppose that was the result of that focused, inspired writing time?

8/19/2022 11:36:14 am

Every writer has a different process when they write. Some writers declare that inspiration will show up if you start writing. Others, like Brett, wait for their muse to arrive. Honestly, considering all that is necessary for inspiration to occur, Brett's way worked well for him. Getting away from all distractions for a few hours is perfect.

I find Brett's writing process to be amazing. His first draft being almost perfect is unusual. Some authors think their first draft is perfect but that is seldom the case.

Writing short stories is a special talent, I believe. The required brevity doesn't allow for florid prose. Every word must earn its place on the page. I also think it's a good idea to write short stories for novelists, they can learn to keep their writing succinct. Most books, in almost any genre, enjoy more success if the writing is tight. Avid readers want to read as much as they can, so long-winded exposition is shunned much of the time.

New questions.

Which is more important to a story pace or flow? How did Brett keep the balance?

What was Brett's writing routine when he sat down to write? Did he have a special drink or snack at hand? Music or TV in the background?

8/19/2022 12:23:26 pm

I agree that the short story is quite an art! Brett did have a knack for being able to put together a very solid rough draft. He impressed me!

Brett was definitely a pace kind of guy. He wrote a bit of fiction (part of what would eventually be a spy book) and he was focused on moving the pace along, but didn't always fully develop the characters or transition well from one chapter to another. The same was true of his humor. When he did struggle, it was with usually with transitions or introducing the section/topic.

As for his writing routine, he usually wrote lying on his stomach, with a sparkling water or juice by his side. :) Sometimes he would listen to music as he wrote. His #1 rule was isolation--he focused 100% on his writing until the piece was finished!

8/19/2022 01:34:21 pm

I have read that action scenes are best written with short words; the scene is easiest to read and comprehend. There is a serious balancing act involved because the author has to use enough words so the reader can see the action play out on their mental screen. Most of us have consumed thousands of hours of videos, so we have ready-made examples of action of almost any kind needed. That helps a writer because common actions need little to no detail and the story can move along.

Characters may well be the critical part of any story. Relatable characters, whether protagonist or antagonist, can make up for weak areas in a story. All of the main characters, not just the good guy or gal, need to be developed enough so the readers can understand their motivations. It has been said that in a well written book, every antagonist thinks he is the hero in the story.

I like Brett's routine. I haven't heard of very many writers working on their stomach.

New questions.

Do you think there anything about his book he would like to change since it has been published?

If Brett were alive, do you think he would have continued writing? Do you know what that might have been?

8/19/2022 09:23:29 pm

I agree, characters are so important! I think many writers struggle to slow down the pace enough to really develop the intricacies of the characters.

I don't think there's much he would change about the book...he was quite proud of it. :) And yes, he had several irons in the fire when he passed: First up was the spy mini-series which he was writing for medium.com and an allegorical humor novel (I think he references it in My Vacuum Sucks actually!) about base jumpers out west. He started both and was moving along at a pretty good clip. I also found a hidden file on our computer...he was secretly writing a memoir about his struggle with addiction (he had a chapter and a half finished). And, finally, he was still blogging regularly. So, in short, yes...he had many plans for future works! I find it interesting how many genres he was dabbling in...how common is that among writers you work with?

8/20/2022 08:15:51 am

Brett was very talented, no doubt. I am going to guess that his spy story had humorous elements to it also as well as his addiction memoir. Humor helps us all to get through tough days at times.

There are many multi-genre authors. Some like to jump from genre to genre, others like to stay in one genre but write in more than one subgenre such as modern romance and historical romance. Some authors dabble in other genres through short stories and some like to enter competitions with these short stories.

It is not uncommon to see some authors with multiple genres. It is hard to tell when they are using pen names, though.

New questions.

Did Brett plan anything to launch his book when it was first published?

Do you think Brett would have participated in a book blog tour, why or why not?

8/20/2022 02:12:23 pm

Surprisingly, his memoir and his spy book were very much on the serious side. There may have been a bit of humor here or there, but the former was (at least at the beginning) very honest, open, and raw. The latter relied on suspense and character development almost exclusively. There was very little cross-over. In my works, there is a ton of cross-over, even when I shift genres (from narrative nonfiction to memoir). He was unique for sure!

Brett didn't plan anything for the launch, besides some social media posts. I think we were both pretty uninformed about the whole process early on. :) However, I think he would have absolutely done a blog tour at some point. He loved being a part of the writer community on Medium and would have enjoyed that aspect of promoting his book!

8/20/2022 05:01:40 pm

That is interesting. I certainly thought otherwise, at least for the spy novel. The memoir could have been him trying to sort things out, the first draft at least would likely be very serious and raw. Subsequent drafts might have taken a different angle, for a little self-protection, if nothing else. It can be hard to be honest with yourself at times.

Having gone through the covid mess for over two years, the value of human contact is highly treasured now by most people. The introverts fare better with a minimum of contact it seems. Blog tours and podcast interviews would have been useful and likely enjoyable for him. A community of likeminded individuals is more important than ever in my mind.

New questions.

Thinking about Brett's spy novel. Did you recognize him or any friends or family members in the manuscript? Some authors use a few aspects of people they know to begin fashioning the characters in a novel.

Did he publish all of his spy series on Medium, if not is there enough to finish the story?

8/20/2022 08:59:31 pm

Yes, you are right, Brett was very introverted and would have flourished in the blog tour/virtual community environment. We may have touched on this last time, but do you also lean toward introvertedness? (you have a very extroverted personality online, but so did Brett :) )

Very interesting questions! He was still working through the spy series, trying to make sure all the details worked together before releasing the first several chapters. I think he was about halfway through. Unfortunately, I know about 10% of what he knew about espionage and would be unable to finish the book in a convincing way. I might include those intro chapters as an appendix to the second humor book, because even with all the unresolved plot lines, it makes for a very interesting story!

I didn't see much of him, myself, or anyone I knew personally in the spy book. One character was a stay-at-home mom (which was my role for a few years) but I saw none of myself in her. I'm a tomboy type and she, well, she was quite the opposite! I imagine there were friends from work or pieces from various historical charcters who strongly influenced the work. However, for the opening chapter (he only wrote 2 chapters) of the base jumping book, I noticed much of his own personality reflected in the lead. Though the lead was female, there were a few tell-tale signs that he was basing the character largely on himself, with a few obvious changes.

8/21/2022 08:13:06 am

When I was in the early years of education, I had a stammer that evidenced itself when I was nervous. It made talking quite difficult. I was also one of the smallest kids in my grade. I came across as introverted at that time. Then and now, I enjoy talking with people and I like helping people solve problems, in a retail environment. Like Brett, I thrive in the virtual world. Especially on Twitter, I love chatting with writers and authors.

Some authors consciously base their characters upon family and friends. Some also let the acquaintances know about that. It backfired for at least one author I know of. After getting permission from all parties, one person took exception to something the character was doing. I believe the author has ceased that practice. Other authors will base characters around those they know but make efforts to be certain that no one recognizes themself or another person. I think that is the safest road to follow.

I think that is a nice idea to include those chapters in an appendix. More for the family to remember him by.

New questions.

What did Brett do to flesh out the characters for his stories?

Which was more fun to write, for Brett, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?

8/21/2022 01:03:09 pm

Ah, I wish I knew more! I was more a part of his blog writing than his book, though I did advise him on the spy book quite a bit as well.

Brett was an expert in the world of espionage (through his reading on the subject and through close work relationships who taught him the ins and outs) and could easily develop the plot line/action of the book. However, when it came to character development, one of his struggles was creating empathy for his characters. Thus (second question), I believe he struggled more with the protagonist--the antagonist was easy--we aren't supposed to care about him/her (although we might have some degree of sympathy for their plight). I think I irritated him quite a bit with my comments after reading one chapter of his spy book.

"You're giving me no reason to care about this character!"

He didn't see it and we went back and forth through multiple drafts until we were both satisfied with the pace of the plot and the depth of the character. That was a...tense, but worthwhile collaborative writing day for us. :)

So, to answer the first question, I suppose he used me for help fleshing out characters (esp. the female ones). :) His character development in the base jumping book was much stronger (though only one character had been developed in the first chapter or two)...I believe that was because of how much he based that character on himself. :)

8/21/2022 02:34:27 pm

"I am just an analyst in the FBI/CIA, I study reports and write more reports." Isn't that the standard line for agents? ;-) I would love to see what he wrote sometime. Disclaimer: I am not an agent, nor have I ever played one in a movie. I do enjoy the genre and am a little sneaky myself.

You were right to stick to your guns about the empathy for the characters. Many beginning writers struggle with that very issue. It's all too easy to write 2-D cardboard characters. That leaves readers with lackluster feelings toward the characters and the story. More people will read a book with great characters and a not-so-great plot than the other way around.

I don't think it's unusual for a male writer to consult a spouse or a trusted woman friend about major female characters. At least in the early part of a writing career. I think that would get easier as more books were written.

New question.

What is the one thing you think Brett hoped readers would remember from his book?

Did Brett seek advice from any authors besides you?

What advice do you think Brett would have given to an aspiring writer?

8/21/2022 08:09:23 pm

Ah, he was being honest there. When we were first dating, I was disappointed that he was "just an analyst", but quickly became glad when we had kids, as analysts don't have to carry a weapon. :) However, that doesn't mean he didn't do some pretty interesting stuff. Though the stories he shared with me were unclassified, I'm still not sure what I'm allowed to share this broadly. I'll just say he has enough experience to know what he was writing about!

Great questions!

For the first, Brett hoped that people would be able to be more active observers in their lives and appreciate the present moment (something he mastered in the last few months of his life). I'll let him say it in his own words (from the intro that wasn't in the kindle book but was in the paperback:

(The stories) are all about being content while existing in the present, and not always being obsessed with where your next step will land.
All of these are true; even the story about writing a “fake” story.
They reflect a newfound appreciation for observation and the reception of the stories which fly around all of us. It is a window into contentment with who I am, what I am, and where I am.
If this collection fails to illustrate the beautiful absurdity of human life, at least by the end of it all, you will have a few good poop jokes to whip out at the next wedding reception you have to attend.

Questions #2: He did reach out for feedback from a few of his friends on Medium. He also sought out the input of a family friend who is a writer on his spy book. So, not just me, though, because I was around the most, I ended up providing the largest amount (though not necessarily the highest quality) feedback.

Question #3: Creativity is a part of who you are. Don't let fear of failure or of not being "good enough" get in between you and following your dreams.

8/21/2022 09:13:56 pm

I assume that even analysts go through the same training as field agents. I could easily be wrong about that.

That is a nice intro. Of course, being present means not being on your phone when others are with you. I love my 14-year-old granddaughter, when I am driving her home from school, which is less than a mile from our apartment, her face is buried in her phone. I think I will talk to my wife before talking to her.

I have no doubt that you provided a lot of writing advice.

I love that advice about creativity. It is very down to earth. Every writer has imagination and that is a critical component in writing anything. Fiction, non-fiction, content or blogs, if you don't know who you are writing to, who will be the most likely consumer of your writing it will be easy to miss the need of that person.

Last questions.

How long ago was it that Brett first got the idea of using his blog posts to write MVS?

Do you think Brett had any idea he might not live much longer and that might be why he wrote MVS first?

8/22/2022 06:13:35 am

Agent and analyst training have some common elements but they are different. :) How? Sorry, no clue! I should have been a better listener. ;) One thing Brett was trained to do was to be able to be fully aware of his surroundings at all times. Whenever we went out to eat, he seemed fully focused on me, but afterwards he could tell me every detail of the room we were in as well as 5 other conversations near us and each of those people's jobs, family roles, personality quirks, etc. Honestly, no wonder he struggled with anxiety. I can't imagine having that experience at a dinner out! That is a lot of info to sift through on a regular basis. However, I always felt safe with him...nothing got by him.

Your daughter sounds like 90% of my high school students...and like myself 10 years ago. Addiction is rough, and, unfortunately, tech addiction is the new norm. I feel for my students. They are truly struggling emotionally, esp. after the pandemic and having to be tied to their tech round the clock that year.

Brett came up with the idea very early in 2021, if I remember correctly. Most of the work on the book took place over the summer of '21.

Great last question and one that I still have as well. Brett was researching graduate schools in the week or two before he passed, so he certainly didn't "seem" to think his time was short. And yet, I wonder... Perhaps he only knew on an intuitive level? I've been thinking about that all year. There are some things he did that last summer and especially the last day of his life that make me think that maybe he did know, but wanted to fool us so that we could have a "normal" summer and have a couple months to really remember and cherish (we did!). And maybe writing the book was part of his final hoorah.

8/22/2022 09:20:54 am

His skill and power of observation was quite amazing. No wonder you felt safe and yet you felt his full attention.

I am not surprised you have wondered about that as well. Small clues are easy to miss in daily living. They only become important in retrospect.

I want to thank you for being a fabulous guest. Talking about your late husband and his writings was probably bittersweet. I know you and the family miss him a lot.

I have another promotion starting tomorrow, so I must bring this one to a close. Again, thanks for joining me on the Word Refiner channel and keep on writing.

8/22/2022 08:44:59 pm

Thank you, Mark! It was wonderful to celebrate Brett's book and share it with others. He was/is indeed a loving husband and father to us and I feel so blessed to have had the privilege to walk this earth by his side.

Best to you...hopefully in a year or two we will chat again. :)

My Vacuum Sucks: Humorous Essays Written While Going from Office Zombie, to Stay-at-Home Dad, to Educator by Brett Chrest

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