Holly Would, But Stacy Won't; A Story of Write and Wrong

Steven E. Browne My newest, “Holly Would, But Stacy Won’t,” is an off-beat, quirky novel. (4/2008)

photo credit: Michele C. Brown

Author Biography

I have always written, beginning with early diaries. Finally after finishing an unpublished novel, I put up some money and self published two books; The Video Tape Post Production Primer and Getting that Job iMotion Picture, Cable and Television Industry.
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Influences

Jack London and F. Scott Fitzgerald. I loved the idea of being a writer. HOwever these two flawed authors were of particlar interest to me, so much that a lot of my life has been like the friend of the great Gatsby. I have gone to school with and worked with famous, influential and wealthy indiviuals. I myself am middle class, but continue to write and occasaionlly publish my own works.

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Holly Would, But Stacy Won't; A Story of Write and Wrong

Synopsis:

Dorky New England teenager Holly Baker meets fashionable Stacy Goldfarb and is invited to New York City. Their unique friendship results in a wildly successful fashion company allowing them access to “A” list actors and directors. The lucky streak ends when they borrow production money from Stacy’s badseed, drug-ridden brother and the movie bombs.A desperate solution to murder clueless writer Sean Sterling backfires, inviting romance and gunfire.

The chapters alternate between Sterling’s tale and Holly’s autobiography. Along the way they talk about friendship, sex, writing, the "industry", creativity, selling out and what ultimately happened that deadly afternoon in Holly’s Beverly Hills mansion.“I love reading stories with sex, drugs and rock and roll.There’s a definite lack of music in this one.” Jack Weston, Senior Editor, Wilton Place Publishing “A wild, non-linear story filled with great thoughts and ideas about following your dream. It’s even better the second time.” Richard Goldfarb, Daytime Television Producer “If your plan is to become a millionaire novelist, you should take a break and read this… NOW!” Greg Richards, Literary Agent “Holly insisted on telling the reader not to turn to the second to the last page. Her plan was to put a list of enticing plot tidbits there to trick unsuspecting bookstore browsers into purchasing the book. There also had to be a sinister character who would become a major threat. The book had to be fewer than three hundred pages and have deaths at the end to make the story more dramatic.” Sean Sterling, Writer

Book Excerpt:

It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This It was a bad day for me. I mean really bad. I was sitting in an exclusive Beverly Hills mansion. Two feet away from me, at the other end of the couch, was Stacy’s angry brother trying to decide who to kill first. I didn’t feel very comfortable being the closest. It looked like the end of an amazing success story for Stacy and Holly. Although my career had been far less spectacular, it appeared as if the three of us were going to meet same fate.Just a few weeks ago, I told myself I could survive this predicament. All I had to do was “go with the flow”. Well, when you go with the flow, sometimes you find yourself in treacherous waters. I knew one of us wasn’t leaving the room alive. Stacy’s attitude didn’t help. “You’re a fool,” she growled, “Why don’t you drag your sorry, ass out of here, Kevin. And take that silly gun with you!” That was the wrong thing to say to a frustrated, coked-up addict. The gun made an odd sound. It wasn’t a big bang like in the movies, more like a pop, pop. I’m still shocked that Kevin pulled the trigger. Before I go into the details about the incredibly insane outcome of the next few chaotic moments, I must tell you I never intended to put myself in harm’s way. Everything about my life was perfectly under control until Holly told me she would There’s one more thing I need to clear up. Holly was never promiscuous. Was she sexy? Undeniably. Was she adventurous? Yes. Was she sexual? Very. But Holly was no slut. Oh sure, she and Stacy’d had some wild times, but they were the hardest working people I’ve known. Basically, Holly learned she could get anything if she could just convince people that she would… get that deal… find that story… sign that director… It didn’t mean that she had or that she did. Holly’d became an expert at pretending she would… get your dream. She and Stacy had told Kevin they’d pay him back. When he realized they had no intention delivering the money, he became violent. Holly’d forgotten a crucial rule about selling dreams; never sell a dream to a drug dealer with a history of murder.

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Author Comment:

This is my second novel. My first (Protecting the Source) did well and I was proud of the numerous, unsolicited accolades. This time was a real treat. I let my walls down and wrote whichever way the words blew, within reason, of course. After two years of constant work it is now free to live on its own. June 1st "Holly Would, But Stacy won't" will be available on Amazon and Buybooksontheweb. Barnes and Noble, etc will follow shortly.