The Foolishness Of Fandom
Song of the day: John Coltrane AFTER THE RAIN
For those of you out there who may not know, today’s birthday boy, El Guapo, was the first adult male fan of my novel, THE GODS OF ASPHALT. As a first time novelist, it was a real trip for me to hear feedback from someone who enjoyed my book as much as he did. New writers are often insecure about their work, and El Guapo made me believe I might actually have something worth writing about.
I’ve always wondered if there was a way that I could repay him for his kind words early on. I decided that his birthday would be the perfect day to thank him. So here’s my gift to you, El Guapo, and it comes in two parts.
Part One:
I am in the process of writing a secret book (yes, in addition to REAPERS and the rest of THE GODS OF ASPHALT series). What I can tell you is that it is set in the seventies and involves the classic rock music scene. I am thinking there is a place in my novel for a character by the name of El Guapo who drives the protagonist’s band’s tour bus, and who has a penchant for Hawaiian shirts. By the way, he gets all the groupies.
Part Two:
As I was writing THE GODS OF ASPHALT I discovered that it was entirely too long, so I cut a scene that never made it into the book. It was an early scene that showed Gus every morning waking up, staring out the window in a longing sort of way, listening to John Coltrane’s After The Rain. I was sad that I had to cut that scene because I really liked it. When I think about it now, I often think you would have liked it too. I may have cut the scene, but I’ve included the song.
Happy Birthday, El Guapo.
Great song H E. and quite the present. A character in a novel.
December 6, 2012 at 12:05 am
Thanks! I thought he’d like it.
December 6, 2012 at 1:01 am
How does one wrap that though.
December 6, 2012 at 8:43 am
With a beat box.
Ba dum bum.
December 9, 2012 at 10:00 am
YAY!!
December 6, 2012 at 12:05 am
Shiny!
December 6, 2012 at 1:01 am
Sweet! That is a great present! (Psst. Put it in the poll at my place…or some other foolishness.)
Happy birthday, Guaposan.
xxx
December 6, 2012 at 12:59 am
I am there!
December 6, 2012 at 1:02 am
Buahahahahaha! Loved ‘ the first adult male fan of my novel.’
Great tune by Coltane.
Happy Birthday Guapmeister!
December 6, 2012 at 1:51 am
Now that I read it again it does look sort of funny- like I should be giving out coupons for male adult diapers with every purchase.
December 6, 2012 at 2:43 am
reminds me, I have this astronaut boyfriend who wants to break up. Current cost of Diapers?
December 6, 2012 at 3:17 am
Priceless.
December 6, 2012 at 3:28 am
If they have the diapers in dayglo, I’d like two for the next beach season.
December 6, 2012 at 4:40 pm
What’s sad is that I am sure if we looked hard enough, we’d find them. Hope you had a happy B-day, Guap.
December 9, 2012 at 10:01 am
What a great gift it is to inspire a character in a novel! What a great person El Guapo is to inspire a character modeled after him!
December 6, 2012 at 2:07 am
He is a veritable well of character traits, and all of them good!
December 6, 2012 at 2:44 am
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A character in a book…the BEST present EVER…nicely done!!! I can so see him in that!!
December 6, 2012 at 7:22 am
Oh I am going to have a blast writing El Guapo.
December 9, 2012 at 10:02 am
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Awesome song for the birthday boy! Happy Birthday Guapo!
December 6, 2012 at 8:16 am
The tune’s cool, much like El G.
December 9, 2012 at 10:03 am
Great song choice!
December 6, 2012 at 8:24 am
Thanks! You can never go wrong with Coltrane.
December 9, 2012 at 10:04 am
H.E. Ellis,
If it wasn’t for Guapo’s birthday, I would just make a comment about the astounding Coltrane track, but it is the celebration of a good man… So…
Again. Encore: Bonne fête, l’ami.
Le Clown
December 6, 2012 at 8:32 am
Thanks, Le Clown. I think we need to get The Lounge Lizards to write a tune for him.
December 9, 2012 at 10:09 am
Cool Beans.
Happy Bday Guap
December 6, 2012 at 9:08 am
The coolest.
December 9, 2012 at 10:10 am
Hahaha, Only I know why “seventies and involves the classic rock music scene!” is funny. Too me anyway …
Happy Bday Handsome!
December 6, 2012 at 9:58 am
Yes you do!
December 9, 2012 at 10:10 am
Ummm… My birthday is April 4th…
Why does no one write a song about before the rain?
These are real gifts. Awesome.
December 6, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I think you should write that song!
December 9, 2012 at 10:11 am
I think I might.
December 9, 2012 at 10:24 am
Guap is the perfect character . . . inside a book or in real life!
December 6, 2012 at 12:19 pm
He is definitely one of a kind.
December 9, 2012 at 10:12 am
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Holy cats – the song would have been enough. But a character and an adult diaper coupon? My cup runneth over!
Thank you so much, HE!
(Now stop blogging and finish the books!!!)
December 6, 2012 at 4:42 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EL GUAPO
!!
December 8, 2012 at 10:04 am
Thank you so much,RantOnIt!
December 8, 2012 at 11:58 am
I will! I will!
Once I finish it I’ll have to send you a bunch of copies for you to sign so we can auction them off for charity for when we make it to the big time.
December 9, 2012 at 10:14 am
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To be a character in your book is a most excellent present!
December 6, 2012 at 7:42 pm
I’m sure there’s a spot for a feisty groupie character who introduces herself by saying something like, “My name is Sandy…you know, like the beach.”
December 9, 2012 at 10:16 am
Guapo, I don’t know you well but happy birthday!
December 6, 2012 at 9:26 pm
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Indeed, HE… methinks you have soared far and above the usual suspects as far a birfday gifts go!!! WONderful idea for a ONE of a kind guy!!!
The whole world (as I know it) loves EG!!!
PS I can just dream about that scene that got cut, with the assistance of that haunting and longing tune!!! That seems SO Gus!!!
December 8, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for the book love, Buddha!
I liked that scene so much that I held onto it. When I write Gus’s book (hopefully this coming winter) I am considering adding it there.
December 9, 2012 at 10:18 am