It Takes a Village
06/24/10 02:01 PM Filed in: On Writing
Ted told me that getting the book published was just the beginning. He explained that the battle continues even when your name is in print. Now, I understand what he meant. The books don't sell themselves. We constantly have to promote. It's imperative that we treat this just like a business. Marketing ourselves is necessary.
Right now, the time is crucial. We have to strike while the iron is hot. In order for The Running Waves to be a success in our eyes, we want it to go national. It will take time, but we have faith that we can get there. If we want to accomplish this goal, we must first succeed on Cape Cod. This book should be in every bookstore on the Cape. It's a no-brainer. It's a story based on Cape Cod. If we can thrive here, we can then ride that momentum across the bridge and hopefully continue to grow. Please urge your local bookstore to carry The Running Waves, if they are not already doing so.
Our family, friends and fans have been amazing. You supported us even before the book came out. If that's not loyalty, then I don't know what is. We are starting to get some incredible feedback from people who have read the book and the feeling is astounding, but we still need your help. We have recently added a review page to our web site. If you liked the book, we ask you to please write a quick review. It doesn't have to be lengthy, just a summary of what you thought or how the story made you feel. These reviews are vital.
We have also added a memorial page. The book was written to keep the spirits of our friends alive. This page is for our readers who would like to do the same thing. Writing is the best therapy. We would like to thank everyone who has had our backs. Your support means the world to us. God bless.
-Seton and Ted
Right now, the time is crucial. We have to strike while the iron is hot. In order for The Running Waves to be a success in our eyes, we want it to go national. It will take time, but we have faith that we can get there. If we want to accomplish this goal, we must first succeed on Cape Cod. This book should be in every bookstore on the Cape. It's a no-brainer. It's a story based on Cape Cod. If we can thrive here, we can then ride that momentum across the bridge and hopefully continue to grow. Please urge your local bookstore to carry The Running Waves, if they are not already doing so.
Our family, friends and fans have been amazing. You supported us even before the book came out. If that's not loyalty, then I don't know what is. We are starting to get some incredible feedback from people who have read the book and the feeling is astounding, but we still need your help. We have recently added a review page to our web site. If you liked the book, we ask you to please write a quick review. It doesn't have to be lengthy, just a summary of what you thought or how the story made you feel. These reviews are vital.
We have also added a memorial page. The book was written to keep the spirits of our friends alive. This page is for our readers who would like to do the same thing. Writing is the best therapy. We would like to thank everyone who has had our backs. Your support means the world to us. God bless.
-Seton and Ted
Comments
Strictly for Pete
I think some of my fondest memories in life consisted of my years at Mullen Hall, Morse Pond and Lawrence School. Alcohol and drugs weren’t even a thought and innocence still prevailed. One of my best friends during that time was Peter Hurd. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Pete loved his bright smile and infectious laugh.
Now, driving around Falmouth as an “adult,” I often think about the miles Pete and I put on our ten speed bikes, riding freely around town as kids. Our route was pretty basic. Usually, we would stop off at Smitty’s Variety Store and stock up on penny candy before heading to Ryan Family Amusement to spend our loose change on Karate Champ and Rampage. And if the weather didn’t permit bike riding, we would hunker down at Morgan’s, Goldman’s or Simpson’s house for a day of movies that always included either Fletch, Caddyshack, Jaws, Porky’s and Revenge of the Nerds.
After Lawrence School, Peter attended St. Georges in Newport and I didn’t see him as much. I regret that a lot because a short time later he died, along with another friend. It was the loss of these two boys that inspired The Running Waves. Fortunately, I still have great memories of both of them that will last a lifetime. Today, May 23rd, Peter would have turned thirty five. Wherever you are I hope you’re smiling and laughing. This song is for you, my friend. Happy Birthday.
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Love,
Your buddy
Now, driving around Falmouth as an “adult,” I often think about the miles Pete and I put on our ten speed bikes, riding freely around town as kids. Our route was pretty basic. Usually, we would stop off at Smitty’s Variety Store and stock up on penny candy before heading to Ryan Family Amusement to spend our loose change on Karate Champ and Rampage. And if the weather didn’t permit bike riding, we would hunker down at Morgan’s, Goldman’s or Simpson’s house for a day of movies that always included either Fletch, Caddyshack, Jaws, Porky’s and Revenge of the Nerds.
After Lawrence School, Peter attended St. Georges in Newport and I didn’t see him as much. I regret that a lot because a short time later he died, along with another friend. It was the loss of these two boys that inspired The Running Waves. Fortunately, I still have great memories of both of them that will last a lifetime. Today, May 23rd, Peter would have turned thirty five. Wherever you are I hope you’re smiling and laughing. This song is for you, my friend. Happy Birthday.
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
Love,
Your buddy
Song of the Day - The Last Goodbye by The Jeff Buckley Band
A critic recently went off on us for mentioning too many songs in our book. This was not an unexpected criticism. Going into writing the book, Seton and I talked a lot about how music back in '94 was so prevalent in our lives. We listened to it at parties, summer jobs, family cookouts, etc. We also listened to it as a coping device as we reflected on losing loved ones to tragedy and/or breakups. When you are young what is being played during that time period becomes a part of who you are (and were) because a song is indeed a time capsule holding that memory. As you age, not so much. Time for the classical...
For example, I recently heard "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and I was instantly back in the sixth grade at the Morse Pond School on the playground. In my mind, I could see my friend Mike Gomes holding his "boom box" in the air while the song played. I also saw the class bully coming over to me and bloodying my nose (not for my lunch money because he stomped on my brown bag) just for the fun of it. Mike jumped down, ran over, and protected me - he was that kind of kid.
So when Seton and I talked about using music we wanted it to be an actual character in the book. We knew not everyone would know all of the songs and to us that was ok because when you read a book you go into the characters' lives. You become them. But we also thought wouldn't it be cool for the book to live on in the virtual world by having the back stories of each song. So if we briefly mention 20 or so songs in the book people could then go to our site and get twenty or more stories and also hear the songs themselves enhancing the experience. As far as we know, this is a new approach, but it is also a fresh one. With Ipads etc we will not be surprised if they'll soon be links to buying the song mentioned in the book you are reading. If it's not already being done.
The story of choosing The Last Goodbye by the Jeff Buckley Band is one of those "meant to be" moments. The character Dermot (who makes mixed tapes for everything) has decided no longer to make them (we don't want to spoil the book so we won't say why). Anyway, he is down Cape and decides to put on the radio. Well, talking with Seton we naturally thought of WKKL - the Cape Cod Community College station that always entertained us when we were downCape. Dermot needed a song he had never heard before since it wouldn't be on a mixed tape and it also had to be hauntingly beautiful. Seton and I couldn't think of anything and then it happened. I woke up in the middle of the night humming a song trying to remember what it was and then it came to me. The Last Goodbye by the Jeff Buckley Band. I immediately hopped out of bed and ran to my computer to search for when that song had come out. I knew it was the early to mid 90's but was it before '94? I googled it and couldn't believe it. It had been released in August of '94. The scene we were working on was the end of August of '94. Then I scanned down to see something that made me stare at the screen for a good ten minutes. Jeff Buckley had passed away a couple of years after the song was released. But it was not that he had died, but how he had died. It was the same way that our character Colin lost his two friends. I listened to the song and down to the guitar that sounded like a wailing gull, I knew it was a "meant to be" moment for the scene. I called Seton at 6 a.m. and played it for him and he was speechless.
"That's it, bro." was all he said.
So, again, the music in this book does not apply to the Beethoven crowd, but those are not the readers we are going after. If we were going after them we'd probably write about Beethoven. Just a thought. We want good readers who are willing to jump into the time period we created with our use of music. In the case of The Last Goodbye it's late August 1994 on Cape Cod in the middle of the night on a lonely highway known to Cape Codders as route 6.
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
For example, I recently heard "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and I was instantly back in the sixth grade at the Morse Pond School on the playground. In my mind, I could see my friend Mike Gomes holding his "boom box" in the air while the song played. I also saw the class bully coming over to me and bloodying my nose (not for my lunch money because he stomped on my brown bag) just for the fun of it. Mike jumped down, ran over, and protected me - he was that kind of kid.
So when Seton and I talked about using music we wanted it to be an actual character in the book. We knew not everyone would know all of the songs and to us that was ok because when you read a book you go into the characters' lives. You become them. But we also thought wouldn't it be cool for the book to live on in the virtual world by having the back stories of each song. So if we briefly mention 20 or so songs in the book people could then go to our site and get twenty or more stories and also hear the songs themselves enhancing the experience. As far as we know, this is a new approach, but it is also a fresh one. With Ipads etc we will not be surprised if they'll soon be links to buying the song mentioned in the book you are reading. If it's not already being done.
The story of choosing The Last Goodbye by the Jeff Buckley Band is one of those "meant to be" moments. The character Dermot (who makes mixed tapes for everything) has decided no longer to make them (we don't want to spoil the book so we won't say why). Anyway, he is down Cape and decides to put on the radio. Well, talking with Seton we naturally thought of WKKL - the Cape Cod Community College station that always entertained us when we were downCape. Dermot needed a song he had never heard before since it wouldn't be on a mixed tape and it also had to be hauntingly beautiful. Seton and I couldn't think of anything and then it happened. I woke up in the middle of the night humming a song trying to remember what it was and then it came to me. The Last Goodbye by the Jeff Buckley Band. I immediately hopped out of bed and ran to my computer to search for when that song had come out. I knew it was the early to mid 90's but was it before '94? I googled it and couldn't believe it. It had been released in August of '94. The scene we were working on was the end of August of '94. Then I scanned down to see something that made me stare at the screen for a good ten minutes. Jeff Buckley had passed away a couple of years after the song was released. But it was not that he had died, but how he had died. It was the same way that our character Colin lost his two friends. I listened to the song and down to the guitar that sounded like a wailing gull, I knew it was a "meant to be" moment for the scene. I called Seton at 6 a.m. and played it for him and he was speechless.
"That's it, bro." was all he said.
So, again, the music in this book does not apply to the Beethoven crowd, but those are not the readers we are going after. If we were going after them we'd probably write about Beethoven. Just a thought. We want good readers who are willing to jump into the time period we created with our use of music. In the case of The Last Goodbye it's late August 1994 on Cape Cod in the middle of the night on a lonely highway known to Cape Codders as route 6.
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
Song of the Day - Nightswimming by R.E.M.
I remember "back in the day" being at a party at Stephen Kapulka's house. It was late at night and the party was winding down. On cue, my buddy Pat Bellavance took out his guitar and began playing Nightswimming. The few remaining party goers immediately stopped talking and listened as he played a song that was known for its piano on his guitar. It was truly a beautiful moment; one that you actually reflect on as it's happening. I remember thinking I wish I could stay young forever laughing and partying with my friends for the fall was coming and we were all going somewhere. My reflection ended after Pat finished playing the song because something that I only noticed occurred. It was an extremely funny moment that Pat and I still talk about. For all of our local friends who will buy (no sharing you cheap etc...) and read T.R.W. the quick scene that features Night Swimming is all Bellavance. That's how our boy played his game. God love him!
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
Song of the Day - Every Little Counts by New Order
I always liked this song because it sounded like the lead singer even knew he was sounding a bit pathetic for singing about the control his girlfriend had over him = a broken hearted foul. Obviously, to us that meant it was perfect song to be on a mixed tape that Dermot is listening to while thinking about his ex girlfriend.
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-Ted
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
Song of the Day - Far Far Away From My Hear by BoDeans
There were a couple of reasons we chose this song. We knew we had to have a song as a shout out to the BoDeans in honor of our older sister Joanna who introduced us to their music back in the day. But we wanted to also pick a song that captured what was going on with both main characters - Colin and Dermot. This was the perfect choice.
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-Seton & Ted
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Seton & Ted
Happy Mother's Day
05/11/10 05:02 PM Filed in: Inspiration
An unruly sorrow drove me to ramble
Shadowed roads and lifeless faces
Years of compounding mistakes and indefinite floundering
And like a fish out of water I begged to breathe again
The loving touch of a mother’s hand
Told me who I was
Hope, once extinguished, was feverishly ignited
“Remember son. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Love,
Seton
Shadowed roads and lifeless faces
Years of compounding mistakes and indefinite floundering
And like a fish out of water I begged to breathe again
The loving touch of a mother’s hand
Told me who I was
Hope, once extinguished, was feverishly ignited
“Remember son. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Love,
Seton
Song of the Day - Bonzo Goes To Bitburg by The Ramones
It's nice that today's youth like to wear Ramones' tshirts, but they should at least know the songs the band sings. I've asked more than a few questions about the Ramones, and it's clear they bought the shirt 'cause it looks real cool. So today's song of the day goes out to the old fans out there.
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-Ted
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
Song of the Day - She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
I remember when I first got my license and popped in a mixed tape and blasted this song while flying a good 56 M.P.H. on the highway. Such a rebel...
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-Ted
Reading this on Facebook? Visit the original post to watch the videos.
-Ted
"On Seton’s Thirty Fourth Birthday"
05/04/10 05:50 AM Filed in: Inspiration
“On Seton’s Thirty Fourth Birthday”
Well-traveled you are, my son.
Not always obstacle free, your journey.
Over-sharp edged stones and stinging
thorns painful and restless you hid in
darkness and despair.
But now you travel to a place of budding
flowers and cleansing waters.
I will always see you where you stood,
where generations stood before you.
You tasted family history, a much stronger
brew than the one you held in your
hand that day.
Even as your father, I knew my place
was silence to respect your wandering.
It is sweet-scented spring, the moment
of your birth.
It is a time of renewal. Your journey is complete.
You have come home, my beloved son.
Love,
Dad
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