The Making of Deadbomb Bingo Ray

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What the hell is that? Oh no, all the acid I took in the late 80’s is boomeranging back in vicious chemical slurry and- ah shit, nah. It’s a Philly thing.

I went for a walk this morning here in scenic, beautiful Portland. Right now it’s Fall. The leaves are bright, the sky is gray, and my neighborhood smells like a French bakery. Not bad. I go for a walk every morning, rain or shine. Gets the wheels turning, but more than that I want to see the birds. Feel the air. That kind of thing. This morning as I surveyed the development of local herb patches, mostly rosemary and marjoram, I though about the journey I’ve made out of projects like Deadbomb Bingo Ray. This is Day One in the life of this new novel. Publication Day was yesterday. What does this mean?

For me, nothing. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either. If I was in LA or San Fransisco or New York, I’d have probably gone out with some of the writers I know there and eaten something strange and good, then walked around and yammered about cool nerd stuff. I don’t know any Portland writers. The ones I’ve come across didn’t have good things to say about each other, and that didn’t inspire me. Everyone I know here is a chef, a musician, or an artist. Many good friends, warm and talented people all, but my book thing, the decades of constant reading and then later the writing, is a sort of endearing hobby they’re willing to look past as long as I don’t go on and on about how such and such got adapted into a play or dudeboy Y has a new book out. Immaterial anyway. The day to celebrate is the day you get PAID! Who cares when the book comes out? It’s spread out over a month! Another good day to celebrate is the day you sign the contract. Makes sense, right?

DBR takes place in Philadelphia. Ugly place, but for some reason I had fun there. In this life I will never see that city again, so not that much fun. The world is a big and interesting place, and the list of places to see twice, well, Philly isn’t on it. Happy I checked that off my list, however, and delighted a book came out of it. Making Ray and The Darby Holland Crime Series led to Hollywood as well. And that’s a road with endless opportunities. So! These are the things I’m celebrating or have celebrated regarding Deadbomb Bingo Ray.

Contract Day! Unfortunately, even though Fed X showed the contract was delivered, it was lost. Turned into a bummer.

Pay Day! Again, a bummer. They money was sent to the wrong account.

Cover Day! I love the cover of this book! Went out with my girlfriend Sylvia and ate sushi.

Turner Publishing tells me they have a meeting with Lionsgate regarding Deadbomb Bingo Ray! That was the day before yesterday. Let to honey and lavender ice cream at Salt and Straw. Fuckin’ good too.

There’s more. I can’t say how and I don’t know why, but everything you make leads neatly to the beginning of the next thing to make. And it’s all so fun. So I’m happy today. But no party hat. Just happy.