Monday, July 1, 2013

Keep On Smiling?

A Pause to Review
My hardcore loyal followers (you know who you are: I owe you money) have been most generous with support as I indulge myself by posting my efforts at some fiction writing. But back last winter when I ran that "LA" series about my highly charged visit with my son in Los Angeles I was getting over 300 page views a day. (Big time for me). Comments were sparse, but I think a lot of that was due to the content leaving readers a little stunned and not sure what to say.

Not Smiling
The "Smiling" series is barely getting a hundred hits a day, not much more than my usual stuff. I don't know...well, let's face it, people are far more interested in real life family drama and sex than make believe. I hate writing fiction. It sucks. I read it all the time and what I am dishing out here is Florida mystery fiction (sorta), a burgeoning genre and one I am well qualified to serve up. But still, I prefer telling mildly-stretched true tales to making stuff up. Ironically, the events in Smiling In the Sunshine COULD have happened; every character in the book is based on a real person and the events, for the most part, actually occurred, albeit twenty years ago.

But still it is fiction.

I don't seem to be growing my readership with these posts and the truth is, I thought I would be working in the real world by now and was using the series to keep the Blog alive while I hacked around with hammers and nails. But even that didn't happen and now I'm pondering on what to do about it all.

So What To Do
I could start a separate Blog page for the book and keep it going that way. I have fifteen chapters written and by feeling a little pressure to finish it I would probably (maybe) actually write the thing. The fun part of the project, for me, and hopefully for you guys, is that what you are seeing is the before- the-editor's-edition version. It's just me hacking it out and finding my way. After it's all done, I would then have to re-write the whole thing and fix all the weak stuff.

Then sell the movie rights for a gazillion bucks.

I Miss Slick Willie
As far as the family drama and sex parts go, (cue Jerry Springer) Smiling in the Sunshine could be a porno movie, almost, if I tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We were a pretty randy bunch, we were, when my crowd was facing forty, looking back like pirates and blasting around on sailboats and spending WAY too much time drunk and naked and goofing off in saloons where we could get away with just about anything, and often did...now we are all staring down sixty and most of us, (at least the ones still living), are in absolute denial about those days and yeah, there are some losses and broken homes and some jail time in the dust of the Clinton years. Fuck! The Clinton years! I miss 'em, I do!

So...”Smiling” is my fond look back and maybe I need to start over. I don't know. I really want to do up this piece of fiction but it is coming out...cheap? I just want a fun book with a little loss and heartbreak and triumph to come out. It's about the Fountain of Youth, after all...I've seen it, tasted its waters and shaken the hand of the Mango Man.

Or was that a dream I had...

PALEO MAN!
So anyway, folks, I'm not sure what to do, or where the readers are hiding. Meanwhile, my visits to the VA doctors have all been sorted out (after a year! Hey, it's the VA) and I'm having a whole new experience with weight loss and diet. My journal for the last few weeks has been kinda fun and I want to tell about it. Paleo Tim Joe is the thing and in ten days I have not ridden my bicycle less than thirty miles per. That's three hundred miles me darlin's! I am on my own wacky Trailer Park version of the Cave Man diet and I dropped thirteen pounds in those ten days. That got my attention, plus, I'm...excited! Probably just a manic mood swing but I want to type it up.

And the sad thing about the dogs on this morning's ride. (Three dogs, thirty-six miles).

Also, I have been formally evicted from the Park and I'm not sure about what's next with that situation...

Cheese and Whine Are Not Paleo
OK. This is not a cry for help. Wait, it is. Do I fiddle with posting the Smiling posts? They are pre-scheduled and changing that will be a bitch. But I ain't happy with the way things are going. I want to keep the Trailer Park Cyclist alive (in more ways than one) and I also want to not be a tease with the novel. I want to Keep On Smilin'! 

Make any suggestions you like. I never do what other people tell me to do, anyway. But if I don't un-schedule those posts and put this ramble up on Monday, nobody will see it. (Don't think I don't know that you only read my stuff while you're on the clock).

Thanks for listening.


Yer pal, tj

23 comments:

  1. TJ,

    Well, I for one have been enjoying reading "Smiling". After reading your blog for the last however long, I had a sneaking suspicion that those characters have roots in the real world of your past. And it comes through, gives it an immediacy and reality - like in your relating the events of that visit to LA last year.

    I'd say keep it coming. If you have other stuff to post, put it up on the days in between. Or go ahead and start another blog just for the fiction. Either way would work for me!

    That is GREAT news about your Paleo Tim diet and (especially) about getting in all those bike miles. Personally, the more I often I ride the better I feel - physically, mentally, emotionally. Cranking out the miles is like a balm to sooth away the cares of the world. Keep it up.

    Hope your physical situation resolves itself somehow, and soon. Worrying about the daily $h!t wears you down. I know you don't need a castle, but I'm sure a roof and food would be nice. Sending extra karma your way.

    Steve Z

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    1. Thanks, Steve...I think I'll just mix it up. I just don't want to confuse new readers in case any should come by.

      tj

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  2. TJ,

    I've read every blog post you've ever written here. And I'll continue to read them all as long as you keep putting them out. There's something about the stories and posts that I enjoy regardless of the topic.

    I have really enjoyed the Smiling series so far. In fact, it was the second thing I looked for today when I logged on (the first was the Tour de France results). It's got a bit of Hunter Thompson feel with the all your wild shenanigans. I hope you keep it all coming, the Whispering Pines stories, the bike rides and the book you are writing. I'll read about any of it.

    I hope your working/living situation takes a turn for the better soon. Even if it means you dont write as much. You seem to maintain a certain level of happiness in your posts, but I sense that there is a fair amount of stress underneath it all. So keep your head up and your pedals turning and life will work itself out.

    Jason from Colorado

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    1. Well, Jason, I have always tried to keep my head up and as bad as things become, I can usually squeeze a little joy out of the day. It keeps ya goin', I'll tell ya. I am really glad you enjoy the writing. Thanks, as always.

      tj

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  3. TJ,

    Personally I want to see all of Smilin'! I love your posts as there is an earthiness and grit in them that is real. Just a thought, since it is now summertime and most people are out enjoying (or trying to enjoy) outdoor activities, this may also account for a reduction in readership. Just a thought.

    Great news on the biking front, though, that you've managed over 300 miles in 10 days! Not to mention dropping the 13 lbs. to boot. I need to follow your example if I can figure out how not to die of heat exhaustion in our record temps.

    I hope things work out for you in the living and working area, sooner rather than later.

    Dan

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    1. Daniel, it is hot here too but nothing like Vegas. I once came through the Mojave in July on a 750 Honda and I have always thought I was partially mummified as result. My latest trick is to ride hard in the heat and humidity the ten miles to the Beach and hurl myself into the ocean. I pretend to swim for about ten minutes and then get out and sun dry. I'll be writing it up soon enough, I think. These are strange days for me right now.

      tj

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  4. Hmmm, I guess the thing I like to fill my "on the clock", "sitting on the john", "laying in bed for about 15 minutes before I start getting sleepy", and the occasional "got 2 minutes with nothing to do" times... is reading blogs. When I saw your first installment, I immediately thought, "Oh, I'll read this later when I have time." I never get the time. I don't really read fiction. If it's not blogs, bicycling mags, or non fiction that somehow relates to my training, I don't read it. I'm probably missing out on a lot of good stuff. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that, given the fact that I like your writing, but that was my initial reaction.

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    1. Hey Angie! Actually, your response is exactly what I was thinking myself: "Who does this guy think he is, Hans Christian Anderson? If I want bedtime stories I'll check out a book by a REAL author."

      But what if it were a work of cycling fiction, centered on a retired racer whose kid is following in his father's wheels and finds himself in trouble involving trading in EPO's? The dad has to come out of retirement to do...something...

      Would you read that?

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  5. Well your legion of fans has taken all the points I wanted to make - Damn this pacific coast time zone! To wit:

    Loving the series and will continue reading it as long you keep publishing it on your blog and of course I am always interested in your bike related endeavors.

    Great job with the Paleo and the Miles - 30 per and dropping poundage- you are DA MAN maybe I need to get off my A$$ and go to it myself. These pounds aint gonna burn themselves off.

    Finally good luck on the working living thing -send good Karma your way Velo Brother.

    Ryan

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    1. Thanks Ryan. I had a weird dream last night (a side-effect of this sudden shift in diet, probably) You and I were having a long conversation about the Smiling thing and I was trying to convince you that it sucked and you kept telling me it was great. The funny thing was in the dream we were walking down Coronado Blvd and into the Crooked Angel and pulling up stools. The beer was Oly...

      tj

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  6. TJ,
    I've not missed a single entry from you since I discovered your booger a couple of years ago. I check every morning for updates and finding one always puts a smile on my face as I'm having my morning coffee.

    Continue to keep on smiling (Nice Wet Willie reference btw) and put up your ride entries, too. Hemingway said to write what you know; I say to write what you want, too. We'll read it!

    Brian in VA

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    1. I always loved that song. I'll be by to blogjack your booger in a little while.

      tj

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  7. Hell yes I'm on the clock when I read your writings!! I agree with Jason, you have a bit of Hunter Thompson-esqe style to your writing.....are you really just fucking with us and actually live in a big ass house in Aspen and have a $500 a day drug habit???

    I'm going to read no matter the subject, whether it is your novel or your take on daily life. Your writing is fun to read and is an entertaining style that I only could dream to find in myself.

    Maybe you could write up and sell the trailer park diet plan! There is certainly plenty of trailer park residents nation-wide that might like to drop a few LB's.
    As per usual tj, I have no solutions for you, just smart-ass comments. I hope you find satisfaction and peace with how ever it turns out for you!
    Your Colorado friend and reader, Jim

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    1. How do those guys do that? I could have a $500 a day habit for about one day before I croaked. The big house in Aspen would be pretty cool. I was last there on the fourth of July in 1975. What a great memory. I have been wanting to go back ever since, but life...I have spent $500 in one day on booze and beer before, several times, in fact, but I had assistants. Plus barbecue.

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  8. Tj,
    Here is my two cents (maybe one cent) you track down all of the comments you have laid down over this beautiful thing we call the interweb. You put them all on a collective site (musings by tj) the artistic statement would be something like building a dysfunctional family one blog at a time. Listing the comment then a link back to the blog/site killing two birds with one stone. I enjoy all of your writing but truthfully I enjoy your comments the most on your own site and others as well. They are funny,passionate,well thought out and give a window into what you have really accomplished on your site. You have created a family and your comments have given a hand to many of those that have fallen. The wide variety of the sites (I assume) you comment on would be very interesting to read and would give the reader quick glimpses into other blogs via your comments. (Trailer Park Commentary)? Your reactionary writing is powerful and many of your blog jackings are post in themselves. (Musings and blog jacking) just a thought what the hell do I know. Good luck on other fronts may the force be with you.

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    1. Tohner, thanks so much. I really like your idea and as you know I do some of my most frequent jacking at your site and your sister's. (Coincidentally: non-bicycle specific Blogs. THAT'S interesting). And I would truly love to be a pro blogger and do just what you described. I comment on so many blogs of so many genres that I lose track. Political blogs back during the election; for a while I was doing a few hundred words every week on different barbecue blogs...I haven't started yet but the Paleo world is about to hear from me...it all takes time but listen, man, I'm going to cut and paste your comment and print it out and study on it. The VA asked me the other day if I was willing to be retrained outside my old career...

      By the way, congratulations again on your artwork showing up on Lloyd Khan's site! That would be like me being featured over at Huffington Post or getting something on This American Life. Dreams do come true. I am sure of it.

      tj

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  9. The brilliant thing about blogs is that no matter where you roam or where you park your bike, your blog and your blog followers are always there. Home sweet home in the digital age.

    Keep riding the bike and tapping on that keyboard...

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    1. I HOPE you guys are always there. Some days you're all I have. The future is sure to unleash even more exciting forms of communication. I often wonder why people text when they could be talking. Has the digital age ushered in the renaissance of the written word, even if it is a new and abbreviated language?

      tj

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  10. Comments? Traffic? I think I have all but killed my blog. The funny part is I don't think about it much. But, enough about me. Sorry I have been AWOL on you, TJC. It's been a different season for me and I have more or less been standing down. Mind you, not in a bad way. It's all good, just different. Let's trust I'll be back with greater repetition soon.
    Yer Pal
    Zig

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    1. You can never go AWOL on me, Agent KAZ. Yer with me all the time. Whatever this different season brings, trust that I will be the same and always ready to be your friend.

      tj

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  11. Tj, I'm constantly looking forward to the exploits of your next undertaking. I don't comment much but hopefully you can see that I've been by and appreciate your efforts.
    Your grace and effortless use of the written word is wonderful to witness. Think of a figure skater completing their routine and nailing it. If I could only....
    Keep Smiling going, it's great. From a writing perspective I've always wondered what the story looks like as it's being formed. Thanks for the education.
    As for the LA stuff, all I could do is say a prayer and hope. Thats kind of weak, but that's all I can do from here.
    Paid work may get in the way, (That's where I do my best reading) but I'll be by the TPC later this evening.
    Your friend,
    Greg

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    1. Thanks Greg D! Sometimes I am a shameless whore for comments and I hate when I do these posts that demand my readers "sign in" but I can't stop myself: I really want to be in some kind of virtual contact with you guys. The world is weird and fun but there are times when being a small part of a larger whole is bolstering and serves to keep me afloat. It's like being in the Army or part of an orchestra. Together. Together we are invincible and we make music and who knows? Somebody might dance. As in shall we dance? or Dance, Stranger!

      Either way.

      tj

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  12. I'm posting this before I read the other comments, whether that's a good thing or not, I don't know.

    My take is that it's July, and some of us have been vacationing or recovering from vacation, and hopefully that's why we're not viewing pages or commenting.

    That's what I'm using as my excuse, anyway.

    I like reading what you write, Tim Joe.

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