The Autobiography of Smokin'Joe Bidloe

I honestly have no idea where to start on this comment...
My boyfriend is a songwriter & has said a couple times, 'I wish I'd written this song.'
Even though I write, I never quite understood what he meant...until now. After reading this, I get it.

I wish I'd written this book.

It's that good. I'm insanely jealous.
The entire world you created feels incredibly real. Living with a mixture of two kinds of writing, I see how well they gel. If only I'd thought of this first....... ;)
Different parts of it reminded me of many different things in life. You have included so much depth in every single part, it's amazing it's not a true story. I would easily believe it's -your- true story if you told me so..

I've only read through ch7, but that's a lot further than I normally read for the purpose of leaving a comment.
At first, I wasn't sure about the whole jumping around thing--from present to past to autobiography. But, it works. Really well, in fact. I kept trying to find something to critique, but couldn't. There were times I thought that *maybe* I'd found a particular word that didn't quite work, but after musing for a moment, I would realize that the word was, in fact, perfect.

It's really going to do you no good to have me rave on about this, but I can't seem to do anything else. I've spent the better part of my morning reading this while taking care of my sick kid. At one point, I sat back down and looked around for my book (as I always misplace them when I get up to do something), and I realized I wasn't reading an 'actual' book. I then reached for my phone, amazed.
I will be first in line to buy this -when- it is published!!
Fabulous read!!!

x -Eden*

p.s. this kinda goes without saying, but I'm shelving this and will finish what is posted

I love the song. I love the story. I loved listening to the song while I read the story. I can see how it all comes together, how the haunting melody from the soul of the song echoes into the heart of your prose. Amazing. Utterly brilliant. If I was HC I would publish this now with the Goodbye song single as an accompaniment.

I hope this gets the reward it deserves.

Lyra

My oh my....You had me at hello. I'm going to read this -- every darn page. Beautiful writing style. I'm giddy with the polish and lack of nitpicks. I am a grammar queen, and I found nothing to complain about. I was so in reader mode (not that I'd find any) I would have ignored them if I did. You are a master of the craft, and this needs to be published.

I wanted to scream when Leanne found the little $#$@4 in her bed. I figured it was a mistake, but it was still such a gut punch and you led us right to it.

Based on Chapter 1 alone. Shelved. I'll be back to critique more soon. Although, I'm not sure I'll find much.

Oh. My. God. Rocky, there are literally tears running down my face right now- and I'm not one to cry over books. This is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. You write so well, it makes me feel ashamed to call myself a writer. Of course I'm reading more of this!

~Sella

I’ve been on this site almost a year how come I didn’t find this before. I love it its an intoxicating read. Your style floats us so easily back and forth. There is a rawness in places that brings a lump to my throat. I wish you all the best with this it deserves to do well.
Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley – Please spend a moment to take a look

I’ve been on this site almost a year how come I didn’t find this before. I love it its an intoxicating read. Your style floats us so easily back and forth. There is a rawness in places that brings a lump to my throat. I wish you all the best with this it deserves to do well.
Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley – Please spend a moment to take a look

Smokin', Rocky Lastinger, you've got some hilarious rockin' stuff here in your bio of Joe Bidloe -- great story, great names, and great references...smokin' Americana.

Backed and best.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

Dear Rocky
this book is so funny in places. I dont know how it got by me when I first came on this site but i am so happy i found it. Your book cover is amazing as is your long pitch. Yes you have crafted an original story here that has me on the edge and with humor.CONGRATS...I will carry on reading and comment further on as I would like to get this book of yours backed to assist it on the climb to the top.
Backed for sure my me. ..I would really appreciate it if your would look at my book, COMMENT , and back it. If not that is OK also
The VERY best of luck with your book

Denise
The Letter

Rocky,

First of all, you hook me with the RockStar because I have a 20 yr old son who is not much of a reader unless there is the RockStar element. I think he is not totally unique. I love books that bring in an element attracting new readers.
It is an exciting plot with twist....I love it!
Excellent writing.
I hope this story reaches the bookshelves.
*****
Good Luck!
Backed!
Sammy Sutton
King Solomon's '13'

Thanks for this enjoyable, surprisingly touching read for such a hip story line. Backed enthusiatically. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

Greetings Rocky!

Kudos on The Autobiography of Smokin' Joe Bidloe! I dig the rock and roll vibe injected into the storyline, and the vivid imagery you utilize is terrific- the apparition of Freckle Snoot before she dissipates immediately comes to mind. All the best with your manuscript! Backed.

Teric Darken

(K - I - L - L FM 100: "Music to Die For!")

Backed January 13.

Jesse - Savant

http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=14062

rockin'

you ain't been around for a while....

anyway...

BACKED

Rocky, terrific writing, and even better story. Both main ingredients are right there. Love the line "...inevetable tear forms and begins its sparkling glide down her cheek". Beginning of first chapter grabs you from the get go, and their is no escaping the hook at the end of it. I saw a few sentences that might have been a bit tighter, but that's just a subjective POV. This has been one of my most enjoyable reads so far. Shelved.
Thomas J Winton (Beyond Nostalgia)

The subject of this book is both moving and chilling, and it's unusual as well. You begin with some really striking scenes. The wife, Leanne, appears at the bench, and very soon it's clear that she's a ghost. 'He feels the familiar icy chill as he senses her approach.' The build up to Smokey's last song, and Leanne's plea to him, 'Please don't do this,' grab us at once. Then there's the scene where Leanne finds him in bed with Minda, and finally her appearance at the concert, 'somehow I could see right through her and into the crowd.' This just gets better and better. You convey the atmosphere you want simply and cleanly. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Fascinating premise and structure. As implied in your copyright, I think this might best serve as a screen play--lots of powerful emotion. Backed.
Niobrara Kardnova (The Trouble with Wives)

Rocky, don't want to get too heavy, but it seems to me the to and fro of time enhances the poignancy - in the midst of life being in death, so to speak. I think you're an astonishing writer. Shelved. Lynn

Rocky

Well, I cant believe I haven't come across this before.....Likely I have and am just to senile to remember....It really is a cracking read...Brilliantly crafted......

'seemed' to solidify
'seemed' to sigh............ the apparition did solidify and he did sigh........'seemed' implies may or may not have happened......I didnt notice before that point, but do a word check,,, it might be a habit you've got......I was addicted to 'little' my ms was infested .....

Do you receive a smile ???? tweeked my mind, not sure I liked that phrase.....

No more nits.... Congratulaitons....Shelved with pleasure. .

What a delightful premise to a book. It was your title that caught my eye initially. But your writing and this idea is simply teasingly delectable to me. it is a wee feast for my eyes.
i loved it.
There is such a weaving plot that I was sucked in from the word GO!
This is well thought out. I am pleased, ever so pleased, that I stopped by.
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

I can see why this has already been scripted. Tremendous, poignant, heart-stirring. The writing? Scott Fitzgerald has nothing to teach you. Nor does Ernest Hemingway. Classy.
Frank

This is the kind of writing that makes me forget that I'm actually reading. I don't have to take the words from the page, they have already jumped right out at me and are making their way in an orderly fashion into my brain all by themselves. I love so much how you can do this. If I could ever find the secret, I'd be a baziliionaire. Until then, I shall just have to sit here, in my house, rocking gently whilst muttering jealous words under my breath about people like you.

Andrew

I love this, nothing more to say!

Shelved.

Jo xx

Spoilt, Fire Starter, Charlottesville and The Mystic Garden

I'm definitely intrigued enough to want to finish this book...and to shelve it. The writing is smooth and the story flows really well. The story doesn't disappoint after reading your pitch.

Just one possible nit: POV...you seem to slip out of it at the beginning of c.2. Easy to fix.

Cheers,
Sheryl (comment on mine? Backing optional)

This is truly an amazing story. Well written I don't know what to say but it is poetic forces in motion moving me through your story. I love the idea. You have great dialogue, innter thought and give great detials that set up the story form the very beginning. I like your short bursts in chapter one. It flows rather quickly to chapter two and on. Well done!

This is going on my bookshelf!!

Yesterday (thursday, june 4th) my mother and I ordered the monument headstone. It was for both of them, even though she's still here. One side will be arched, with his first name and dates, and also a large carved oak tree, hers will be an adjoining heart with her name, date of birth, and a set of stemmed roses. Another point of finality.

I have made great strides through the will of God, and with my father's help, getting things rolling with the insurance and making certain my mother is taken care of. He didn't expect to go this soon, but he left me notes on his computer, and his will was helpful. We continue to be very proud of him and his work. It helps to know that so many here valued his writing and his comments on the work of others. I'm finding more and more, that he spent an incredible amount of his free time studying and reworking his books, even the one he got published. Until the insurance pays, money is beginning to thin, and I'm afraid I will be contacting the webhost for his website, Rockylastinger.com, to see about taking the site down. Thanks again for all the support and love.

Stephan Lastinger
Son of the author

Hi Rocky

Just finished the opening chapter and I though it was great. I can't fault it at all. Well done, I'm very impressed, will shelve this and read the rest as soon as I can.

David

Rocky,

It is odd, coming back to Authonomy after a few weeks off for the birth of my child, to find a message from a fellow aspiring author awiaitng me. I read your message, of how Alas Babylon is one of your all time faves too, and how you'd really liked me to check out one of your books; "The Autobiography of Smokin' Joe Bidloe". I immediately navigated over, and read the first few chapters, only to find you have passed away. What a strange feeling! Would you have been a friend and mentor? Would I have appreciated your feedback on my own aspirations? In this life I suppose I shall not know--and yet, as one who believes in the afterlife, your book and your passing bear a strange symmetry--that all of us will one day make the journey into the afterlife (whatever it is), the key to it feels to be in how we lived our lives here.

Thank you Rocky for your message, and your book. May you rest in peace.

-Jay

Great. All the previous comments tell the story. A really enjoyable read with a fantastis writing style.

Hi Rocky,
It's too early in the day for me to come up with some insightful comments about your book. But I look for originiality, style, humour and a good voice. I found all of those in your writing and considering your ranking, everyone else has too! You're on my shelf, you're on a deserved rise. Good luck with it! Charlotte P (A past)

I really like this. But I don't get all of it.

The opening chapter isa real meat hook. How anyone can stop after chapter 1 is a mystery to me. Yet, after reading chapter 6 and 7, I have to say that the layers of stories and ghosts and so on get a little complicated for me, read on a computer screen. I think I need a paper copy to really appreciate your writing fully.

Time. Peace. Your book. Sounds like a great way to spend a long weekend. So what are you waiting for to publish this thing? Oh, and the soundtrack that goes with it.

Deborah

The pic he posted is many years out of date. but that is how we always saw him. The gray and white hair doesn't register, to those who knew and loved him. The actual picture was from a trip we took to California (sic) when I was not even a teenager. I'm 35 now. it included myself and my mother, but it was one of the better pics of him, and we are so very proud of him for staying on the weekly top 5 and still climbing in the total ranks. We have started receiving sympathy cards from some here, and we thank all who honor him. The approval of his peers in the art of writing would mean more to him than all the awards he got over the years selling Insurance.

The response has been truly astounding. having read some of the finished book, and also The Tear Harvester, which included excerpts from The Autobiography, I can honestly say that you haven't seen anything yet. If the editors select Dad's work for possible publishing, I'll see to it that his book gets out there.

Stephan Lastinger

Stephen,

I just read your tribute to your dad--and I just care about you and your family so much. Your dad's photo is etched in my mind--his smile. Thank you for sharing about his funeral and your mother's lock of hair. That make my heart just cry. I also lost my husband at a young age, 55. The kids, like you, were so devastated and have such fine memories.
My prayers are with you.

Muriel, Debbie 14 k's mom

I'm really sorry this man dies. I'll back it if it helps.

I just joined Authonomy. I'm floating around the site, looking for the first books for my shelf, trying to read as much as possible as quickly as possible. I'm skimming, terribly ruthless really, a few paragraphs and I skip on. But your first chapter grabbed me. The writing stood out, smooth, descriptive, clean. The hook is a powerful one. As soon as I can I'll read on. In the meantime, you're already on my shelf.

Will be sadly missed. :c

Thank you for sharing about your father's funeral with us. He was loved so dearly here, for his kindness and encouragement. He will be missed by all who had even the smallest contact with him.

May music fill his ears forever,
~Cheri

Sorry for the double post, don't know why it is doing that, I only submitted it once

It looks like Dad's book is hanging onto the top spot in the weekly row. We are all proud of him, and I want everyone here to know what kind of man he was. He was my hero. It was a rare time that I can remember him having anything truly negative to say about anyone. He taught me so much about life... how to be a good husband, how never to go to bed angry with someone. How to laugh at myself. How to love. how to share.

At some point, I'll post his eulogy, as I wrote it, with help from his brother. From the hour I learned of his passing, to the day we laid him to rest, it rained almost constantly, but the morning we got up to view him and honor his memory at the funeral, the rain stopped and the sun came out. The only thing that gave us a hard time was a bit of wind, but I didn't even mind that. I was born in March, and have always loved the wind. It made me think maybe he was there, and a group of angels had escorted him down to be with us, the wind coming from their wings.
We had nearly 60 guests arrive, some family I've never met, and many of his friends I remembered from years gone by. His casket was charcoal gray with silver handrails, and he was buried in the last clothes he wore to work. Copies of his first book, " The Tear harvester", were given out, and The preacher who married my wife and my self officiated the service. At viewing, we lined up and placed white roses in the casket with him, and my mother, who never cut her hair at his request, laid a lock of it in his hands, tied with a blue ribbon, his favorite color. Both his brother and I eulogized him, with his sister reading a beautiful poem she had written. He had asked me many times over the years to play "Songbird" by Kenny G. at his funeral. It was played at the beginning of the service, and his Goodbye song from the website was played at the end.
All who attended said only good things about him, and everyone praised the way we honored his last wishes and his memory. My mother's illness drained her and she opted to stay with her sister in the inn where we stayed the night before the funeral, while my wife and I returned home to tend to our pets. Saturday was another rainy time of reflections, as I visited my mother at home, spending a bit of time cleaning out Dad's car before the showers made it impossible to continue, then working in the house to fix some plumbing issues, before heading home for the night. Today (Sunday) Mom is resting at home with her sister, and I'm taking a mental veg day, cooking a lazagna, and planning to try to go enjoy the movie " Angels and Demons" this evening at the local theater. I'm going to fill out papers tomorrow to get grievance time off from work for a few weeks to handle dad's affairs, and to make certain mom gets to her doctor's appointments. Grief will not let up overnight, but life goes on, and we all must celebrate it in whatever way suits us as individuals.
I thank each one of the people here that are continuing to celebrate my father's artistry and prose. Live, Love, and Learn.

Stephan Lastinger

It looks like Dad's book is hanging onto the top spot in the weekly row. We are all proud of him, and I want everyone here to know what kind of man he was. He was my hero. It was a rare time that I can remember him having anything truly negative to say about anyone. He taught me so much about life... how to be a good husband, how never to go to bed angry with someone. How to laugh at myself. How to love. how to share.

At some point, I'll post his eulogy, as I wrote it, with help from his brother. From the hour I learned of his passing, to the day we laid him to rest, it rained almost constantly, but the morning we got up to view him and honor his memory at the funeral, the rain stopped and the sun came out. The only thing that gave us a hard time was a bit of wind, but I didn't even mind that. I was born in March, and have always loved the wind. It made me think maybe he was there, and a group of angels had escorted him down to be with us, the wind coming from their wings.
We had nearly 60 guests arrive, some family I've never met, and many of his friends I remembered from years gone by. His casket was charcoal gray with silver handrails, and he was buried in the last clothes he wore to work. Copies of his first book, " The Tear harvester", were given out, and The preacher who married my wife and my self officiated the service. At viewing, we lined up and placed white roses in the casket with him, and my mother, who never cut her hair at his request, laid a lock of it in his hands, tied with a blue ribbon, his favorite color. Both his brother and I eulogized him, with his sister reading a beautiful poem she had written. He had asked me many times over the years to play "Songbird" by Kenny G. at his funeral. It was played at the beginning of the service, and his Goodbye song from the website was played at the end.
All who attended said only good things about him, and everyone praised the way we honored his last wishes and his memory. My mother's illness drained her and she opted to stay with her sister in the inn where we stayed the night before the funeral, while my wife and I returned home to tend to our pets. Saturday was another rainy time of reflections, as I visited my mother at home, spending a bit of time cleaning out Dad's car before the showers made it impossible to continue, then working in the house to fix some plumbing issues, before heading home for the night. Today (Sunday) Mom is resting at home with her sister, and I'm taking a mental veg day, cooking a lazagna, and planning to try to go enjoy the movie " Angels and Demons" this evening at the local theater. I'm going to fill out papers tomorrow to get grievance time off from work for a few weeks to handle dad's affairs, and to make certain mom gets to her doctor's appointments. Grief will not let up overnight, but life goes on, and we all must celebrate it in whatever way suits us as individuals.
I thank each one of the people here that are continuing to celebrate my father's artistry and prose. Live, Love, and Learn.

Stephan Lastinger

This seems like a beautiful and powerful book. I am keen to read more, and from the few chapters I have read, I happily add this to my shelf. (And not just because my cat is named Smokey). The atmosphere of the first chapters is fantastic- tripping from ghostly and eeire to real-world and active.

Having posted my comments earlier, I've just been informed by another Authonomy member of Rocky's death, and I've now caught up with the other comments and with Stephan's message. Sincere condolences to family and friends; Rocky was obviously a very special person as well as an extremely talented writer of both songs and fiction. I'm confident that his work will live on; if I leave something half as good as this when I go, I'll go happy.

Have just started this, and can only agree with all the other positive comments you've received. Great idea for a story, great time frame to work it out in; beautiful lyrics, believable dialogue and settings. I feel that the whole thing will get richer and deeper as it goes along, and look forward to a real treat. My only slight negative is a nitpick - when he's leaning over Leanne in her coffin, you say that his tears 'drift' down - that just doesn't sound right for the way tears travel, even if there's something surreal going on. It was just a tiny hiccup in my otherwise rapt reading. Very best of luck with this - fingers crossed for your success
Katie

Staying on my shelf until it gets published. End of.

Even though I am an atheist, and as I keep saying, Rocky - you will live on in your work and in our memories of you. Sleep easy buddy.

Martin.

Dear Stephan,

You sound just as kind and caring as your dad. From the beginning, I loved his book and loved his face--so kind--though I didn't know him personally.

My heart is with you, and I pray that God will comfort you.

Yours,

Muriel and Debbie 14

Hi Stephen,

Your father was one of the first to welcome me here and we exchanged reads then. I'm an admirer of his work was was thrilled to find it on Amazon. Best wishes to you all. ~Barb

Sorry to hear about what happened. Wishing this book the best, KJ

I just read Rocky's son's posting. Only was acquainted with Rocky for about a week but he made me feel welcome here and gave me hints about the little cheeries, and how to enlarge the print for easier reading and told me to ask any question of him that I needed. If I could have reached him, I would have hugged him.... and he would have been kind about that also. At my age, enlarging print is important; how did he know? Bless his heart. He will be so missed. I hope his book reaches the viewing. And I know he has already leaned to 'fly'.
My heart goes out to his family.

I am the son of Rocky Lastinger. Thank you to all who helped boost his writings to the top spots. By now, many of you know that my father passed away. I was contacted though his business phone, by two of the poster/authors of this community who knew him here. They informed me that someone, who I have yet to identify, registered an anonomous account here and posted news early this week of his passing. These are the facts: He passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, May 17th. He was discovered my his great-niece, who he concidered a daughter, who was staying at my parents' home, at about 1 in the afternoon. It was not uncommon for him to sleep late. The cause of death was an undiagnosed heart disease. He is being laid to rest in The cemetary he chose, in the town where he lived since 1987. the funeral is set for Friday, May 22nd. Of those who contacted me, one, Toby, was given an address, Po. box 90353 Gainesville, Fl. 32607, where simpathy cards may be sent, care of the Lastinger Family.
We appreciate the outporring of love, support, and respect for my father and his literary work that has come from this community, and I will follow the status of his rankings here. We are proud of him, and I know he is honored by all of your comments. Thank you for your prayers in our time of need, they are helping.

sincerly;
Stephan D. Lastinger

P.S. the Goodbye song featured on his website WILL be played at his funeral. We believe it to be appropriate, and we will get to hear his voice again...... he sang the vocals himself for that song, and he wrote and copywrited it.

I am the son of Rocky Lastinger. Thank you to all who helped boost his writings to the top spots. By now, many of you know that my father passed away. I was contacted though his business phone, by two of the poster/authors of this community who knew him here. They informed me that someone, who I have yet to identify, registered an anonomous account here and posted news early this week of his passing. These are the facts: He passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, May 17th. He was discovered my his great-niece, who he concidered a daughter, who was staying at my parents' home, at about 1 in the afternoon. It was not uncommon for him to sleep late. The cause of death was an undiagnosed heart disease. He is being laid to rest in The cemetary he chose, in the town where he lived since 1987. the funeral is set for Friday, May 22nd. Of those who contacted me, one, Toby, was given an address, Po. box 90353 Gainesville, Fl. 32607, where simpathy cards may be sent, care of the Lastinger Family.
We appreciate the outporring of love, support, and respect for my father and his literary work that has come from this community, and I will follow the status of his rankings here. We are proud of him, and I know he is honored by all of your comments. Thank you for your prayers in our time of need, they are helping.

sincerly;
Stephan D. Lastinger

P.S. the Goodbye song featured on his website WILL be played at his funeral. We believe it to be appropriate, and we will get to hear his voice again...... he sang the vocals himself for that song, and he wrote and copywrited it.

Sorry I never knew you.
Shelved on merit

Hi,
I don't really know how to put how i feel about this book into words but all I can say is that it is written fantastically, the song made me cry just reading it. You have a very good talent and I hope you reach the top five and get it published. Will be back to finish the book. Shelved indefinately.
Tasha.

For Rocky ~ I never knew you, but I know you're watching over your book, knowing it'll help your family now. They must be so proud of you, and my heart goes out to them. You've left a piece of yourself, and it's a work of art that'll be around forever - winning prizes if there's any justice! Your writer's voice is unique.

You'll be with us for a very long time - and in case you're furious you can't physically sign the thing, here's a laugh... All together now... Shelved!!!

Bless, from Kay xxx

Rocky -- you had a talent that will be sincerely missed. I truly loved this work of art. Your family is in my prayers.

Kendra

Harper Collins -- if you are out there.....please review this book. Please.

I read The Autobiography of Smokin' Joe Bidloe some time ago, and I loved it, and I wrote to Rocky and said so, and he wrote back saying he liked mine, and sent me a lovely comment to boot. After that, I kept coming across his comments when I trawled other parts of this site, and I was amazed at his generosity, his detail, his clarity. I wished I could have written the sorts of comments he wrote. In short, I was envious.

My own belief, for what it's worth, is that there is a life beyond this one. No-one dies. Not really. We're just separated for a while.

I'm fairly alone in that belief. But I'm a teacher of Religious Studies. I've been teaching the subject for twenty-odd years. And I've got a DPhil in Philosophy, and I've taught the philosophy of mind to Advanced level, and I know all our 'brightest' philosophers tell us mind is brain, humans are machines, etc.

I've thought about all that. And I'm not dissing what the brightest philosphers - Dennett, Pinker, Parfitt, etc - say.

But I know what I know. And I may be wrong. And this doesn't come from ANY religious belief of mine, ie, something I OUGHT to feel. But I don't feel death is the end. And I don't think Rocky's dead. At least, not ultimately.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

Bren Verrill.