Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun: Recent Episodes
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Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun
Billy and Lindy wrestle with Oso's untimely motorcycle death—through music. The lyrics for 12 original companion songs are developed within the story. So, this novel rocks—literally. Welcome to my world of musical fiction—a new genre of literature. Cheers, Mark L Berry
When Oso gets yanked off his motorcycle and killed by a closed parking lot chain, Billy feels guilty for having taught him to hop curbs and shortcut traffic lights. Billy’s survivor’s guilt drags him down a spiral of excessive alcohol, one-night stands, body painting, and reckless driving. He’s now all too aware that life is short—play hard.
Meanwhile, Oso’s former girlfriend Lindy pours her grief into her new folk-rock album as she struggles with whether she can ever let herself love again. Can she turn this personal tragedy into something meaningful through her music?
Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun explores survivor’s guilt and grief through reckless adventure, a dozen original songs, and fiction. When you’ve lost someone you love, there are no easy answers. Know that you’re not alone in your struggle. Billy and Lindy are here.
Only segments of the companion songs are used, when appropriate, within this podcast. The full versions of all original songs can be heard on my website: http://marklberry.com/pushingleaves/
This novel is intended for adults. It includes some graphic language, sexual situations, and questionable behavior. Recovery from intense loss is a rough road—100 miles-per-hour on two wheels with no regard for oncoming traffic, as an example.
Episode 37 - This is a short promo for my my TWA Flight 800 memoir "13,760 Feet--My Personal Hole in the Sky" that is availabe as a 15-hour audiobook (infused with 41 original songs) on Audible.com. Kindle and paperback versions are available through Amazon.com.
Episode 36 - This is the Q & A Episode. Questions and comments from fellow podcasters Seth Harwood, Mike Bennett, Kenn Crawford; my fellow readers Alison Leston and Christopher Madden; numerous collaborative musicians who brought the companion songs of this audiobook to life; as well as listeners from near and far. I hope you liked my audiobook novel, and please check out my website: http://marklberry.com or send me an e-mail mark@marklberry.com
Huge thanks to Evo and Podiobooks.com
Epilogue: POV–Billy. Like a yearbook, what happened to everybody. Musical collage of all 12 songs. Visit my website: www.marklberry.com
Encore: Part III begins. 2 Years Later—Summer of 1988. POV–Lindy. The arena. Need I say more? Companion songs - The Family Tree and Cats
Restless Sleep: POV–Lindy. Roulette balls, organ grinders, and reaching out across the bed.
Pushing a Couple Leaves Towards the Sun: POV–Billy. Sour Mash encounter. Companion song – Pushing Leaves Towards the Sun
Next Move. POV–Lindy: Steaming chowder, Billy’s surprise creative effort, look who is doing shots of Jack, and what lies ahead. Companion song - Just Another
The Silent Treatment: POV–Billy. Jules undresses (again). Introducing Lindy to other forms of art besides music.
From a Long Way Away: POV–Lindy. An unexpected basement interview. Companion song - From a Long Way Away.
About ‘Just Dan’: POV–Lindy. Discount shopping, country-club waitresssing, and the origin of Just Dan’s name revealed.
Back in the Saddle: POV–Billy. Sunday at the Leaki Tiki, Kassi’s Diner, and someone gets back in the air.
Hey Young Lady: POV–Lindy. Companion songs - Hey Young Lady and Organized Anger (drum solo)
What About Lindy?: POV–Billy. Jules, and you are what you eat. Egg toast. Is Lindy fair game?
Spy’s Surprise: POV–Lindy. Beer-bottle label lyrics. Companion song - Man-Made Roadblocks
One Day: POV–Lindy. Live at the Fallout Shelter. Companion songs - One Day about the anger stage of grief, and Screwed at the Drive-thru that aks, "Where's the rest of my food? Dude!"
Misery Loves Company: POV–Billy. Chicken wings, breakfast cocktails, beach time, and coping strategies.
Ship of Fools: POV–Billy. The JFK roadtrip begins. Roadies from the Loco Beer Fridge. Toll booths. Periodic Captain’s reports. The crew goes missing. Preview of Man-Made Roadblocks.
The Fallout Shelter: POV–Dog. The nightclub life. Dog can’t find a date. One Down and Four Up revisited. A sneak peak at the original unplugged version of From a Long Way Away. Companion song - If I’m Only Dreaming about a ménage-a-trois gone way-wrong.
Around The Loco Beer Fridge: POV–Billy. 100 m.p.h. motorcycle Pac-Man. Back-porch gathering. Jules’ double walk of shame.
High School: POV–Lindy. Vodka and Pepsi at the Icebreaker Dance. Rock, paper, scissors.
The Battle of Breakfast: POV–Billy. Bedroom games and basement blues. Can’t Say Goodbye reprise.
Bubble Hockey: POV–Lindy. Wrestling with music and lyrics, plus an unlikely muse. Companion song - Can’t Say Goodbye
Kassi’s Diner: Part II begins. 2 Years Later—Summer of 1986. POV–Billy. The daily hangover and a stranger in bed.
Oso’s Last Ride: POV–Lindy. Oso’s BMW motorcycle, a Sony Sports Walkman, and shortcutting through a parking lot. Companion song - One Down and Four Up
Last Call: POV–Billy. The payphone inside The Fallout Shelter and broken weekend plans.
Curb Hopping: Part I begins. POV–Billy. Summer of 1984. Friday Night.Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut. Racing, death and survivor’s guilt.