Pump Up Your Book Chats with David Seaburn, author of ‘Chimney Bluffs’

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ABOUT CHIMNEY BLUFFS

When state park ranger Clancy Brisco discovers two bodies and two sacks at the bottom of 300 foot high Chimney Bluffs, he is shocked. When he discovers what is in the sacks, his life is changed forever. Chimney Bluffs is a story about the power of relationships to foster hope and enable healing.

Kate and Mitch Duncan adore their young son, Danny; when he dies unexpectedly after a brief illness, they are inconsolable. Mitch believes their only option is to join their son in the afterlife so he will not be alone; Kate agrees to Mitch’s proposal of suicide, not because she believes in the afterlife, but because she feels responsible for Danny’s death. They put two sacks in the back of their VW van, one containing their son, the other containing his toys, and go to their favorite place, Chimney Bluffs, Ice Age spires carved out of the Lake Ontario shoreline. Mitch jumps to his death; Kate lives.

Clancy and his young co-worker and friend, Bobby, are overwhelmed by what they find in the sacks. Clancy, furious at what he thinks has been the murder of a little boy, curses Kate as she lies silent on the shore.

Over the course of several months, Clancy, Bobby and Kate will not only become friends, but will live together, their private stories mingling in an unexpectedly transformative way. Clancy, the failed husband who always hoped for a family; Bobby, whose brother’s death when he was a boy destroyed Bobby’s relationship with his father; and Kate, who struggles with loss and guilt and, in the end, healing and hope.

Purchase Link:

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Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

When I was almost done with my third novel, Charlie No Face, I started thinking about my next project, something I like to do before I finish writing a novel for fear of never being able to write again! I came across an online story about a couple in England who had devoted their lives, including giving up their jobs, to making sure their son, who was disabled, had the best quality of life possible. Their son, though, was struck unexpectedly by a life threatening illness and died in a matter of days. They took their son home and a day later, after he had died, they drove to a famous cliff and leaped to their deaths.

As if that wasn’t horrific enough, the couple carried two sacks with them; one had their son; the other had his favorite toys. It was the sacks and what was in them that I couldn’t get out of my mind. I thought about the story for weeks and wondered: How did the couple come to this decision? What would have happened if one of the parents had survived? I wrote Chimney Bluffs to wrestle with those questions.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

In some ways, the very first chapter was hardest to write, because it focused on the suicide jump from Chimney Bluffs. I wanted to begin there and then have the story unfold around that incident, but it was emotionally challenging, especially writing about the little boy. When I finished the chapter, I remember pushing myself away from my desk and thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

I think that anyone who reads the book will see that the quality of close relationships plays a key role in how anyone heals from loss and is able to go forward, even if they remain wounded. Hope emerges from our connections to those around us.

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I enjoyed writing as a teenager. I was the feature editor for our school newspaper, but I wouldn’t say that I thought of myself as a writer. I was a parish minister for a time in the 1970s and early 1980s. I think writing sermons convinced me of the importance of writing as a way to make meaning. It was during that time that I first tried my hand at others forms, including short stories, songs, plays and two manuscripts (poems and essays), none of which were ever published. I left parish ministry and became a psychotherapist. I started publishing articles in journals. Eventually, I got a faculty position at a university medical center and during that phase of my career published over sixty articles and two professional books. I didn’t publish my first novel, though, until 2005.

Q: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

At this time, I am focusing exclusively on my novels. As noted, I have published other work in various forms, including creative nonfiction, which I love.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

The first and most obvious thing is to write; write regularly. Even if you are not working on something for publication, write. I have kept a journal since 1973. It is like exercise. It keeps me in shape. I would also encourage anyone who is writing to be patient, to allow things to unfold as much as possible, to trust the process, even when you feel stuck. Give it time.

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

My wife and I are retired. We live in Spencerport, NY (near Rochester). She was a public school superintendent. We have two adult daughters. One is married. She is a teacher and has two wonderful daughters. Our other daughter works in mental health with very behaviorally challenging teenage girls. Both of our daughters live in our area so we see them often. We have the privilege of watching our granddaughters at least two days per week.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

I grew up in Ellwood City, Pa., a mill town in western Pennsylvania, about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. I was the younger of two boys. My father was a salesman, often on the road. My mother was a church secretary. My brother and I were not close growing up, although we are now. My wife grew up in the same town. We started dating as seniors in high school and married right after college.

I think that my experience of losses as a youngster has had a significant effect on me as a writer. Loss is a theme that runs throughout my novels. Between the ages of eight and fifteen I experienced eleven deaths.

Of note, my third novel, Charlie No Face, is set in my hometown and includes much autobiographical data.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

Once when I was away in Norway teaching, my wife made an office for me in our finished basement. It is lined with bookshelves, some comfortable furniture, and a large desk. That is where I do most of my work. At times, though, when I need more natural light, I like to sit on the couch in our front room and write.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

As I said, we watch our two granddaughters (ages 2 and 3) at least twice a week. They are wonderful and funny and have great imaginations. They keep us young and help put things in their proper perspective. When we can, we like to travel, always a good way to set things aside for a while and look at things through entirely new lenses.

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I have an email list of well over a thousand persons that I contact with each new book. That is my starting point. I also use my newsletter, Facebook and other broad-stroke methods to get started.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Yes, I utilize Facebook, Twitter, Linked In. Sites like Pump Up Your Books, as well. I am always trying to connect with bloggers and others since that is becoming the primary way we communicate and connect.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

When my first novel came out not so long ago (2005), I spent the majority of my time trying to connect with print media, radio stations, and TV. While they remain important, they have become secondary to the methods mentioned above.

Q: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?

My publisher, Savant Books, is an excellent indie publisher but like all indie publishing houses does not have an extensive budget for promotion. Consequently, the vast majority of promotional initiatives for my book fall on my shoulders. This can be very rewarding, since I get immediate feedback from readers and others who enjoy my work. But generally, it is my least favorite thing to do as a writer.

Q: What is the most rewarding?

Writing itself is the biggest reward. Sitting at my desk working on a good sentence, or developing a character, or discovering a new idea and being able to implement it on paper—all of those are quite rewarding. Next would be interacting with people when I do a reading or attend a book group.

Q: How do you think book publishing has changed over the years?

The big change has been the emergence of ePublishing. This has given greater freedom to thousands of writers who cannot crack the New York publishing circle. It has also made it more difficult for book stores to thrive or even survive, especially the indie stores that are often most supportive of writers like me. My favorite bookstore is Lift Bridge Book Shop which actively supports local writers and readers in my area.

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

I wish for good health for my family in a world that is more sensitive and supportive of differences, a world that has also made addressing global climate change a number one priority.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

New York City, Paris or Venice.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

I would thank my family, of course, who are always supportive of my writing. I would thank former colleagues of mine at the University of Rochester Medical Center where, during my academic career, I learned what it takes to publish one’s work. I would also thank the thousands of clients I have seen over the years who taught me the importance of storytelling and story-listening.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, David. Do you have any final words?

Just thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some of these thoughts with your readers.

ABOUT DAVID SEABURN

David B. Seaburn is the author of three previous novels, including Charlie No Face, which was a Finalist for the INDIE Excellence in Books Award in 2011. Seaburn is a retired family psychologist and Presbyterian minister. Seaburn lives in Spencerport, NY; he is married and has two adult daughters and two wonderful granddaughters.

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A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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