List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

This will take a while, so get comfy, I’ve got a story to tell you about the last book I ever read and why.

It was more than 15 years ago that I met Pete  Conrad, he wrote the Suicide Flowers, the book, and the script.

When I met Pete,  I was using the name The Movie Whore. I wrote a film blog.

I’ve been using WordPress for close to 20 years.

Pete had an interview with Bruce Campbell, Evil Dead, the original, Ash vs The Evil Dead, that guy.  I was a fan of B.C. I used to go to his website frequently.

I put the interview up, and Pete and I became friends.

He sent me an autographed copy of The Suicide Flowers. I read it and fell in love with his work.

The story centered around a rock star nearing the end.  He does this publicity thing to meet a dude who has luekimia. He was a fan.

Throughout the book one can see it was a tale of personal strife. 

Pete’s cousins are Robert and Michael Cummings, better known as Rob Zombie and Spider from Powerman 5000.

Rob has zero contact with his family.  He doesn’t even talk to his brother.  Talks to his parents, and that’s about it.

Now, this was more than 15 years ago. Things may have changed.

Once I read the book, I started editing the script.  I became Pete’s editor. No pay, but I loved what I did.

Now, we were working to get this thing made, the script.

We went down to Hollywood. I saw the Great Kali, wrestler, and I got to meet Spider.

There was some shit that happened that was my responsibility,  well, we had this dinner.

After dinner I was standing outside the place next to The Troubadour, a rock bar. I was smoking a cigarette and Spider was telling me about this thing he and Pete were going to.

Then I said I’m from Chico,  and Spider got animated as fuck.

Told me how he almost died in Chico. I’m a telepath, I knew the moment he said it, what the punch line was.

I was an ass to him. I’ve apologized many times.

This story is why I never read another book unless I was editing for Pete.  Then I wrote my own books and I had a wonderful mentor.

Thank you for everything Pete Conrad, know you’re loved by many. Know you’re blessed and be excellent to prove it.