Jumping back in and Behind the Song release day

Well, summer is disappearing and fall is filtering in. That means school is starting and my schedule finally gets back to normal. I do love being with my kids, but a schedule change is nice too.
It also means buckling down and getting some writing done. I'm still struggling on my fantasy. The thing is I don't have the heart to give it up. I like the darkness of it. It's a manuscript I work on here and there.

I do have some new ideas, but the characters seem a bit shy about showing me too much of who they are. This is what I should be focusing on. New stuff. The problem is my brain has other ideas. See below.

The one thing I will be tackling is a revision of a manuscript I wrote long ago. I can't get it out of my head, and once I figured out what the first chapter should be, I'm now hooked on making this book shine.  It has aliens, teen problems, and a little romance. Are some of those cliché? Probably, but you know what? I don't care. I'm writing this book for me. I have no intention of doing anything with it other than to use it to strengthen my writing skills. I need to work on something that has no rules because that is what keeps getting in the way. It keeps me questioning things and it brings on fear. This book is purely for me to have fun.

I started listening to the playlist I made for it way back when.  Here are some great tunes that fit this book.

-Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight
-Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups
-I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
-Come Alive by Foo Fighters
-Knights of Cydonia by Muse
-No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand
-Tick Tick Boom by The Hives
-Get Free by The Vines
-Shadowplay by The Killers
-Mad World by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews

There's more but I think you get it. I need music to write. I've said it before that I have a playlist for every idea I have come up with. I'm not kidding. These songs are a little dated because that's when I started this manuscript. It actually feels good to play this list and the feelings come back again.

Another thing I'm excited for is this:
https://www.kmwalton.com/behind-the-song-hold



It is edited by the lovely K.M. Walton. Who is awesome! Congrats Kate!
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

A song to match everyone's heartbeat.
A soaring melody, a pulse-pounding beat, a touching lyric: Music takes a moment and makes it a memory. It’s a universal language that can capture love, heartbreak, loss, soul searching, and wing spreading—all in the span of a few notes. In Behind the Song, fourteen acclaimed young adult authors and musicians share short stories and personal essays inspired by the songs, the albums, the musicians who move them.
So cue up the playlist and crank the volume. This is an anthology you’ll want to experience on repeat.

There are so many amazing people in this anthology. It is released today! So go and get it!


So what are you reading?

What are you working on?

Have a great day!

Good old music

I'm on a roll this week. Two posts, look out. :)

As you all know, music is vital to my writing. Certain songs will entice movie-like scenes to appear in my head that usually spark a story. So, I have playlists for every story/manuscript I've written. And it's not one or two songs, it's a lot, we're talking soundtrack.

Over the weekend, I heard a song from my playlist for the first novel that I ever finished. I could see it as clear as day (don't think I'm crazy). I still love that manuscript. Sure, it was my first and all that, but when I see it in my head, I feel it again. It's a book that I shelved and one that I intend to dust off and look at again, one day.

In a way, this thought makes me feel happy cause I'm proud of it and the characters spoke very clearly to me. I know, I'm sounding crazy again. Wait, you're writers so you know what I mean. It's that giddy like feeling where a smile spreads on your face and comfort warms your heart. Okay, I'm getting mushy. First novels have a way to make you feel this way. Because they are your first and it was an exciting adventure. Some people have told me this and it's true, but my first novel is buried in me. It keeps holding on and reminds me of what it could be one day. Yes, I thought about this over the weekend because one song from this book's soundtrack played on the radio. Sigh.

But other things need to be finished before I can revisit the past. I'm focused on my latest manuscript and can't wait to finish this revision. The soundtrack is awesome, if I do say so myself. As soon as I put on the songs, things fall into place and it feels pretty good. *fingers crossed* Yes, I'm still scared to death for anyone to read it. It's that whole everything-I-write-is-crap mentality and the little bug called doubt except I'm starting to learn how to harness the little sucker. I'm getting there.


Working on anything new?

What sparks your muse?

Have a great day!!

It's amazing what music can do.

Music can set off a feeling, influence a mood or inspire an idea. You know it when you watch a movie, TV show, etc. If you turn down the music sometimes the whole scene can fall flat. It really doesn't feel the same. Music, as you know, is a huge inspiration to me. Almost all my ideas are sparked by a song. It just happens.

Music can also calm and heal. I believe it. Let me tell  you why. A good friend of mine believes that every time she's down, or she's discouraged the song "Lightning Crashes" by Live will play. She's convinced. At first, I was like, yeah right, but then I witnessed it. Something was bothering her and when we got in the car. The song played. Sure could be coincidence, but I witnessed it on a number of occasions over the course of years (long after the song was popular).

It also happens to me. Call it what you will, but every time I feel discouraged or defeated "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World comes on the radio. Every time. Serious. When it first started happening the song was popular, but it's still happening years later. Now, I know you are going to say it's all in my head, blah, blah. Maybe, I'm just reaching for anything, but it feels me with hope and I carry on.

Does this happen to you or am I the only one who might have some reaching-for-anything issues?

I'm going to be in my posh cave for a while. I may be back on Monday, but I need to go and focus. :) Happy weekend!!

FYI--If you click the link to the Jimmy Eat World video, um, I don't go to parties like that. :)

Do you have a song for your MCs?

So, I'm writing away. In fact, I don't want to stop. I even want to start revising the other WIP. I must concentrate on one at a time, right? As with everything I write, I have soundtracks that inspire me, and help me see my characters. You all know this. Since I write a lot of romance, okay, who am I kidding, pretty much everything I write has romance in it, my couples seem to have their song.

You  know when you're in a relationship and there's that one song that seems to define you as a couple. After you're married, you still have that one song too. You know "that" song, the song that made the stars glow extra bright, and made the world stand still as you and your love stare at each other in a dreamy state.

Sorry, I got away from myself. Anyway, my MCs, yeah, those couples have songs too. Okay, maybe it's just me, but I do have songs for them. No, I'm not crazy. At least, I don't think so. :) But I do have songs that put my sweet little couples in that dreamy state when they look at each other.

For my WiP #1 Ian and Anna's song --I will follow you into the dark by Death Cab for Cutie. You can check it out here. I'm not sure if it will work you tube was a pain this morning. Yeah, it's a little morbid, but it fits them, perfectly. Since this has been the longest story I've been working on, these two have two songs. The other-- Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight.



It totally gives me the chills and makes the characters appear to me in a very real, and I mean real, visual.


For my WiP #3 Will and Livie's song--The Cave by Mumford and Sons. This fits them perfectly, and it fits the feel of the story.


For my WiP #4 Graham and Sadie's Song--Modern Love by Bloc Party. I'm such a sucker for british rock, especially indie. Since I'm working on this one right now, I've been groovin' to a lot of punk rock and indie british rock. I've been a fan of Bloc Party for a while and love them to pieces. This totally fits the feel of this story, and, boy, do they rock.



All my soundtracks are in my music tab above. If you've been following me for a while, you know music is a huge, really humongous, inspiration to my writing. That's probably why I like to talk about it so much.

Do you have any songs that totally fit your MCs, making it their song?

I hope to have an awards post Friday. I've been on a roll with writing so that seems to take up a lot of my time, when I have it.

Have a great day!

Thinkin' high school

 

I think many of you have been thinking of high school lately. I've read two posts over the course of a few weeks that takes us back to those years. It got me thinking of my awkward teenage days. My new WiP has me thinking of it, too. I have a skater boy in it, and being that skater boys peaked my interest way back when (I married one), I couldn't help but think of the music that I listened to then. Since music is a huge part of my writing, I needed some skater angst to listen to.

I did start listening to Blink 182 again. Yes, I know not fully skater boy music, in fact, they probably would laugh at me, but for some reason it helps my characters show themselves. Plus, I have a crush on Tom Delonge (don't judge). Sure, I could pull out some Fugazi, Minor Threat, and newer band, Thursday, but I'll start out slow.

I also started to think about what I listened to in high, and not much has changed. I still listen to a lot of the same stuff. I still go see Depeche Mode in concert. Yes, they are old, still tour, but mix their old stuff with their new stuff. Joy Division was another favorite. "Love will tear us apart" makes me stop and zone out. The Cure (robert smith still wears his hair the same way.  I thought he would've lost it), and bauhaus (never disappoint). Going to Philly, catching a show at the Trocadero, cruising South Street to stop at Zipper head--were the typical weekends. Okay, I admit, I wore a lot of black and most of my friends had different colored hair, but I wouldn't change it. It was fun.

I do try and keep up with music, because I love it so. My soundtracks above show the stuff that gives me goosebumps when the first note is played. Silversun Pickups, Civil Twilight (major goosebumps), Mumford and Sons, and Muse have been repeated so much that my kids now request them. Except Mumford and Sons for language purposes. These bands have helped me see my characters, allowing me to bring them to life.
So, what am I getting at? Thinking back, taking a moment to cringe at what I wore, but savor some of the memories that I want to remember. Sorry, I'm not posting a high school photo. I may save that for another day. :) It's funny how a character that I made up, could bring back so  many memories.

Oh and I'm not discussing how long I've been out of high school. You probably could figure that out on your own. ;)
What did you listen to in high school?

Any funny high school moments?

Have a great day!

What would your soundtrack be?

I love music. Most of you know this. I took piano lessons when I was a kid but never stuck with it. I try to sing in the privacy of my own home and I can hear dogs howling miles away. So not really great at actually producing music just love listening to it. Anyone who is good at it --kudos --I highly respect you.  ***hands clapping***

Music can set a mood. Just watch a movie and listen to the background. If you took it away--it would probably be boring. Not that actors don't do a good job.  It's just adds something more to the scene. Another thing I'm so not good at--acting.  Tried that in high school too--it didn't turn out so well.

My brother is great at both --yea I'm jealous of him. jealous.

Anyway, music.

It is vital to my creative process. Everything I have written has a soundtrack. When I hear the songs that gave birth to the characters in my head--I can feel them, hear them, see them. It's almost scary. The soundtrack to my current WiP is listed over there ===> (on the sidebar). I would hope (I'm dreaming here) if my WiP was ever loved by an agent, and published that maybe if there was ever a movie deal (see told you-- dreaming here)-- that some of these songs better be on the soundtrack.

So, I thought I would point out the most important songs. The songs that still give me chills and let me see, feel and hear my characters vividly.

 1. Panic Switch--Silversun Pickups.  (song #12 on my playlist). This is the song that struck me with the whole idea. The rest of the album Swoon pretty much help write many chapters, along with Carnavas (another album of theirs). I'm in love with this band. I guess their recent album's name sums it up--Swoon. :)

2.Quiet in my Town and Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight.  Another band I'm in love with. My CPs know my Chapter 3 and well Quiet in My Town is what played when I wrote it. Letters from the Sky just puts me in a zone (eyes glare over) because I can see my MC so clearly --it's scary. Two other songs are inspiring on this album. Human (#44 on the playlist) --which I'm writing a chapter to now and Next to Me (#38 on the playlist). The rest of the album is great too.  Quiet in my Town (#1 on my playlist) and Letters from the Sky (#11 on my playlist). The links I gave you --You may have to hit play or just go to their website http://civiltwilightband.com/

3. I will follow you into the dark--Death Cab for Cutie-- (song #28 on my playlist) This band in general has way too many songs to choose from for this WiP, but this song would describe my MCs to a "T". I don't want to say too much about this one. Gives too much away.

4. M79-Vampire Weekend. (song #11 on my playlist) O.k. I will admit part of my initial attraction to this band was their name. Now, I'm a full blown fan. Absolutely love them and this song helped a very cute chapter.

5.Knights of Cydonia-Muse. (song #21 on my playlist). This band is just awesome. This song sparked a huge scene which I can't say too much about. Many of their other songs do help too. Hysteria being one of them. (song #24 on the playlist).

So there are the major players. The other songs over there remind of my MCs and all the other characters that invade my brain. All of the songs set the mood for my current WiP. I put where they are at on my playlist if the links don't work.

On some of the links you may have to press play (not to buy the song-- just to listen) or you can find it on my playlist.

 Since I'm posting M/W/F this will be up for a couple of days. This week is also hectic cause I have family stuff so it may be up a little longer. ***I thought you guys can post any songs that you would love on your soundtrack (particularly for your story). Either post them in the comments below or post about it on your blog and leave the link in the comments below. I would love to check it out. I'm a music lover of all kinds of music so don't be shy. :)

Also, I missed out on Arlee Bird's many blogfests and blog hops. A lot of them about music. Sorry. I hope to join in on one soon. I think he may have one going on now. Check out his blog.

Hope you have a great day!

What sparks creativity?

After yesterday's post, I am assuming that most of you don't like the pretty boys.  Oh well, you know more about me now. I decided to do a another fun and not so serious post.  When I don't have much to say I usually wind up not talking or talking about random things. So here is a random post--I didn't have much to say today (believe it or not).

Quotes. I love quotes and many of you post so many inspirational ones. I not only love quotes from authors and poets but song lyrics --yes I said song lyrics.  As you may or may not know music is a huge part of my writing process.  There are some songs that make me see my characters so clearly I can almost feel what they  feel, and hear their voices--bascially see everything through their eyes (not sure if that is really weird or not).

I had a vision (as I call them and no I am not psychic) and chills when I heard this song a few months back.  I had to get the CD.  It is called "Letters from the Sky" by Civil Twilight.  I put the link there to their website but you just need to listen to the song. It may have been on a few teen dramas in the past but when I heard it and even when I listen to it now it gives me chills.

Why you ask?I can see a particular scene for my WIP play out so vividly, I am almost scared by it. I can even feel everything my Anna is going through.  I hope to write it out and put it on here so you can understand what I mean (I hope).  This song is also in my playlist on the right. I think my playlist is in shuffle mode so you may have to skip around.

If you have the time and are interested in my crazy thought process, you can listen to "Quiet in my Town" by Civil Twilight.  It is the first song in my playlist on the sidebar and read the first snippet I posted. Maybe you can see what I mean.

I am making you do so much work on this post but I hope it is still considered fun.

 Does music influence your writing? If not, what does?

What are you listening to right now? I am always looking for new music (and I usually listen to anything).

There will be no post tomorrow-- not that I don't want to.  I need to get a lot done like read my first draft cover to cover and finish a critique.  So don't forget about me.  I may do some commenting though and post something small on Friday.

I will end with one of my favorite song lyrics: 

"How I wish you could see the potential,the potential of you and me.
It's like a book elegantly bound but, in a language that you can't read. Just yet."
I will Possess your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie (yes, it is in the playlist too).

Have a fun day!