Saturday, July 23, 2011

Wonders Never Cease: MC Theme Song

I thought it would never happen to me, but it did. I actually stumbled upon a theme song for my MC!

Authors as of late have been posting entire soundtracks for their novels, and I always think: how could they possibly do that? With all the music in the world to sift through, I'd never find time to write the actual book! But apparently, it just happens.

What is this theme song, you wonder? Rolling In On a Burning Tire by The Dead Weather. Not exactly my taste, but when I heard it, it just fit.

Funny how life works that way. I'm taking this as a sign to continue working on Project V.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Project Updates: Location, Location

If you ever find yourself having trouble (or even if you aren't) with your writing, discuss it with someone. Or, well, discuss it with yourself at someone.

My sounding board is my carpoolmate, who sometimes asks about my writing (even though most of it goes completely over his head). I'll start rambling about my current project, and before I know it I start brainstorming brilliant story angles I'd never considered. Soon I'll have come up with new plot twists, character traits, and solutions to problems I didn't know I had. He barely ever says a word, but he's a genius.

Last week, inspiration struck. My setting for Project V (a large converted mansion) had been giving me great trouble, mainly because I couldn't figure out how big it was, what had to be on each floor, and what exactly needed to be in this mansion anyway. Whenever a specific destination was required, I simply put "then we headed up to the [__] floor" - and "to be filled in later" lines annoy me greatly. I tried to create a sketch of the mansion to figure out what went where, but it just caused more confusion and headache. This inspiration pulled me out of said horrible mansion and to a nearby location wrought with possibilities and wonder. I was elated.

But this new, wondrous setting wasn't to be had that easy. It would require a great deal of research, the books for which were hard to come by. I even discovered a possible expert, but the odds of him talking to me were slim. I kept thinking: "I know absolutely nothing about this location. If only it were somewhere I know something about." My usual following thought is: "But I hate where I know about." This time, however, I got a mental image of the first few paragraphs of Project V, rewritten into a setting I actually knew about.

And it was awesome.

So although my characters are very grumpy for having to pack up and move locations twice (just down the road, and then across the country), I think I shall be very happy with my decision. If not, I shift them back to Location 2. But I have a good feeling about this.

Want a hint?





Like night and day. No wonder my characters are grumpy. Can you guess which one is which?

Friday, July 1, 2011

Imagination Words

Owl City's new CD, All Things Bright and Beautiful, just came out a few weeks ago, and this song... I can picture myself trapped, exploring this wonderful old house with a ghost... What an amazing story...

I saw a ghost on the stairs
And sheets on the tables and chairs
The silverware swam with the sharks in the sink
Even so, I don't know what to think

I've been longing for
Daises to push through the floor
And I wish plant life would grow all around me
So I won't feel dead anymore

I saw a bear in the den
Reading my textbooks again
And bats flowed like traffic
As they poured from the attic
Heaven knows, I could really use a friend

I'd rather waltz than just walk through the forest
The trees keep the tempo and they sway in time
A quartet of crickets chime for the chorus
If I were to pluck on your heartstrings would you strum on mine

Your spirit is sweet
So pull off your sheet
And give me a ghost of a smile
Show me your teeth
Cause you're a teddy beneath
So just grin and bear it a while

If that was all about nothing at all
A new leaf turns over, unwilling to fall

Tonight I'm busting out
Of this old haunted house
Cause I'm sick of waiting for
All those spiderwebs to grow all around me
Cause I don't feel dead anymore
And I'm not afraid anymore

Check out the whole song: Plant Life by Owl City - totally worth it, especially if you need some inspiration. And while you're at it, there are several other brilliant imagination songs on the album as well.