Silence

I know that the longer I put off posting on any of my blogs, the harder it will be to post after that. 'Well, it's been soooo long! What do I say? Do I apologize? Is anyone still there?' So here goes nothing, throwing words out into the vastness of cyberspace on the chance that someone is still out there waiting for a new post. 

The past few months (I'm not going to count them!) have been filled with work. There have been many 12 hours shifts, many weekend shifts that have left me with only one day to catch up on everything I slacked off on during the week, and even a couple weekends which I had to work both days. But the paychecks have been worth it, so there's that much. I do apologize for how long I've neglected this blog and my own, but I hope that all readers will be understanding.

The music video I posted above is completely random, although it is one of my favorite songs. Probably the only one by Disturbed that I truly like (no offence, just not my style). I hope that you enjoy it; either way don't  be afraid to share your thoughts about it in the comment section.

Going to keep this short, because since I'm actually on my computer I'd like to get some writing done. Or at the very least some proofing of what I've already written. It's been a while since I've tried.

THE MUSE, THE SINGER, THE DANCER, AND THE WRITER By C.P. Stringham

Maybe it’s the planets aligning just right this week (No, really, they are! Just ask the astronomers!) or my muse is talking to me again. Whatever the reason, I can honestly say I’ve had a decent word count and, despite the plans I had for a topic on the blog (I’d already started a draft), decided to “bank it” for a later week on Broads of a Feather in the near future.

Sia without her face covered...she doesn't like showing
her face in public anymore. (Photo courtesy of E! Online.)

I’ve blogged in the past about how important music is to me during the writing process. On Monday night, I created a new playlist that seems to be helping fuel my latest creative blaze. Some of the artists include: Sia, Passenger, Anna Kendrick, Sam Smith, and Ed Sheeran. I find Sia’s vocals particularly haunting—especially in Big Girls Cry.

The expressive Maddie Zeigler in Big Girls Cry. (Photo courtesy of
E! Online.)

 Sia wasn’t an artist I had even heard of until the controversy over Elastic Heart’s video came out. I live under a rock. I found myself watching the videos with Maddie Zeigler over and over. Especially Big Girls Cry. The choreography was so beautifully set to those songs and Maddie’s translations nailed the emotions of the lyrics so perfectly. I mean, how simplistic yet utterly spellbinding is Maddie performing in front of a black screen in Big Girls Cry? Subject and black screen is simplistic. The true artistry is found in her translation. I dare you to watch it without being moved to near tears. We've all experienced a relationship ending. The phases we go through. Emotions are turbulent. Regaining your own identity. It's all conveyed candidly. Another interesting element, Sia not only wrote the songs (love when performers write their own stuff), she was the co-director of the videos as well. I've also learned that she wrote a one-page story eight years ago and has recently co-written the screenplay with children’s book author Dallas Clayton for a movie titled Sister and Maddie Zeigler is slated to play the lead role. It was like Christmas morning when I read that little tidbit this morning!!

Dallas Clayton reading to school students. (Photo courtesy of Copiic)

Dallas Clayton is an internationally known author whose first book, An Awesome Book, was rejected by several large publishing houses, so he went on to self-publish into rock star success. He’s now signed on with Harper Collins and Candlewick Press and runs a non-profit that promotes childhood literacy. I’m in love. Just look at this photo---------> A man reading to children, is there anything sexier?!? *sigh* I bet he even does special voices while reading. Yea. He would totally do that. 

So as not to snub The Muse, I’m going to keep this week’s post short. Never fear, one of my biblical-length blog posts is on the horizon. The subject matter is on the serious side and will pull at your heartstrings as well as anger you about the injustice of it all. In the meanwhile, tune in next week for Robin’s turn at Broads of a Feather. 

Whistling Dixie and Other Tunes

by: Robin Janney

I was wondering what to put up for this week's post.  I've been so busy the past week or so, going here and going there, that I haven't even had time to work on my second novel or even my own blog!  But then I had a moment to read C. P.'s post and thought I'd add my own thoughts to it.

While I love music, and am constantly broadening my listening repertoire, I don't always write with music on.  At this moment, the only sounds I hear are the washing machine doing its never ending job and the neighbor pounding on something...most likely trying to break up ice from our numerous snow storms.

The series I am writing is dubbed "The Country Music Series" for a variety of reasons.  The majority of my favorite music happens to be country, from Alan Jackson to Dwight Yoakam.  And since the novel is set in a small country town, I figured it would fit.  Not to mention that the book titles will bear a striking resemblance to some country song titles.  I also thought it would be fun because of my tendency to mix in a little Fantasy into my Romance, and I can't imagine a more unlikely pairing than Country Music and Fantasy.  What can I say, I guess I'm twisted like that!

Add to that the mention of different Country songs and artists.  Craig, the male lead in my novels, is the one who is the country music fan.  He's the one who makes the CD mix for their wedding night, he's the one who picks a country song for them to dance to after he proposes to her.  There will be other music references in the later novels, as Angela (the female lead) begins to listen to other types of music as she spreads her wings, but Country will still be the predominant music of choice...even when they stand in the heart of New York City.

And let's be honest.  Country love songs have a certain reputation.  Something addressed early in the novel between Angela and another female character.  Here, read it for yourself:

             Another woman came in just then, interrupting Angela’s thoughts.

             “Hi, Cori,” she said in greeting, as she recognized the other woman. “How’s it been going?”

             "Same as always,” responded the taller woman as she poured herself a cup of the decaffeinated coffee. “Like a country love song.”

             “That bad, huh?” Angela asked with a smile.

             Cori smiled back, her tired eyes lighting with long forgotten humor. “Oh, yeah, you’d better believe it. Dog’s run away for the third time this month, the kids are sick, and my boyfriend just got laid off, and things have been good.”

             “I’m sorry to hear that,” Angela said sympathetically. “I’m sure the dog will come back any day now.”

           The two women laughed at the joke that dated back to their time in high school.

At this moment, you would have no idea that Angela just met one of her antagonists for the novel.  She certainly had no idea either.  She thought she was just sharing a joke with an old high school friend.

But the day is young yet, or young enough, and I may yet turn some music on to listen to when I get to working on my second novel, presently dubbed Ring of Fire.  I may just hit shuffle on my iPhone, or I may go straight to James Blunt as that's what I'm craving at the moment.

Music Makes My World Go 'Round by C.P. Stringham

It struck me, while I was working on rewrites and edits yesterday, how much music plays a vital role in my author world. Not only does it increase my productivity, it also helps me get into the heads of my characters. Maybe I get too detail-oriented sometimes, but I truly want to know my characters inside and out—and their music preference plays into it.

Now, don’t laugh, I’m not a very modern gal. I don’t own an MP3 player. My daughters do. They love them. Have them loaded to capacity with songs. My eldest even has favorite movie clips downloaded on hers—Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs. Yep. Creepy. And cool. Despite my lack of techno-gadgets, I get by with a decent collection of CD’s (those shiny, silver plastic thingies) and by tuning in to our local Top 40 station. My friend, Lisa "The Rage" (I'll explain her nickname at the bottom,) works in the offices at Pembrook Pines Media. They’ve recently changed their format on 94Rock to include hits from the 80’s and 90’s—music from my heyday. Mostly, I like to listen to the DJ banter during the morning show. Background conversation that doesn’t require my active participation.

    Today’s music selection is courtesy of Grace Werner, my latest work-in-progress protagonist, and is comprised of Daughtry, Hinder, Offspring, and Pantera. Grace will be featured in book three of the Ellis Springs Series, Rest in Peace. She had a rebellious youth and, even at age forty, still likes to headbang (quite the contrast from Natalie’s Classical and Reverend Stephanie’s Country music in the earlier books of the series.)

Music to headbang write to...

As I’ve said before, music helps me think like my characters. During particularly difficult scenes, it often helps set the mood. Allows me to sink into the turmoil or despair I’m trying to create. A good portion of Rest in Peace was written while listening to Evanescence Fallen. Amy Lee’s haunting vocals combined with the lyrics from such songs as Going Under and Bring Me Back to Life made for inspirational writing partners. Another favorite was Broken by Seether with guest vocals by Amy Lee. The book’s theme of escaping and overcoming one’s violent past required me to be able to delve into perfect emotional darkness. At the same time, as Grace’s story reaches a turning point, I needed something to help show her emergence into lightness and good; embrace the positives in her life while never forgetting the past that molded and shaped her because, no matter how far she’s come, she’ll always carry a semblance of burden.

You can see how important a role music plays in making my books happen. It encourages my chameleon moods in the creative process. Tolstoy captured it best, “Music is the shorthand of emotion.” What helps to set the mood for you? 

As promised, the story behind Lisa "The Rage." She joins Paralegal Jenn and I two to three times a week for our hikes around The Matterhorn. We call her The Rage because she totally fits the mold of hot-tempered (natural) redhead. Her adventures in anger mismanagement often leave us laughing hysterically (and doubly thankful she's on our side.) This video clip from Malcolm in the Middle is a close representation of the scene taking place in the Wegman's parking lot not so long ago. Of course, in The Rage's story, the F-bomb was dropped into the mix.