Tag: #Music

Mind Your Own Business #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

Dec 16 2024

If your book had a soundtrack, what would be on it?

The old-term was country-western.

Now they call it country, but the music has changed.

Before I started editing the first chapter of The Rimer Files, I wanted to get in the mood. Since the story was set in the mid 1980s. I knew Annie McGregor, my protagonist, was not a rock-n-roll chick. With the opening scene in The Outlaw, a country-western bar, it made sense to continue that background music throughout the book.

George Strait, Hank Williams, Jr., and Willie Nelson all hold places on the playlist, along with Merle Haggard and Alabama. Not musicians I listen to on a regular basis, but perfect to inspire my writing. I found a playlist on YouTube of a 1985 top ten country music and set it to play in the background as I wrote. Of course, it included the supergroup “The Highwaymen.” With members Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. (I think I still have one of the LPs in my collection. Willie is the only one still with us.)

There were women singers who made the charts but not my list. Reba McIntyre, The Judds, Dolly Parton. As I mention in my blurb, it was a man’s world—even in the world of country music.

As far as the title of this blog? It was a song originally written in 1949 and sung by Hank Williams. In 1986, Hank Jr. took it back to No. 1. How much more country can you get than that? (Reba sang it with him, but that’s just a side note in the articles I read. It’s a man’s world.)

Check out the soundtracks of other authors by following the links below.  And, as always, until next time, please stay safe.

Dec 16 2024

If your book had a soundtrack, what would be on it?

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What Inspires My Writing #IWSG

  By IWSG
 
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler,Ronel Janse van Vuuren,Meka James,Diane Burton,Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

May 3 question – When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

What I am inspired by depends upon the story, but music is the constant. What music depends on what mood I am in. Sometimes it’s classic rock, sometimes it’s Celtic, but singer songwriters like John Denver, Buffy Sainte Marie and Joni Mitchell are my fallbacks. Although lately, I’ve been following several YouTube reaction channels, because they remind me of music I loved but that I lost track of.

The other thing I’ve added to my playlists are 1980s country, because my WIP references songs from that time frame, and it wasn’t anything I followed back in the day. But those songs are part of the way I’m trying to recreate the time period and the atmosphere of scenes. 

But my biggest inspirations come from the characters themselves. I may start off knowing where I want the story to go, but as I get to know my characters, they will tell me what I’m doing wrong. Yes, I have changed my plot because the characters have convinced me their way of doing things is better. It happens more often than not. They will also tell me if I am writing a stand-alone or a series.

One quick sidenote- my new book, The Rise of Jake Hennessey, releases May 17th. Watch for it on this blog. 

Check out some of the links below to find out where other authors get their inspiration.  Until next time, please stay safe!

ChatAndSpin Radio Interview

  By Uncategorized

My thanks go to Ron and Ian from ChatandSpin Radio for the great interview. If you missed it, I’ll be posting a link to the interview late  tomorrow (Saturday, Oct 3)  or Sunday.  In the meantime, you can take a listen to their station at ChatandSpinRadio.com. A great mix of 80’s music and a variety of guests. You can also follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chatandspin.

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And here’s the link https://chatandspinradio.com/listen-again/. I’m at about the 1:55 mark for the second half of Friday’s program. Take a listen. 

Rituals for Writing #IWSG

  By IWSG

May 6 question – Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?

Just give me that rock and roll music… (and a good headset) 

Although lately, I’ve been branching out into other types of music to help me get in the zone, depending upon my mood. Tradition Celtic melodies. Modern Native American songs. I keep thinking I should look for Gregorian chants but haven’t yet. I’ve got a nice collection of CDs and LPs, but I like finding new musicians and singers.

Basically, I look for music I don’t really listen to, but serves to shut out the distractions around me. It allows my mind to concentrate on writing.

But back to rock and roll…classic rock, of course. The era of singer-songwriters. Lots of female singers. Buffy St. Marie. Joni Mitchell. Janis Joplin. Linda Ronstadt

And here’s a nod to my favorite. He doesn’t fit any of the categories above, but he’s always my fallback. John Denver.

And that’s as much of a ritual as I’ll own up to! 

 

Be safe out there, please.