Moving from playlist to rough draft means it’s time to face the music. Work is progressing on book #2, with a working title of “Return to Pine Woods.” The characters are really quickly introducing themselves. Their story is developing almost faster than I can type it.
Let me insert here — this is just MY process. Every writer is different. No process is any better or worse, they’re just different.
In the previous post, I shared that I begin a book creation with songs and playlists. So now you may be wondering how I get from playlists to a rough draft. It’s definitely NOT magic! It starts with facing the music.
“Facing the music” is an idiom that means to confront the consequences of one’s actions. It can also be accepting responsibility for something that has gone wrong. It’s about dealing with reality, no matter how unpleasant or difficult it might be. When you “face the music,” you acknowledge the challenges or repercussions head-on instead of avoiding or denying them.
The phrase is often used in situations where someone must deal with the results of their mistakes, decisions, or actions. For example, if someone makes a mistake at work, they might have to “face the music” by explaining what happened to their boss and taking responsibility for the error.
Book creation begins when I face the consequences of the choices I made for the characters. I set them up to meet each other and then throw obstacles at them. All this while challenging them to overcome a false belief and become a better person.
Songs that tell a story often reveal possible obstacles or motivations for characters, even if the full song isn’t exactly relevant. A good example of this happened when plotting “Return to Pine Woods.” I kept hearing the lyrics “I’m not throwing away my shot” and “the world turned upside down,” a couple of phrases in a song called Yorktown from the popular Broadway production of Hamilton. While the song is about the founding of America, those words gave me ideas about Austin – who he is, what motivates him, and what could turn his world upside down.
All kinds of music provide inspiration, from pop to rock to country. No one tells a story like Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, or Ed Sheeran. When putting together “Christmas in Pine Woods,” Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Imagine Dragons helped to bring Kevin’s character into focus. Belle was described well by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Selena Gomez.
Country Music’s inspirations
While I listen to many different genres, country music is a favorite for ideas that can become obstacles. This a genre that often tells stories about life’s struggles, and the resilience required to overcome them. With its roots in the folk traditions of rural America, country music is characterized by its heartfelt, relatable lyrics.
Many country songs explore the pain of lost love and the emotional journey of healing. The lyrics often delve into the raw emotions of separation, grief, and the longing for reconciliation. In “Christmas in Pine Woods,” Belle was dealing with the loss of her mother, and a betrayal by her former boyfriend.
Country music also highlights the complexities of family dynamics and relationships. Songs may address the trials of maintaining strong bonds, dealing with conflicts, and the importance of family support. Belle’s relationships with her mother and her brother became essential to understanding her motivations.
“Return to Pine Woods” will focus more on celebrating the human spirit’s ability to endure and overcome adversity, a theme that is quite prevalent in country songs. The songs often convey messages of hope, strength, and resilience. The genre emphasizes the importance of community and support systems. Pine Woods is a tightly-knit community where support abounds. The country songs often depict the strength that comes from leaning on loved ones and finding solace in shared experiences.
One of the defining features of country music is its relatability and authenticity. The genre’s storytelling approach allows listeners to connect with the experiences and emotions conveyed in the songs. Whether it’s through a somber ballad or an upbeat anthem, country music provides a genuine reflection of life’s ups and downs.
Other influences
Music can also create a mood or setting to drop the characters into and just see what happens between them. The Black Eyed Peas created an atmosphere of hope and inspiration in “I Gotta Feeling” that propelled Belle into spending an evening with Kevin, giving them the chance to get to know each other and bond. And Lady A’s “Bartender” inspired a scene with Tara and her girlfriends.
My daily life usually includes a soundtrack of some sort. I like to let the music app choose songs for me, generally based on a certain artist. This way I’m consistently being exposed to many genres and songs I may not have heard before. Another good source for this is my guilty pleasure of watching musical reality shows like “The Voice” and “American Idol.” I’ve discovered songs there that I might not have heard anywhere else because the original artist isn’t one I generally listen to.
Music can be a rich source of inspiration for outlining a novel by providing emotional depth, setting the mood, and sparking creative ideas. So when it’s time to face the music, any song with descriptive lyrics can be helpful in moving a character or story forward. By tapping into the emotional resonance and storytelling elements of music, I can create a compelling and nuanced outline for my novels that hopefully captures the hearts of my readers.
Insightful….learned how you develop a book…way to go….