I’m Just Singing
And once, well, I was just a singer in a coffee shop. Over ten years ago I regularly sang with my voice instructor at a coffee shop in the Sacramento Valley. She played guitar and sang a set; some Joni Mitchell, Dylan, even Rolling Stones. Take a small break, and then invite me to join her.
And I’d get up there and sing my heart out. She’d strum her guitar, sing harmonies as I’d ride the wave of singing in public. Folk, folk rock, traditional ballads…
There is really nothing like it. One of my favorite things to do was acapella pieces. All by myself, carrying the song, no accompaniment. And there would be all sorts of things that would happen. I’d take this lovely pause, just after a thrilling rise…and the barista would fire up the steamer.
And I’d smile. Didn’t matter, I had them in the palm of my hands. I’d see a few grimaces, or the barista would shrug, embarrassed. Hey, this was her job, I wasn’t going to hold it against her. If I didn’t get pissed, the audience didn’t get pissed.
Holding an audience that way, be it a handful of family and friends, or an unexpected group from a dinner out, is immensely rewarding. And scarier than hell.
I’d mess up. It happens. This was where I learned to slide through with a confidence that I didn’t always feel. If I didn’t let on that I’d blown something, nine times out of ten, they didn’t notice. As long as I finished sweet.
Now I’m writing. I don’t sing much anymore, save in my car. I don’t have the voice I used to have. Thyroid surgery and lack of practice saw to that. I’d like to think I could get it back. Well, maybe not what I had, but something nearly as good, or maybe better. Certainly different. It would just take a lot of practice and some commitment.
But instead, I write. And I want to hold an audience as I did when I sang. Know that there are mistakes I will make, but if I move through with confidence, if I believe in the innate talent with conviction… I can do this. It worked when singing!
I told stories with my singing voice. Love stories, funny stories, sad stories… They had a beginning, a middle, an end. And my singing voice carried it all.
Singing was easier. Sure, I know… “YOU SANG? IN PUBLIC? WITH A MICROPHONE? I’D DIE!!!!”
Yup, I did. And loved it.
Writing the stories down, getting the beginning down just right, the middle has to carry through to the end, the end has to satisfy… Yes, it was easier when singing. Because of my voice. If the words were a bit stilted, didn’t matter. I pushed the meaning into it, convinced the audience that these words… well…they sang!
Can’t do that with the written word. I can sell my writing voice. Hold true to that voice, believe in that voice, that it will sing through the words I use. But learning how to do that is tough. Finding that voice, honing it as something unique and wonderful, it takes practice. And commitment.
I’m facing some rough weeks ahead. Finally finding words to close The Changed World with, getting closer every day. Not sure I have the right words and my confidence in the earlier words is pretty low. But all songs start with some rough drafts. And this is really a rough draft. I have a lot of rehearsals to go through, a lot of looking for better words, putting together the right verses, the chorus, binding it all together. Learning how to sing this song best. Is this a ballad? A hard rock power opening? A tragic opera? I have so much to do here, it’s frightening. What is the theme music for this book? (I’m hearing that Evanescent song every time I write, so that’s a pretty big clue. You know, My Immortal?)
And then? Figuring out how to sell this song. Er, book.
Meanwhile, it’s time to do some work on reminding a few editors that, months ago, they asked to see a partial of A Caribbean Spell. And here, well…it’s about singing again. This is a song I know. I may be feeling uncertain about the new work, but I adore my first child. I can sing it in any key…give me that microphone and I’ll crawl up onto the piano and scorch the room. I just need the right audience.
Now and then, someone on the blog compares writing to…football, a movie, NASCAR. Today, I’m talking about songs, theme music, soundtracks!
A Caribbean Spell is easy. She’s a Jimmy Buffet rolling-with-the-sea ballad. (Let’s dump the glitter dress and piano. I need a pair of guitars and maybe an accordion. Steel drums, yes! This one sums it up well… Sing it, Jimmy.)
I’m still not sure about The Changed World, but I’m leaning toward an alternate bit of hard rock. Evanescent or even Lacuna Coil. Sin, when this book gets published, it’s dedicated to you, BTW.
The Alien Library? You know that song the diva sang in The Fifth Element? Yeah, that one! Spacey, flying, strange… (If you haven’t heard that song, rent the movie and wait for it. The blue alien…with a voice that is out of this world! Diva Dance.) (Actually, The Alien Library could be represented by nearly the entire soundtrack from The Fifth Element.)
So, you writers out there…what is your book singing? What style? Who is the lead? Not what you listen to as you write, but what your book is singing! Readers? What do you hear when you open your favorite book? Celtic harps? Scottish bagpipes? Opera? Twanging guitars?
Books by the Crew
45 comments:
Aye, it be Friday the 13th. So what... I ain't scared and it ain't gonna stifle me...
Anyone care fer a bit a' Black Cat's Tail? It be a strong drink, but guaranteed ta drive off the 13th worries a' the day.
I'm staggerin' off ta bed now, play nice and I'll see ya in the morn!
It's also Kindness Day, so move those ladders and shut the umbrellas for your risky friends. :)
I just remembered I sang in public with my college boyfriend, who played the guitar. We did folksongs. I'm an alto, so I did harmony. Wow, suppressed all that. He was a philosophy major and I was a sorority girl so we did not end happily ever after.
I played the cello, and I think classical cello music suits my writing---kind of sweet-sad but mellow.
2nd Chance - lovely post and congrats on getting to the end!
You're right that the music we listen to while writing can be vastly different from what our book "sings".
When writing I like jazz and blues to inspire me. Something about them just puts me in the perfect mood.
Now, for my books - I hope that my books sing fun, uptempo, postive, almost giddy songs. I'm thinking "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz or "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo (The new version).
I hope they'll feel silly and fun.
Now having said all that, my current NaNo is a romantic suspense so it's not so giddy in some spots. So I think it might be more like a musical - it should run the gamut of song genres to showcase the emotional ride you want the reader to go on.
But, I'd eventually like to perfect my light, fun comedy and create that giddy soundtrack in a book.
My book has been singing a lot of 80s ballads: Scorpions' Still Lovin' You and Bryan Adams' Please Forgive Me and When You Really Love a Woman.
I also have a few songs from A Lot Like Love soundtrack: Aqualung's Brighter than Sunshine and Hooverphonic's Mad About You.
Because it's Adam & Eve, I also have "She Fucking Hates Me" and "I Hate Everything About You"--as well as Mr. & Mrs. Smith's soundtrack song, "Express Yourself" (where they beat the crap out of each other and have sex.)
Because we're in Vegas, I have some Frank Sinatra and an Elvis Presley song...and some Michael Buble because his songs remind me of Adam.
I also have "At This Moment" by Billy Vera & the Beaters, "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric, and for Eve, "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"--hey you can't be in Vegas and not have Celine Dion either...
*suspicious look at 2nd* I *LIKE* Black Cats. You haven't done anything to Lucifer, have you? *whistles* Here kitty, kitty, kitty...
I should probably run the can opener.
Mags - There be something about a slow, sweet cello. Reaches right in and carresses the spine. Be it wit' melancholy or kind reflection. I b'lieve I'd like a book that sang that song.
I not be a classically trained musician, but I do know what I like when it comes ta what will move me. Cellos be so wonderfully vocal...
Great news about the singin'! We all have it in us ta hold that microphone, don't we!? ;)
Wow, Chance. Singing in the coffee shop must have been fun -- as in fun for you but just the thought makes ME shudder! LOL
That's one of the things I miss about living in a city though...that you could find an intimate bar or coffee shop playing live music. Or at the train station.
On what my manuscript is singing, I was just thinking about it (wrote a blog yesterday) and the theme song for my ghost story is "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes. And I've got the chorus for Waterfalls (don't go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the river and lakes that you're use to) playing in my head for parts. But only in my head. I'm the odd one out and write in silence.
I've also been writing down lots of notes for a story inspired by that Michael Buble song "I Just Haven't Met You Yet."
Lovely blog, Chance. I'm one of those people who's shy one-on-one, but I adore microphones. Anytime I can have the attention of an entire room, I'll take it. Stick a camera in my face and I'm in heaven.
I was on the speech and debate team in college (*flashing red lights* geek alert! geek alert!) and we had the same rule. Never let a mistake show. Because just like with singing, as long as you don't give away that you just made a mistake, probably no one noticed.
I think my book is signing something dark and deep and slow with a strong beat. Like an Evanescence song. Something that tugs at your heart, and drowns you in the minor chords. Yeah, lots of low, minor chords. And a big crescendo at the end. I'm getting flashbacks to piano lessons here. *g*
Sabrina - So, yer books use the soundtrack from Shrek? Which be a good thing! I have both a' them on me ipod. (I love soundtracks...)
Ya be writin' good beach reads...or wish-ya-were-on-a-beach reads. Another book I'd pick up and peruse.
Here's ta singin' along wit' yer book, the top down, on a sunny day!
Cap'n - Sounds like yer book needs two soundtracks! That don't surprise me! And don't worry none 'bout Lucifer. I'd never incorporate the ship's kitty inta the drinks.
He moves too fast.
*rubbing forearm
And scratches like the devil 'e be!
But I likes the idea a' two sided soundtrack. Ya gots the fallin' in love side and the fallin' in hate side. I 'member that musical episode a' Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the demon in charge...and I imagine yer book...
Well, my people have a lot of history, so they have a lot of songs.
I also have three Twilight soundtrack songs on the thing, but not because they remind me of the book but because I write better under the influence of that soundtrack. Weird.
Melissa - It be tricky, ta separate what we listen to when writin' from what our books might be singin'. And if'n ya write in silence...I write in a coffee shop, a lot. Where the background music can be anything from Michael Buble to Sting singin' traditional Christmas Carols. Or screamin' children, Mum's chattin' 'bout their latest vacations...
Though me favorite locals get a lot a' students studying. Nothin' like tappin' away at me keyboard while listenin' without meanin' ta a pair a paramedics reviewin' emergency procedures. That were a spooky day, as I heard them discussin' sudden cardiac death. Brrrr!
Part a' me wanted ta get up and offer meself as a case study!
I do try ta be helpful!
Anyway, what were we chattin' 'bout? Oh, yeah...yer books voice. I'm gonna assume How Do I Live? be the song I know. If'n it is, perfect song for a ghost story book!
2nd, it doesn't surprise me you were a singer in a cafe. It DOES however re-enforce my image of you as a Phoebe though. Did you ever sing about Smelly Cats?
Love My Immortal.
I think there is a Side A and Side B to my soundtrack. But I want the 45 record, I want it to be real old school, especially for Blood Wars.
Broken (Seether, featuring Amy Lee) is a song that I constantly listen to while writing. "'Cause I'm broken when I'm open. And I don't feel like I am strong enough.'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome. And I don't feel right when you're gone away."
I absolutely love that song.
Hal - I 'member how me DH, who carries much more musical education than me, would explain minor chords ta me. We be watchin' the Addams Family and I commented on how much I liked the music, but wasn't sure why...
That evocative turnin' somethin' that ain't what we expect, what almost be wrong, inta somethin' so personal... Halloween music, Tim Burton music...and yes, Evanescence.
I'm bettin' parts a' yer books have some spine shakin' bass...
And huzzah! Welcome ta the magical microphone! Ain't it great that if'n we don't show it, they don't see it? Or hear it? Now, if only we can get readers ta glaze over written mistakes!
I do b'lieve, if'n the voice be strong 'nuff, it can be done...
Only then can I take over the world!
Now I'm all self-conscious about my soundtrack and had to whittle some of the songs off. I think I made myself get down to 17 songs.
Hel - I always wanted ta sing "Swing the Cat" but I never sang 'bout Smelly Cats. And yes, I know that scene and am tryin' ta forgive ya...
*crooked eye
What do I hear when I open up a book- depends what I'm reading. If I'm reading JR Ward, I hear harder alt rock, like Desperate for Compromise, Etched in Red. Bands that have a very strong male vocal and sound. But if I'm reading historicals, I hear classical, flowing strings, sweet melodies. If I read Kim Harrison, I only hear Under the Flood. It's always Under the Flood for Kim. "The evidence was there for you to point the finger. A momentary lapse cast me into oblivion.
Am I wasting all this time. Just trying to find the world in your eyes? I've been holding back myself, but I'm closer to the edge. Dusk approaches, I'm standing in the city light. Am I here in vain? Did you not hear a word I said
When I asked you, I begged you, to just please let me through. I have fallen now, will you pick me up again? In the face of my failures, I just want you to hear these words." It just shouts Rachel, Ivy, Inderlanders. Under the Flood is perfect for Kim.
Sin - That song, it pushed through the block I had, screamed at me that I weren't divin' deep enough inta Ivy's soul. I still haven't, but I know it now and be preparin' me scuba gear fer the rewrite.
I gots ta find me more Evanescence. I only gots the one CD and I fear I be wearin' it out. The CD player in my bright red minivan keeps stumblin' on me CD! Sob!
How do ya clean a CD anyway?
I gots me an old 45 box somewhere, full a' me older sibs music. Hermits Hermits, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Archies...
*tilts head
I bet I could make me some cash on e-bay wit' those!
"Smelly cat, smell-ly cat, what are they feeding you..."
Ooo! What do I hear when I open Kim's books? Well, once I quiet the ragin' green monster within me...
I don't think they play as hard fer me as fer ya, Sin. Maybe somethin' in a minor key...complex and full a' tricks. Somethin' like the soundtrack from The Da Vinci Code...which be a great soundtrack!
It be interestin'...we both read the books, but I don't connect wit' the characters as deeply as ya do. But that be me MO... Observe from a more removed platform. The same obstacle I be facin' in writin' me characters! Least the characters from The Changed World.
Writin' characters that face dark hardships be harder than those who miss that part a' life. Fer me.
I plan on working on your CD tonight. I will give you everything I've got.
Now, my two writing pieces.
Blood Wars are my screamer novels. Speed. Aggression. Pain. I listen to a mix of music from a lot of bands.
Michael sisters, well, they are more female laddened vocals. Evanescence, Halestorm, Lacuna Coil, Flyleaf, Fiona Apple, In the Moment, Walls of Jericho. With a little male vocal, Evans Blue/Parabelle (I heart Kevin Matsyn's voice- not to mention he sings my favorite song of all time, Eclipsed). Digital Summer. 10 Years.
Now, I'm scared... :)
And me dog is worshippin' at me feet...her subtle style a' beggin'... Time ta head out wit' her. Be back later.
Gosh,I don't know what I hear when I read. Probably a Gregorian Chant that goes "Mother quit reading and go make dinner"? In the real world I am always singing something. Often show tunes. Not necessarily the "show" lyrics, but the tunes. My children are under instructions to kick me in the shins if I inadvertently start to sing in public. Its that bad.
Ive been known to sing opera while on the lawn mower. And then there's times when I'm channeling Dion Warwick, or Ella Fitzgerald or ... this I The Best ... when I have a cold my voice drops down in a range so low ... I sound like a chain smoking Transvestite! Tooo fun.
And Don't be so Humble about your writing, Chance.
That should be "this IS The Best"
Was I bein' humble? When was I humble? Damn. I don't mean ta be humble...
Me voice instructor used ta say that everyone can sing, it jus' takes instruction ta sing well! I love singin' when workin' wit' machinary. Vacumming and singin' be a great way to exercise yer lungs and play 'round wit' singin' styles.
And who hasn't channedl Dion Warwick when blowin' yer hair dry? LOL!
As fer the theme yer books be singin'? I have this vision a' munchkins in brown robes, surroundin' ya wit' the old Gregorian chant stuff... Lord love a duck!
But that's what they sing, not what the book sings!
It be tricky, ta separate what we listen to when writin’ from what our books might be singin’.
Ain't that the truth! Especially when my mind is a sponge. And it makes me think of a quote that said something like "the book you write today won't be the book you write tomorrow."
That always makes me think it's no wonder the rough draft is mess of different thoughts written at different times. As if it were written by, hmm...a whole chorus of different authors!
I love how your blog puts it in perspective --that finding the voice is not necessarily instinctive but something to be worked at. Finding that voice, honing it as something unique and wonderful, it takes practice. And commitment. Even if the thoughts don't even seem to belong in the same story, maybe the voice, what the manuscript is singing, will make the end product seem like it was a story written in the same day.
Revision, revision, revision. LOL
I wasn't really sure what editor/agents/authors meant about voice until I started to think a' if like a singin' voice. Voices really are unique, both the writin' and the singin'. Imagine Madonna singin' opera...jus' don't work. Jimmy Buffet singin' acid rock? Uh uh.
Same wit' developin' a signature writin' voice. I think it be easier ta change genre's wit' yer writin' voice, but...once ya got the rhythms down on how it works, what feels right for you...words start ta flow easier. No matter what yer writin'.
The remarkably experienced can shift...and still stay true to their voice. I be workin' on it!
Truer words were never spoken; the book I wrote last year ain't nothin' like the book I wrote this week. Save fer me voice. If I did it right! ;)
"I have this vision a’ munchkins in brown robes, surroundin’ ya..."
Damn. Now I'm hungry for donut holes!
Sorry I've been without power since last night. Got power back less than an hour ago and now need to clean up and go find food. But I'll get back here and join the convo as soon as I can!
LOL! What part a' munchkins in brown robes translates ta donut holes!?
Not that I need a prompt ta think a' donut holes...
Bo'sun Ter! We thought ya might be part a' the big black out troubles. Glad ya got the powers back on. Now eat and we'll chat later!
I be back later, time ta get the Bonnaroo outta the van and home from Starbucks...
When I read a book it could be any kind of music except jazz, I don't like jazz. Love celtic music, hard rock, heavy metal, opera, pop, classical, country, easy listening but I'm not a big fan of rap either. Although I do like emmenem (no idea how to spell his name). I'm in my late fifties too so people find it hard to believe I like the kinds of music I do. Hey, the body may be old, but the mind isn't.
Dunkin Donuts ( a donut chain) used to call its donut holes munchkins!
Ah! Now I get it! Though as I said, it don't take much ta make me think a' donuts...
Just got through the comments and now I really want donuts. Damn it. I wonder if that HOT sign is on at Krispy Kreme. Though I'd rather have Dunkin' Donuts.
I'm loving this idea of the voice coming through in the music of the work. I write in silence, but I can see putting a soundtrack to the book once it's done. Wednesday night I downloaded the latest Daughtry CD and their sound fits my story. Daughtry is rock with angst IMO. I bet Sin hates Daughtry. LOL!
Sorry I missed all the fun today. I would have much rather been hanging out here than stuck in the dark!
It were dark even in the mornin'?
*big eyes
Ya bein' punished?
Hey, whatever music ya hear is the music yer book is singin'... I imagine even Sin might find herself writin' an opera someday...
*ducking now
Chance - It's still raining. It's dark all the time. And my apartment only has windows in the front and back, so yeah, it's dark in my house.
Ah, you poor thing! This must be one hellish storm. Why can't we get this sorta rain? We could use it...well, maybe not all at once...
LOL! Yeah, that all at once thing is a bitch.
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