Make Your Own Novel Soundtrack

I'm a music writer. I need melody and words and beats to make good words. (I don't actually make words. Just so we're clear.)

I touched on this whole music/writing spiel back in February, when I wrote about what songs I listen to when writing action scenes. This post is going to be a little different. Playlists are a great tool to evoke emotion when you're writing. But I'll do you one better. When you make your own novel soundtrack, you not only have a great writing tool, but an exercise in theme, characterization and plot. 

OKAY. So let's talk about how to make your novel soundtrack. How do you know what songs to pick? Which ones make the cut?

PICK SONGS FOR LYRICS. 

This is my main reason for my song choices. For instance, when I listen to "The One I Love" by Greg Laswell, I can hear my character Simon saying those words. Sometimes, lyrics remind me of a place in the book or a theme that runs through it. Try these tricks:

1. Pick based on lyrics that represent your characters' voices. Bonus? Create a playlist for each character.
2. Pick based on lyrics that honor a theme in your book. For example, loneliness or coming-of-age.
3. Pick based on lyrics that reflect your setting. If you're writing a story based in Ireland, try listening to some songs by Irish artists.

PICK A RANGE OF SONGS. 

I like to vary my song choice. Some songs are more upbeat, while others are mellow and moody. Arrange songs in a way that mirrors the rise and fall of your story. Essentially, you're making your own little plot line. Here's an example for you:

"The Rain" is an upbeat song, but foreshadows some relationship problems. The next song, "over you" is the aftermath of that, and slows the story down. "Heartbreak World" compliments this new shift.

PICK SONGS FOR THE MUSIC. 

Music makes you feel things, just like words do. Sometimes, I choose songs just because they musical arrangement mimics the  feel of the book. Most of my songs are because of the music/lyric combination, but I love the sound of "Let's Be Still" by The Head and The Heart.

PICK YOUR SOUNDTRACK.

I put together my playlist in Spotify, which I recommend. Another amazing resource is 8tracks. Share your soundtrack with your followers, and share it on your blog. It's important to give your readers something to connect with, something to draw them even further into your story, especially when they're still waiting for it to be published. You can learn more about my novel here.

Okay, without further ado, here's my novel soundtrack. There's also a link to my Spotify playlist, if you happen to be a user!

THESE ARE THE MOMENTS SOUNDTRACK

1. This is Your Life by Switchfoot  2. Dead Hearts by Stars 3. Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer 4. The Rain by Benji Davis Project 5. Over You (feat. A Great Big World) by Ingrid Michaelson 6. Heartbreak World by Matt Nathanson 7. All We Ever Do is Say Goodbye by John Mayer 8. Missing You by Tyler Hilton 9. Gravity by Sara Bareilles 10. Sugar, We're Goin Down by Fall Out Boy 11. Dragging You Around (feat. Sia) by Greg Laswell 12. Wish You Were Here by Incubus 13. When It Rains by Paramore 14. Hearts Like Ours by The Naked And Famous 15. Let's Be Still by The Head And The Heart 16. Breathe by Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat 17. Hometown Glory by Adele 18. Who I Am Hates Who I've Been by Relient K 19. Something Beautiful by NEEDTOBREATHE 20. Stars by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals 21. Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer 22. The Last Time by Taylor Swift, Gary Lightbody 23. The One I Love by Greg Laswell 24. High by Young Rising Sons 25. Scene Four - Don't You Ever Forget About Me by Sleeping With Sirens 26. It All Starts Now by Foreign Slippers

Discussion Time: What would be on your novel soundtrack? Comment below! 

Traditional vs. Self Publishing

Ever since I decided to self publish These are the Moments, I've gotten a lot of questions. Mainly, what's self-publishing and okay, so how does it work and when are you going to finish your book, because frankly, that's a universal question that JUST NEVER GETS OLD. (P.S. I'm getting more creative with my answers to that last one. Like, when tap dancing space cows descend from the moon.)

So why self publishing? Or why traditional publishing? Traditional vs. self publishing is the big question these days, with self publishing on the rise. Before we dive in, here's the most important thing to remember: each and every book has a unique calling, and it's your job to figure it out. There is no "right" or "wrong" way. Publishing is what you make of it.

A Brief Glimpse into My Publishing Journey (which has barely started)

My first manuscript — still unedited, waiting to be picked up again — was a middle grade science fiction/fantasy. I could see the whole thing in my head: writing the query letter, including the words "with series potential," landing an agent, selling the book to a publishing house.

I bought the books about how to write a query letter and the ones that list all of the literary agents and what they look for. I was so excited for this process that I could practically watch it like a movie in my head.

When I moved on to my second novel, I found that it wanted to talk right to the reader. For whatever reason, this book was as stubborn as the characters in it. These are the Moments wanted me to take full responsibility for it; should it fail or succeed, I would be the one to handle it all. For me, this is exciting. This makes sense.

Traditional vs. Self Publishing

There are a few key factors to consider when you're choosing your publishing route. Are you an entrepreneur? Are you a marketer? Do you like to work on teams? Do you want to see your book on the shelf? Do you like the idea of distribution? Okay. Got your answers? Good.

Writing is a business. 

Whatever you choose, once the creative, peace love book phase is over, and you're holding an edited, pre-published baby, you gotta sell that ish. For traditional publishing, you've got some obstacles.

First, you have to query. Then your new agent friend helps you sell it to a publisher. Then you get an editor friend and a whole bunch of people. Then, they help you sell it to the world WHICH IS AWESOME. In self publishing, you've got to be all of these people. You are your own little friend. Oh, and readers. LOVE YOUR READERS.

Things to think about: Do you want to a have a team? Great! Just remember, that team gets a big say. A team also means less money. A team means answering to people. Do you want to work on your own? Cool! Just remember you need to reach out to freelance editors, cover designers, formatters, etc. Remember you have to put in 1,000 percent. You don't get to sleep.

It's all about the details. 

With self-publishing, you've got to be everywhere and everything at once. Say you've got the whole platform and cover designer and formatting thing down. Say you get your book out there. Then what? MARKET, MAN. I cannot stress enough how important social media/marketing is for writers.

Even in the traditional world, writers are now expected to support themselves on the web. In fact, a social media presence can even help you get published. Think strategy, people. Blogs. Social media accounts. Twitter accounts for your main characters. Freebie short stories to get an audience before the book.

Things to think about: Can you see yourself as a marketing cog? If not, traditional might be the best choice. Remember, either way, you'll need to self-promote.

What's your poison? Risk-wise? 

The thing about writing/publishing is that there's always a risk. (Insert groans of discouragement here.) For traditional publishing, there are levels of risk.

1.  You might not get an agent. Solution? Write another book. Keep querying. Get a freelance editor.
2. You might not get a publisher. Solution? Ask your agent. Write another book.
3. Your book might not sell. This one's a tough blow. Solution? Write another book. Hope like hell that they don't drop you.

In self-publishing, the risk is simple. Your book might not sell. Maybe, you suck at being a one-man team. Maybe, your writing is terrible. Maybe, if you want to move to traditional, no one takes you. Solution? Write. Another. Book. Keep writing until your fingers fall off. Wait, what?

OKAY. What a meaty post this week, huh? P.S. I hate the word meaty. Traditional vs. self publishing is a big choice. Monumental. HUGE. (got that?) No one can tell you what the right choice is. So instead, do the research. Read this post and this one and maybe this one if you're an overachiever.

What do you think? Traditional or self publishing? Leave your comments below! For more writing tips, subscribe to the newsletter. 

How to Write What You Want

Yesterday on Twitter, I asked friends/followers/random passersby to email me their questions. Publishing questions. Writing questions. Cat questions. Shannon-Rachel Dixon was kind enough to send me this email: I'm currently writing book one in a reverse trilogy, the genre being a psychological thriller. My question is, do you think it's harder to get a trilogy published for your first time, than just a single novel? First of all, this book series sounds awesome. Second of all, LET ME JUST BASK IN THE AWESOMENESS OF THIS QUESTION. 

I did a little research, and I've come up with two possible answers. Hopefully, this helps you in some way!

The "Literarily Correct" Answer

(Were you aware that literarily is a real word?) Okay. My first instinct was Write your trilogy! Give it to the world! Get that movie deal! Then I calmed down and realized that wasn't going to help you at all. The first article I came across was from Rachelle Gardner, which advises writers to pitch a single book. 

The gist: Writing is a business. If you make money, you get a career. If you not… I consulted Writer's Digest too. (Okay, we didn't really consult because they don't know I exist. Just throwing that out there.) The gist: tread with caution. If the first one works, chances are the second and third are a shoe-in.

Okay, did you get all that? My work here is done. Just kidding. Here's my advice: WRITE WHAT YOU WANT. That's how people sell books. They write the fringe stories, the stories people tell them will never make it, and then they hit it big. Is that what we write for? No. We write for the satisfaction of telling the stories we want. 99% of the time, our gut feeling doesn't lie. (Made-up statistic.)

Write what you want, but market smart. You want to write a trilogy? Hooray! However, you should write your first book as a stand-alone. Leave it open-ended. Plant the seeds for more books, outline and such, but let it be okay on its own. Query as an individual, then let your agent know that you're working on more books. Should the first sell, the second has a much better chance.

Alternate Options

As a soon-to-be self-publisher, I know about the CRAZY COOL opportunities there are for trilogies in that sphere. Serializing is an amazing opportunity to get readership, either on your blog or on websites such as Wattpad. Even if it's just the first few chapters! Publishing just a chapter or a scene a week can really build that awesome fan base you want. The more you write, the more successful you'll be. That's the name of the self-publishing game.

I hope that answered your question, Shannon! If anyone has any more suggestions, please comment below.

To ask your own question, email blotsandplots@gmail.com! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter for additional opportunities.

How to Write in Coffee Shops

First, a story. Once upon a time, in a television show called Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw wrote salacious advice columns in her cute New York City apartment, that she couldn't possibly afford IRL.

Until one day, in one particular episode, she's forced to flee to premises to work at a Starbucks while her boyfriend Aidan fixes up her apartment like the perfect boyfriend that he is. Anyway. The point is, Carrie comments that people writing in coffee shops are phonies.

I CALL BULL.

Writers don't have to write in coffee shops, of course. They also don't need to drink tea/coffee, quote Shakespeare, go to poetry readings or play Quidditch. There isn't a writer initiation, thank goodness. Writers write. That's the only rule.

Maybe you're the type of writer who needs complete silence. Maybe you blare music. Maybe you even watch TV shows as background noise (guilty). Whatever works for you, do that. Writing is hard enough. But, there are benefits to coffee-shop writing, so if you're looking to branch out, I've got a few tips! 

People-Watch

Ok, so this doesn't technically fall under "how to write in coffee shops." More like "how to stalk in coffee shops." Still. People-watching is a writer's secret weapon of inspiration. Write that down. Here are a few ideas of things worth your attention:

1. Interactions. How do the people around you treat one another? Are they friendly? Are they cautious?
2. Conversations. Okay, tread lightly here. This is a tad violating, but it's beneficial to observe how people talk to each other.
3. Activity. What's happening around you? Coffee spills? Study groups?

You will be amazed at the kind of people you'll see, the kind of conversations you'll accidentally-on-purpose overhear. Trust me, you'll be hammering away at the keys in no time.

The Barista is Your Best Friend

Say you find your favorite coffee shop. Say you find your favorite chair in your favorite coffee shop. You know, the one with the perfect lighting and easy access to a wall plug? These are all good things. But let's not forget the one who holds all the cards here, my friend. The barista.

I like to make friends with baristas because a) they're awesome and b) they start to remember my order and that's the dream. Tip your baristas. They're the ones in charge of the thermostat.

Bring Headphones, Even if You're Not Listening to Anything

Here's a productivity secret for you. If you plan on listening to music, by all means, this is an excellent way to go about that. If not, wearing headphones can isolate you a little bit. Jenny, do you want me to be a loner? Yes. Yes, I do.

Think of it as tricking your mind. By cutting yourself off from the other people around you, even in just a small way, you can tap into your own mind a lot easier. Try this: point at the nearest coffee person and say you don't exist. Just kidding. Don't do that. Too late? Oops.

Discussion Time: What are your coffee shop techniques? Where's your favorite writing spot? 

And the Title Quest Comes to an End

I selfie with good reason, everyone. I HAVE A TITLE. I HAVE A TITLE. I HAVE A TITLE, HEY HEY HEY HEY. If you follow me over here on Twitter, or maybe you read last week's post over here, you know that it's taken me about 150 titles to finally reach this point of being an official book titler. (Yes, there's an award ceremony for this honor and yes, it comes with a plaque and trophy.)

And now I'm going to be terrible and make you wait until the very end to actually reveal the title, because you know, I have to give you a brief synopsis of the book. (I know you can just scroll to the bottom. But this is an honor system and you wouldn't want to break our code of friendship would you?) You may be semi-familiar with this book if you've read the first scene I posted here or the second scene I posted here. Note: these scenes are in no particular order and my apologies if this confuses the heck out of you.

UNOFFICIAL BOOK SYNOPSIS

Once upon a time… no scratch that. Let's start over.

In small town Louisiana, there used to be a Wendy who used to love a Simon who grew up and went away. And came back. And went away again. Now, ten years later, 24-year-old Wendy Lake hasn't changed much. She's living with her parents again, working full-time and going through the typical twenty-something college withdrawals. Until her best friend gets engaged. Suddenly, Simon ricochets back into Wendy's life and she's faced with questions she's been struggling to ignore. Do people ever really change? Do two people, who can never make it work, actually get it right? And most importantly, does she even want to?

This is a story about the nature of love and time and all of that crazy growing up that happens in between. It's about first love, the kind that shakes your soul. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably want to watch funny cat videos. Why? Well, just because they're awesome.

NOTE: This is not my first novel. I originally started writing a YA fantasy novel that's temporarily on the back burner, because this story just kind of snagged me. As I've said before, it's something I've meant to write for a longggg time, but never felt I could get it right. But now, IT'S HAPPENING. (I just double checked to make sure).

Ok? Have you had enough waiting? Do you want the title? DO YA? DO YA? DO YA?

Fine.

AND THE TITLE IS...

 "THESE ARE THE MOMENTS"

After much deliberation, this is the title that seemed to fit every aspect of the book. Moments of clarity. Defining moments. Moments of truth.  This book is a collection of high points and low points, which I guess every book is in a way, but this one kind of thrives on those waves. It's a collection of those moments: the pretty kind to keep us warm at night, as well as the ugly ones we try to avoid all together.

SO YES. There you have it. A title for an almost book. What do you think?