It dawned on me yesterday that I have a "recipe" for writing success. And by success I'm referring to the ability to write more than one line without my mind going totally blank. First, I am a night owl so I do my best writing at night. Last night I was up until around 2 am working on Twisted Root--my current WIP, a YA dystopian. In addition to the night thing, I've found that I need a few theme songs for my WIP. The music must jive with the mood of the relationship between my central characters--in this case, Ari and Jackson. When my brain shuts down and coffee doesn't help, I turn to my theme song, and suddenly the words flow out of me again.
My theme song for Twisted Root is Secrets by OneRepublic. Listen/watch here.
This song conveys the tension between my two main characters, but also the name is perfect. See, Jackson is the most popular boy in school and Ari (not so popular at all) finds out he is secretly a spy for the Republic (an alien group that lives below the Earth's surface). She should report him, should hate him for being one of the others, but as she dives deeper into his world she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never imagined.
Here is a little taste (please note it is still in the rough/drafting stage):
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And for fun here's my favorite pumpkin pie recipe for your holiday fun!
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. plus 1 tsp. half & half milk
1 1/2 c. thawed Cool Whip topping
6 oz. Graham cracker crust
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 (4 serving) pkg. Jello vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Mix cream cheese, 1 tablespoons half & half at slow speed. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Pour 1 cup half & half into mixing bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat until well blended. Let stand 3 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and spices; mix well. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Makes 8 servings.
M.B..
My theme song for Twisted Root is Secrets by OneRepublic. Listen/watch here.
This song conveys the tension between my two main characters, but also the name is perfect. See, Jackson is the most popular boy in school and Ari (not so popular at all) finds out he is secretly a spy for the Republic (an alien group that lives below the Earth's surface). She should report him, should hate him for being one of the others, but as she dives deeper into his world she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never imagined.
Here is a little taste (please note it is still in the rough/drafting stage):
_________________________________________
A single drop of liquid hits my lip, and reflexively I lick it away. My taste buds explode with flavor. A perfect mixture of sweet and sour, warm and cold. I want more, need more. Where had it come from? Him? Another drop and another.
My eyes fly open.
He hovers above me as light as air. A bright glow encircles him. His eyes are closed. A sweet smile rests on his perfect face. Another drop hits my cheek, and I glance up to see his hair shiny—wet—with beads of water gliding down his blond strands as though they are leaves after an April rain.
I can't look away. My heart beats, beats, beats inside my chest. I want to reach out to him. Touch his face. Because I have only seen him from a distance—on the field or passing me in the hall. We never speak. I’m not sure he even knows my name. But I know his.
Jackson Locke.
A single drop of liquid hits my lip, and reflexively I lick it away. My taste buds explode with flavor. A perfect mixture of sweet and sour, warm and cold. I want more, need more. Where had it come from? Him? Another drop and another.
My eyes fly open.
He hovers above me as light as air. A bright glow encircles him. His eyes are closed. A sweet smile rests on his perfect face. Another drop hits my cheek, and I glance up to see his hair shiny—wet—with beads of water gliding down his blond strands as though they are leaves after an April rain.
I can't look away. My heart beats, beats, beats inside my chest. I want to reach out to him. Touch his face. Because I have only seen him from a distance—on the field or passing me in the hall. We never speak. I’m not sure he even knows my name. But I know his.
Jackson Locke.
_________________________________________
And for fun here's my favorite pumpkin pie recipe for your holiday fun!
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. plus 1 tsp. half & half milk
1 1/2 c. thawed Cool Whip topping
6 oz. Graham cracker crust
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 (4 serving) pkg. Jello vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Mix cream cheese, 1 tablespoons half & half at slow speed. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Pour 1 cup half & half into mixing bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat until well blended. Let stand 3 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and spices; mix well. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Makes 8 servings.
M.B..
Man, I can't say it enough... I LOVE Twisted Root!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, that recipe looks delicious...almost like pumpkin cheesecake! I'm definitely going to try it.
I'm actually in the process of making a new playlist for LC right now (yay procrastination!) I haven't narrowed it down to one theme song, but I definitely have songs for specific parts that I play over and over, trying to capture the mood of that scene.
Thanks! I can't wait to finish so I can get your opinion!
ReplyDelete