A Little Bit of Inspiration -- Pick a Song

Music really resonates with stories for me. Last week my co-worker was listening to a piano station on Pandora, and a song was playing that I instantly recognized as the song playing during a very pivotal point in LOST. I asked who it was, looked it up, and I was right! For a good portion of the day to come, I couldn't get my mind off of that final episode of LOST (below, and now I have LOST on the brain again).

There are certain songs in my life that transport me back to a time and place, and there are some songs I can no longer listen to because they make me too sad. My dog was going into surgery, and If I Die Young by The Band Perry (below) was playing as they draped the leash over her neck and took her away from us. I was already terrified about her emergency surgery to remove a possible cancerous tumor, and going under the anesthesia. The song did not help... Needless to say, I was a crying mess.

Now, I can't stand to hear this song, and every time it plays, I remember that sad moment in my life.

So my challenge to you, create a short story, poem, flash fiction, or brainstorming session using a song (or two, or ten!)

Pick a favorite song (or a least favorite song, or any song at all). Sit in a quiet room, or put your headphones on. Close your eyes, and let the song transport you. What does it remind you of? A time and place in your own life? A piece of fiction? A movie? A TV show? Take this place you've thought up in your mind, and this is your setting.

As you listen to the song, what emotions does it conjure up? Make a list of these emotions as you go through the song.

Listen again, this time, listen for the five senses, write down any senses that come to you -- what do you see, hear, feel, smell, taste?

Listen again, and this time write down any images that come to mind. What is the tone of the song? The mood? Take notes on all of these items.

Now, if the song has lyrics, is there a particular line that stands out to you? Write down any words or lines from the song that come to mind.

As you listen to the song, is there a character in the song? Who is this character? The singer, someone the singer is talking about, an onlooker? Someone you think of completely outside of the song? Can you turn this person into a character?

I know these may be very strange things to think about, and may not apply to all songs. But after you've listened a few times, you should have a good amount of notes that you can turn into a story.

And remember to credit the song and the artist for your inspiration!! I hope you enjoy this little exercise!

Today's Review: The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

So, last summer I read this book, and I feel like it ruined all other books for a while. From the perspective of another writer, it was just so well written. And go figure, it's Young Adult. And while it was a YA book, and it was sad, I think everyone should read it.

What book is this, you ask? The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green.

So, I posted my review on Goodreads back when I first read it. Here is an extended version of that review..Though I will probably be sounding kind of cryptic because I don't want to say anything that will ruin the story itself.

This book was very well written, I felt like it was a writer's read. I was recommended this book last summer by my friend, writer, and fellow JHU student, Amanda Hart Miller and finally got around to reading it this past summer. 

Back when I first read it, I thought, I don't think I'll watch the movie, because the book was good enough. And summer and fall have passed, and we're now into winter, and I still don't need to watch the movie. One of my favorite things about this book is the voice. I feel like voice never quite translates into a movie smoothly.

I love Hazel's attitude towards the world and her situation. It's a sad story, of course, but you expect that going into it. Spoiler alert, it's about kids with cancer, and Hazel's approach to the whole genre is entertaining, even though it is a coping mechanism -- the book follows a 'in a cancer story, this is where this happens...but here is what happens for us' sort of story line.

I love the literary and art references (The Treachery of Images!), the title taken from Shakespeare, 

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

Julius Caesar (I, ii, 140-141)

(taken from here: enotes.com)

It is not too complicated of a story line (which, actually, I envy that, and wish I could have more simplicity to my stories) but in general, in a sense of plot, it might not have been my favorite story ever, but in the sense of character (well developed, round, and distinctive), and prose (descriptive, real, and as I mentioned, the voice is great), and tone (sad, but not too sad, and very clever) --  the emotions are real and I genuinely felt for the characters in this book.

This book has been a problem for me....in a good way....ever since, I've been comparing everything YA that I read to John Green and nothing has quite lived up to this one yet. I guess I should get on it and read some of his other books soon.

Overall, if you're looking for a YA book that's also a great piece of writing, this one can't be missed. I definitely recommend this book!!!