Musical Musings #9: Honesty

This week's prompt is the last character exploration and we'll begin with a new focus next week. Take one of your existing characters and have them reflect honestly on something that they are not proud of in their lives. Are the willing to say 'sorry' for what they have done or is it too late? Does your character write a letter, make a phone call or is it simply being honest with themselves that is important.? Use the music to guide you.

Honesty was one of the hit singles from 52nd Street was released on the 1st November in 1978. "Honesty" was a top 40 hit - it reached 24 on the American Billboard Charts. In February 1979 '52nd Street' was award the Grammy for best album of the year. The album is named after the famous 52nd Street in Manhattan which hosted many of the world's premier jazz venues and performers throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. I remember 52nd Street from my father's collection of tapes and would have been my first exposure to Billy Joel. I can still see Joel on the front holding a trumpet and being most upset years later to discover that Piano Man wasn't on that album!

Thank you to Annie for providing the original idea of a character being sorry (sadly we weren't so impressed with the film clip for Madonna's song "Sorry") and to Paul who happened to have a Billy Joel quote from "Honesty" on his most recent blog post which filled the void of song, but kept the original premise.

Happy writing.

Musical Musings #8: Chasing Cars

This week's prompt, Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars comes courtesy of Annie from Annie's Musings.

Your challenge. Take another of your characters (or the same character from last week if you wish). Dig deep and explore a past betrayal, disappointment, regret, unrequited love ... something that causes great pain to your character. Then share their story.





Knowing and understanding our characters inner workings and their motivations allows our characters to be rich, three dimensional characters with whom the reader can both identify and empathise with. Themes such as regret and unrequited love strike at the heart of most readers who even though their experiences may be different from the facing a character, can recognise and feel again the emotions evoked in such a situation.

Musical Musings #7: Hearts a Mess (Goyte)

This week's prompt comes with a twist.

Firstly take a past character you have created - a NaNo character who is gathering dust, a character you loved or hated from a recent short story or a character you write about on a semi regular basis.

Now, with that character in mind, hit play on the YouTube clip below, close your eyes and allow your character to take you on a trip inspired by the music.

Write down the story that your character gifts you.

At some stage take a good look at Goyte's video clip. It is one of my favourite ones of recent times.

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Musical Musings #6: I got the way

This week's prompt
This week's prompt comes from Brisbane songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. "I Got The Way" is the first song on her debut album "Little Eve." Unfortunately to get the clearest possible version of song through youtube - this is the video everyone gets this week!

The prompt this week comes in dedication to my dear friend Annie Evett who has (unlike me!) been faithfully writing and posting stories based on the songs prompts here. Annie introduced me to Kate Miller-Heidke last year and this song is one of Annie's favourites on the album. Enjoy!

#5 Night Swimming