Musical Musings #10: What Sarah Said

This week is the beginning of a month long set of prompts again. Throughout August Musical Musings will be exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clips ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This clip of What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie is not the official film clip. It was one of the videos included on their 'Directions' DVD. A special project put together by the band to allow their fans to create the film clips that they thought should go along with the songs. I remember vividly coming home and my partner, housemate and I having a very passinate debate about what this song and the film clip on 'Directions' really meant. None of us could agree even after half an hour of discussions and watching the video clip numerous times.

So what do you think is meant by it all? Is love watching someone die?

To assist you - there are french translations below the film clip. Feel free to leave comments also, and remember to come back next Monday and post the link to your story.
:o) Jodi




On the mirror she writes "He loves me"
On her hand she writes "A little?"
On the wall she writes "Very Much!"
On his arm (too quick for me to read) I think it's "passionately"
On her leg she carves "With madness"
And she finishes the sentence on the mirror "not at all."

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 #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 #4

This week's prompt
Is California Dreamin' made famous by the Mammas and the Pappas (but has been covered innumerable times - just check out Wiki). It was released in 1965, but it took until 1966 for it to reach #4 in the US and stayed in the charts for 17 weeks. It was voted #89 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Use the song in any way you see fit to inspire your writing this week.





How to be part of the writing adventure:

1. Check each Tuesday for a new musical prompt – a link to the post will appear at the top right hand of the blog to help you navigate.
2. Write between 1000-2000 words of short fiction in any genre.
3. Editing is welcome and encouraged.
4. On Monday, post your story to your blog.
5. Return here to link your post and leave a comment.
6. Visit other’s posts and leave constructive comments.