Today is
Road Trip Wednesday! The question: If your
WIP or favorite book were music, what song(s) would it be?
Well, unlike many
authors today I don’t listen to music when I’m writing…but that doesn’t mean I
don’t have a soundtrack running through my head. My finished and
soon-to-be-queried manuscript, The Rose
of Coracus, is all about music, dancing and the freedom you get when
pursuing those activities. Set in a fantastical kingdom, the main character,
Shayna, is part of the ethnic group called Hilla, a people that give music and
dancing huge cultural significance.
Shayna and her friends
are part of an informal band called Joyous: Shayna dances and plays the tambourine,
Ani plays the recorder, others play the violin, the piccolo, and so on. Shayna and Ani also go to a tavern to
dance throughout the night…where many important plot events occur!
Last year in my college
creative writing class someone, let’s call her M., once asked me what kind of
dancing the Hilla did, and I explained that it was a complicated yet effortless
combination of steps and swirls and claps to the proper beat. Well, M. didn’t
skip a beat either when she suggested “Jane Austen plus contradance!” And
well, I’ve never been to a contradance, but from M.’s description it seems to
fit the bill. So, if any type of music fits the Hilla culture depicted in The Rose of Coracus, a good old folk
song that you can dance to would be it!
That is so cool! You just sent me on a Youtube binge :)
ReplyDeleteHello, Laurel, I don't have your email, so I'm sending this note this way - don't feel as if you should post this! I love your blog...and found one that I think you will love...check out http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/ when you have time...and peruse all their links, too. Lots of fascinating and creative people in the world. I look forward to buying your book!!!
ReplyDeleteAh, that reminds me of last fall, when, in a GRADUATE class (Balkan folk music), we spent twenty minutes each week holding hands and dancing. Ah, memories.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as soon as you said "Jane Austen + contra," all I could think was "Jane Austen + conga," and this RIDIC funny Mitchell and Webb sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTchxR4suto
So funny.
I don't listen to music when writing, either. But it's true, you don't need to listen to music while writing to have a soundtrack in your head :)
ReplyDeleteI can't listen to music with lyrics while writing, though I will listen to movie soundtracks. Whenever the Lord of the Rings song comes on I feel like I'm writing something epic.
ReplyDeleteI find my playlist is useful for brainstorming instead. Listening to a song when I'm starting a new scene sets the mood.
Laurel - if you ever do want to do contradancing, I have a friend who goes fairly regularly. I've only gone with her once, but would totally go again if you are interested. I think you'd really like it!
ReplyDelete@Katie: I keep on forgetting to respond to your comment because I think about it at work and try not to be on my blog too much at work...but I think it would be fun to go contradancing some time! Let me know when you and your friend are going again!
ReplyDelete