Tuesday, October 12, 2010

What's your favorite song?

I've been hearing a lot of authors talk about NaNoWriMo. The first time an author mentioned NaNo, I asked her if it was a chemical compound. I'm pretty sure she was laughing when she informed me it was short for National Novel Writing Month, which is November. I checked out the website to learn more, and found that it's this huge thing. Authors sign up on the page, and the goal is to write a 50K word novel by the end of November. The site even word counts for you when you 'cross the finish line.' The point is to get people who might be intimidated by the enormous undertaking of writing a novel to sit down and produce; it's just one month, it's just 50,000 words. It's about quantity and not quality, so lower your expectations and just put out words.

Sounds cool, right?

For someone else, right? Yeah, that's what I thought, too. I've got what's trending toward a complete rewrite instead of a revision on one ms, edits on another, and its query letter to write/revise/get critiqued/send out. So I really should focus on those things. On the other hand, I've been struggling with finding a solid idea for my next ms, and this might give me something to work with. 50,000 words to work with, which makes NaNoWriMo pretty appealing to me.

If you've read my blog, or if you're one of my two friends, you know that I get my titles from song lyrics. I've also been toying with the idea to write a novel based conceptually around one album. Not sure if I'm ready for that one just yet, but I think there's merit in the idea. I want to try a twist on that, and I'm hoping you'll help.

I'm asking you to let me know your favorite song- like favorite song of all time, the one that you'd take with you if you were deserted on an island- and list it in the comment section below this post.

I'm going to make myself a playlist of the songs and try to write an outline of a story around them. If I can figure out a way to make it all make sense, that'll be my story for NaNoWriMo.

I'll start. My favorite song of all time is "Burn" by Jeremy Enigk.



xo. kb.

24 comments:

  1. Sorry Kate!!!
    My all time favorite song is Jack and Diane by Mellencamp.

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  2. Thanks Gail! That's an awesome song.

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  3. I don't have a favorite song of all time -- but Stevie Wonder has always been one of my favorite artists -- he is amazing! I love My Cherie Amour, Signed Sealed Delivered, Overjoyed, ... really I love all his stuff.
    And a completely random choice -- but I find it such a profound song -- Bruce Cockburn's Fascist Architecture.

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  4. Stacy, I love Stevie Wonder too. I found Songs In The Key Of Life (vinyl) at a garage sale once and it's one of my prized possessions. And I sing my kids Overjoyed all the time (whether they like it or not). I think I'm going to go with the Bruce Cockburn, though, just because it's different and interesting. Thank you for responding!

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  5. Oh great. Now I have to figure out how to decide my favorite out of a bazillion. (My favorite changes five times a day.) Guess I'll throw this one out there, as it's been my inspiration lately - Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine.

    As for NaNoWriMo and an MS, I attempted to do it last year (first time - not sure if I will do it again this year or not) and even though my word count ended up being super low (and the title changed), parts of it became my soon-to-be-completed YA MS, Flora! So I say, might as well go for it and see what happens!

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  6. It's funny and I'm not just saying it because you likened my appearance to Stevie Nicks today, but "Landslide" has always been my favorite song. Which would probably explain some things. On a more uplifting musical note, I also adore Sinatra's version of "Fly Me to the Moon." Which might explain other things. Anyways. There are more but I've already exceeded the limit.

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  7. coffelvnmom-
    Florence + the Machine are so freaking awesome. I love it when people like good music.
    Are you mid-project? Is that why you might not do it?
    I'm really considering it right now. I have to make a plan of attack- a daily word-count expectation for myself so I don't under-perform, and an outline (which I never do). It would be an undertaking for sure, but stretch goals are good, right?

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  8. babs. Landslide? Really? Do you know, I have a theory that you can turn on XRT at any time of the day and hear one of two versions of either "Landslide" or "Because The Night." It's this kind of over-play that makes me freaking crazy and I almost hate that beautiful song. But I'm adding it to the list anyway. Thanks for responding, hooker.

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  9. And here's an aside- Is it appropriate to respond to someone with their real name, or should respond with their handle?

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  10. Is this CB radio or a KB blog?
    And I don't listen to XRT. Go with "Fly Me to the Moon" then. Did you ever consider that you just listen to wrong radio stations? And since when do you listen to the radio anyways? I enjoy it but I've been on a strict radio diet of KISS-FM, 94.7 and Jack-FM. It's important to my work.

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  11. No Sinatra. You know how I feel about him. And I listen to the radio when I'm getting the kids ready in the morning so I can get the weather and the time. And just in case they play the Clash.

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  12. Til Kingdm Come by Coldplay. Yes, I can hear you snorting.

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  13. OMG No. I can't do it. Sorry Babs. It's Landslide. First come, first serve.

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  14. Found your blog on Twitter. I love the challenge you've set for yourself! I love writing to music and I have a huge playlist of songs that inspire me. If you're up for instrumental music, "Time" by Hans Zimmer - from the "Inception" soundtrack - is one of my all time favorite pieces; it's beautiful and inspirational. If you want something with lyrics, I recommend "Guinevere" by the Eli Young Band. Good luck! I'm interested to see what your final playlist is. :)

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  15. This is awesome. I don't have a favorite EVER song, but my current WIP is (sort of) structured around a playlist of songs. If I can make it work, that is.

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  16. Hi, I also found you on Twitter! What a cool idea. My favourite song is I Don't Feel It Anymore (Song of the Sparrow) by William Fitzsimmons and Priscilla Ahn.

    Good luck with NaNo!

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  17. I adore "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison. It's so lush, and delicate, yet powerful. The horns I actually wore out 2 or 3 cassette copies of his Moondance 'album' before I broke down and switched to CD

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  18. Hadassah Fey- I need lyrics, so I'm going with the Eli Young Band. Country. Here's a first for me. Thanks for sharing!
    Jordyn- I'd love to hear your track list! Such a cool idea.
    Bri- That song is fantastic. I YouTube-d it and listened repeatedly. Thanks for your suggestion.
    jerzygirl45- Beautiful song. I love that this list is so diverse. Thank you.

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  19. Bob Dylan - It's all over now, baby blue.

    Classic!

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  20. Lisa, I was just talking with a friend yesterday how Starbucks killed any Dylan love I had. And then I was thinking how BD's voice grates, but I have no problem listening to Mark Knopfler. Nonetheless, I'm putting it on the list. Thanks for helping a sister out.

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  21. Three Days- Janes Addiction.

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  22. Ms. Thiele, I love you, I love you, I love you.

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  23. carry the zero-built to spill or how soon is now?-the smiths

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  24. You're supposed to pick one. I'm picking Built To Spill, because I like that song better. But thank you for participating. You're a real peach. And by peach I mean knob.

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