When a Song Speaks to You

Hey everyone!!

I hope you had a fab week. Mine was great! I got to see Taking Back Sunday last night and discovered a new band called Thursday! Good times.

So, for me. Music and Writing are like one in my eyes. Both creative, both I COULD NOT live without. There are so many lyrics that speak to me, that get me to change a character or discover something new about them, about myself. I thought I'd share some of my fav's with you ;o)

This is Again, by Flyleaf. This is the video. The other two I'm going to show you are the lyrics with the song in the background, because I want you to see the lyrics in its most purest, beautiful state. I chose to have the video for Again, because it's just so visually awesome and there really isn't one lyric I want to highlight, 'cause they are all awesome.

Enjoy!!





The next is Look After You, by The Fray. My favorite lyric in this is:


"Forgive the Urgency but hurry up and wait, my heart has started to separate."



Next is seriously one of my favorites by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. It's from Your Guardian Angel. Now this version of the youtube video has it slightly different but this is the lyric


"I will never let you fall. (let you fall). I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all(though it all). Even if saving you sends me to heaven."




So what about you? Has a song or lyric spoken to you? I have a ton more. And I'm sure with each story a lot more will come out. These aren't necessarily for the story I'm revising, just lyrics I really hang on to and let affect me.

Have a great weekend!!

erica m. chapman is a YA writer by night, workin' for the cause by day. Fan of football, especially Lions and Michigan. She loves alternative music, Foo Fighters, animals, reading, golf and playing her guitar. She resides in Michigan where she sits quietly typing her next story on her macbook in her Detroit Lions Snuggie. You can also find her at ericachapman.com.

What Harry Can Teach Us About Writing...

Happy Harry Potter Release Day!!

For many of you... I'm sure you've already seen it. So, I hope you had a great time and loved it!! I am seeing it tonight with my hubs and li'l sis. And I have mixed feelings about the end of this ERA. The Harry Potter books hold a special place in my heart because they are the reason I started reading again after a fairly large drought.

In many ways, the books changed my life. They're not the reason I started writing, but I like to think they helped.

For those of you going this weekend or later, I hope you have a wonderful moviegoing experience. *sniff* I can't believe it's all ending...


So. What can Harry teach US about our writing?

Bravery - No can argue that Harry wasn't brave and careless. You almost can't have one without the other. Bravery moves the plot forward, it makes you cheer, it creates a HERO.

Vulnerability - At many points Harry shows he can be vulnerable and human. Vulnerability endears people to each other, it lets people in. No one is a rock all the time, not even Harry.

Loyalty - Once Harry latches onto you, he doesn't let go. I could say the same of Hermione and Ron, too. Harry wouldn't have gotten far without them. Your characters need people to help them in their mission. I think it's also important to test that loyalty, often and always.

How To Have A Sense of Humor - Characters who can laugh at themselves are always more likable. We relate to that in someone. Harry & crew knew this, especially Ron.

How to Endure  - He lost his parents before he ever got to meet them. He was abused by the family that took him in. It would make anyone nuts, but Harry remained a kind person willing to help anyone out, even his crusty ol' cousin. To endure is to SURVIVE.

Sacrifice - To go along the path he chose, there will always be sacrifice. You can't have the prize without giving something up at some point. Characters who don't sacrifice anything are boring. Yeah. I said it ;o)

How to Love - Harry loved his parents, his friends, Sirius, Ginny and many others. Through everything he saw and heard he was still able to love. I mean that's what saved him, after all. I'm not a romantic, like, at all, but I'll tell ya, if you can write LOVE in a non-corny way, you've sold me. Even corny is okay every once in a while, just don't make it a habit. It's getting a little too serious out there -- loosen up. Just a little. Please.

Do you have any to add? I know I didn't get them all.. I kept it kind of general as to avoid spoilers for those who haven't seen any of the movies or read the books -- Seriously. You're missing out!

What's your favorite part of the series?

I really loved the beginning, but there's something about seeing Harry search for those Horcruxes that gets me excited!! I've always loved the lasts in series'. Return of the Jedi is my favorite Star Wars movie, Empire Strikes Back is a close second, though ;o)

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

<3 Er

erica m. chapman is a YA writer by night, workin' for the cause by day. Fan of football, especially Lions and Michigan. She loves alternative music, Foo Fighters, animals, reading, golf and playing her guitar. She resides in Michigan where she sits quietly typing her next story on her macbook in her Detroit Lions Snuggie. You can also find her at ericachapman.com.

The Lazy Days of Summer . . . where is everyone?

July is such a busy month for me. I'm off driving my niece and teammates to basketball tournaments to exotic locals like Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and San Diego. Just as I'm off doing the summer thing, so is most of the publishing industry. So what should we do while everyone is off drinking margaritas and soaking up the sun? Write. Revise. Repeat.

I usually don't query during the summer months, but I have sent a few out this summer. Be prepared, if you're querying, to have a longer wait time for responses. I've decided to focus on my new project and ignore the queries that are out on my other project. Checking the inbox can drive a person insane. I'd say kick back, relax, and swing right now. Everything happens in its due time.

So, what big plans do you have this summer? Are you querying during the summer, and if so, have you noticed a lag in response times?

Here's some things happening on my personal blog ...

Win a copy of Miserere by Teresa Frohock today.

Enter Here

Well, that's it until next time.

You can find Brenda on her blog: http://brenleedrake@blogspot.com 
or on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/brendadrake