Let the Music Fit the Words

I did begin the new novel.  But not until way late on Sunday night/morning.  My weekened wound up full with stuff that I hadn't anitcipated at first.  Plus a little proscrastinating on my part.  Just a wee little bit.

I’m happy to say that the characters are quite vivid for me. Despite my having thought about what they might say next in their conversation, I never really knew. But when the pen went scribbling, my guys did in fact speak up. And I’m quite pleased with their rapport. I already see their relationship and personalities even with the little bit that I’d churned out.


It turned out to be just a little for I couldn’t help but need music to write to, as per my usual penchant. Sure, I could have just picked something on the spot... but then that song would have ended and I’d have to choose another. That would have disrupted the flow for me. Sure, I could have set it to a particular album, but then... which to use?

Thus, since my flow would be stop and go anyway, I carried through with what the guys were saying and then began my “playlist” for this book. That entails going through my list of songs and deciding which are appropriate or might be inspirational for each particular story. Some of my choices came directly from the characters looking/listening over my shoulder.

So I expect the next round of writing to go quite well, considering that the guys are forthcoming with themselves and I’ve got a collection of tunes to play in the background.

Now if only I had a title! This will be the second time I’m starting a novel and don’t know what the title is before I begin. Sure, titles sometimes change anyway during the course of it, but not always. It’s a little disconcerting not having the name of the book, especially since it’s one of the first questions people ask. Oh well... I’ll just have to live with it. It worked out fine for Jeremy’s story. I didn’t have the title of that book until three-quarters of the way through!

Look What iFound

Coming across Peter Pan related material that hasn't passed my way before has become something of a rarity for me. Ah, obsession! But everyone once in a while, I'll stumble upon a way to find one that's been hiding in the Neverland jungle. Such as iTunes. Truth be told, I don't purchase much from iTunes. In general I tend to prefer actual CDs and also in general I don't hunt for music very often. So, while browsing (it does happen sometimes) the other day, I typed in "Peter Pan" (imagine that!) and found a treasure.

A CD with 33 tracks, outlining the story in an orchestral score. I pecked around at such titles as "I Do Believe in Fairies" and "The Room" and "The Injured Peter on the Rock" and quickly made my decision to purchase.

Having listened to all of it several times through now, I feel the piece captures the mood of the tale quite well. Intense, sweet, powerful, soft, precious and spooky all at the right moments laid out in a wonderful composition. Bravo to Stephen Warbeck! For he's the man who crafted this musical retelling of Barrie's classic in classical style.

By now you may have already read the words on the picture. Well, I did not at the time. Two reasons. 1] Buying it through iTunes (and quite eager to hear the snippets of sound) I didn't fully examine (or make larger) the cover art. 2] When downloading from iTunes, the full track name didn't show up in my particular window setup. And when I said quick to purchase, I meant it. So I did not, then, initially realize the reason for this fantastic score. Ballet! But of course.

Yes, it's David Nixon's Peter Pan as performed by the Northern Ballet Theatre. So another Bravo! to the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra and conductor John Pryce-Jones.

Bart's been hearing me play it (since I've been writing Peter Pan: Betwixt-and-Between to it) and loves it as well. He now wants to see the ballet should it ever come to Chi-town. At this time the show is still running. More information can be found at Northern Ballet Theatre

I've compiled a 60 second mix of some of the music. I wanted you to be able to experience a bit of the grandeur for yourself:

Buy at Amazon.com
(iTunes link seems only available through iTunes program)

Note: If I'm infringing, my sincere apologies, and I will remove it if instructed. Please consider though, that merely one minute of 1.2 hours of music is being used to entince others to purchase this composition and/or see the show.