Fairyproof: The Characters and Their Music
Music and my writing will always be tied together. For some
reason, my brain processes the two in much the same way. Part of how I build
characters and understand how they are going to react to a given situation is
determined by the types of music I decide they like or the songs I tie to their
character.
Those who already know me, or read my posts at my blog, are
fully aware of how much I’m influenced by music. A simple scan of the files on
my iPod will confirm that I truly am one of those people who will listen to and
enjoy every genre. However, there’s a certain piece of my heart that throbs for
the songs of my youth – eighties pop.
I’m a self-proclaimed Rick Springfield fan, and while it’s
from a more recent album, there was one particular song that I found myself
dialing up more and more while I was editing: Fairyproof
“What’s Victoria’s
Secret?”
I came to realize there was a three line phrase that really spoke
to my hero’s emotions. And even though the original draft of this book was
written long before I’d heard the song, the feeling behind the words was
perfect.
But I know she's not
what’s best for me,
And I know she’ll
cause me harm.
And I know she'd
rather fly away to someone else's arms.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit it’s a pretty universal sentiment
and a central emotion to many a romantic tale. I would be willing to guess that
at some point in your life, you refrained from telling someone how you felt,
because you were afraid of their response. Fear is such a powerful sensation
that it can keep a person stagnate when they should be pursing the one thing
that will make them happy.
It’s the last line, I think, that made it particularly poignant to
me: the idea that she would “fly away.” Even though the fairies in Fairyproof
aren’t winged, they are able to zip about using a travel spell, so, they appear
to do just that. If I think about that verse in my hero, Daniel’s, terms, it’s
not just the average fear of unrequited love, it’s more about Monique choosing
her home (another world) over him and his world.
Of course, the emotional payoff of taking that leap of faith and
putting one’s heart on the line is worth the risk. Even if the outcome isn’t
what we thought we desired, the act of reaching for the brass ring is the
difference before moving through your life and actually living it.
Maybe there are a lot of songs out there that could have been
Daniel’s theme song, but this is the one that most resonates with me.
Do you ever tie songs to characters you either read or write
about?
Fairyproof
By Constance Phillips
By Constance Phillips
Genre: Paranormal
Romance
Publisher: Crescent
Moon Press
Date of
Publication: September 4, 2012
ISBN:
978-1-937254-75-9
Number of pages:
262
Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: Taria
Reed
Book Description:
When Monique finds out
her brother, Kieran, is planning her future with the one fairy she wants
nothing to do with, she seeks refuge in the human world. Now Kieran fears she
will be the next victim in a string of murdered fairies and is determined to
bring her home.
Hiding should be a
breeze. She can control any human with a flirtatious smile and an attraction
spell. Until she meets Daniel Elliot, the only human who's immune to both.
A year ago, Daniel's
fiancée disappeared with the engagement ring, an Elliot family heirloom. He's
ready to move forward with his life, but his mother's obsession with retrieving
the ring makes that impossible. Then Monique walks into his office to apply for
a job.
Daniel and Monique can't
deny their attraction, but will the reason he's Fairyproof be too much
to overcome?
Author Bio:
Constance is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter (MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look for the pink Converse high tops).
Constance blogs regularly at www.constancephillips.com. You can also follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.
4 comments:
Thank you so much for hosting me here today.
You're welcome! I enjoyed your guest post!
Yes. I know just how you feel. Sometimes a certain song will feel just right for a particular character. I love that! I also love eighties pop, too. Sounds like a good book!
Thanks, Angie!
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