Travis Thrasher's Blog, page 37

Book Sale!

From now until September 1, I'm offering a 2-for-1 sale on all my books off my website. Simply order the book you want, then in the notes section let me know which other book you'd like. Also make sure to let me know who you'd like them autographed to.

Also, for those of you with e-readers, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE is available on Kindle for only .99 cents until September 1. THE PROMISE REMAINS & THE WATERMARK have both been recently made available as e-books and are selling for $2.99 each.

City Lights (The Process)

I was about to share a chapter I just wrote for Temptation called "City Lights." I'm not sure if it will even go in the novel but just wanted to share it for fun. Then I realized that it gives away something. Not a shocking surprise, but more of a surprise in terms of what I'm doing with the first third of that story.
So no sharing.
But I'll share a part of the process. I know that there are five of you out there who really, truly care about the process. So this is for all five of you.
I'm finishing a ghostwriting project this week so all my energy is going toward that. Then I'll dive back into Temptation and my wonderful Solitary Tales. But just because I'm not technically writing doesn't mean I'm not thinking of the story.
Tonight I downloaded an ep from a group that goes all the way back to early college days. They're called Cause And Effect. I downloaded their new four-song album called Artificial Construct Part 2. And of course, while listening to the songs, I thought of The Solitary Tales. Thinking of those wonderful playlists.
While listening to track 2, "City Lights", I began to write a chapter that fit with the story. It wasn't something exceptional, but it was unexpected. I didn't expect to be writing at 10:00 p.m. after a draining day. But the music fueled the mood and I got back into sixteen-year-old mode and wrote a few words.
Music moves and motivates me. Always has. Sometimes my words are merely an attempt to put lyrics to the songs that I love. It's fun when those words end up in a story.
As for Chris--well, he was happy. For the moment. But the story is early and as they say, happiness is fleeting.

Step #3 To Writing A Novel (Writing Tip #84)

Make character sketches.
No, don't actually draw character sketches (unless you're able to). I'm talking about mentally getting to know your characters and fleshing out their personalites on paper.
I think over my writing career, I've usually had a good idea who the main characters are. But secondary characters are difficult because so often, a writer doesn't really truly know who they are inside and out.
Before diving into a novel, I start to make a list of characters and then make notes on who they are. I don't go overboard. I put a paragraph of information on the character. Name, age, general look, general story (what they do, what their status in life is), some interesting facts.
The more unique, obviously, the better this list can be.
One thing that I haven't always done but I'm starting to do is to answer this question for every character in a story, whether they're major or minor: WHAT DO THEY WANT?
Motivation is huge because it reveals so much about a character.
Some characters might just want peace and a nice meal. Others might desperately long for identity. Perhaps others are searching for their missing brother. Maybe others can't wait to save twenty cents using a coupon.
The longer you work on a brewing story idea, the longer you can spend getting to know these characters. But remember--if you don't eventually START writing, simply getting to know your characters will be like the Fellowship of the Ring never deciding who's going to be the ring-bearer and never setting out on the long journey to Mordor.

A Life Of Playlists

I've spent my entire life making up playlists.

From listening to the radio constantly trying to find the right song in grade school, or making tapes in high school, I've been assorting songs ever since I could.

With the advent of iTunes—well, it's gotten a lot easier to make playlists. The beautiful thing is I've got over 17,000 songs to choose from.

So when I started writing The Solitary Tales, the publisher told me about a thing at the back of their books. It's called "Afterwords" and it features a few things about the book—an author note, some details on the story, or something like a playlist.

Well, with that in mind, and because this was my first foray into writing a teen series (my nod to the beloved John Hughes), I took those playlists seriously.

Very seriously.

So sure, I've spent a lot of time thinking of those songs that are the soundtrack to The Solitary Tales. At least some readers have enjoyed seeing them. This morning I got a reader note from Brittany, who said "Oh and the playlist at the end, that was magical! The songs go with the book so well, especially 'Beautiful' by Ruth Ann. I''ve got it on repeat all night long."
So let me share a few quotes from a Genesis song that was in the "For The Walkman" playlist in Gravestone.
This will only mean something to those of you who read Solitary.
This song comes off the second cassette I ever bought. Invisible Touch by Genesis. I bought it in tenth grade. For that reason alone it means something to me.
The song is "Domino".
Knowing what happened to Chris in Solitary, see if these lyrics apply:
"The grey of evening fills the room.
No need to look outside
Oh to see or feel the rain
I reach across to touch her
But I know that she's not there
Rain keeps running down the window pane
Time is running out for me"

Really sums up Chris at the start of the story, right?
It keeps going:

"Can't you see what you are doing to me
Can't you see what you have done
As I try to pass another long and sleepless night
A hundred crazy voices call my name
As I try to pass them by
I can almost believe that she is here
She's in the glow of the night"

Then there is the chorus:
"Do you know what you have done
Do you know what you've begun
Do you see we shall never be together again
All of my life"

I could keep going. Here are bits and pieces:
"Nylon sheets and blankets help to minimise the cold
But they can't keep out the chilling sounds
Will the nightmare soon give way to dreaming
That she is here with me"

And:

"In silence and darkness
We held each other near that night
We prayed it would last forever"

Or how about this gem? This totally could have come right out of Gravestone:

"Blood on the windows
Millions of ordinary people are there
They gaze at the scenery
They act as if it is perfectly clear
Take a look at the mountains
Take a look at the beautiful river of blood"
Yeah, doesn't sound like the upbeat "Invisible Touch", huh?
Oh, here's one last line:

"No there's nothing you can do when you're the next in line
You've got to go Domino"
I almost wrote an entire chapter around this song, but the book was getting a bit big so I decided against it. But you see my point.

These playlists really, truly do go with the story. In fact, for some of you looking for more answers, they actually give you some. ☺

In another life I might have been a radio DJ. But now, I just get to imagine it through the stories I tell.

Some Thoughts On SOLITARY

I just returned from being in the Carolinas doing a little research for The Solitary Tales. During the drive there and back, I listened to the audio book for Solitary. I typically don't reread a novel once it comes out, but since this is a series I wanted to go through the books again.
Here are some random thoughts about book one of this series:
#1. I can't believe I actually went through with the ending. Even though I knew what was coming (obviously), I still reacted with horror and surprise at the ending. Seriously. I thought How could you do that? I think it took a lot of guts to go ahead with that. If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I'd choose that ending.
#2. EVERYTHING is a big, fat question mark in this story. And that's probably why some people really, really hate Solitary. But there are reasons I chose to do this.
First off, I was always clueless in high school. I spent most of my time wondering about things. I went to four different high schools, and every time I changed I went through this whole questioning/wondering phase. That's why I have Chris doing the same--constantly asking or repeating questions. Whether or not this was a good decision, it was a deliberate decision.
Secondly, Chris has absolutely NO idea what's going on around him. Solitary is a book full of 100 questions with almost no answers. Again, some people really don't like ending a book with no answers. But every question that was raised has an answer.
#3. Solitary is more of a teen love story than a teen horror story. It's really about Chris and Jocelyn.
#4. I loved Chris's sense of humor. I know it's a dark series, but I forgot some of the random, quirky comments that are going through his head.
#5. I didn't know where everything was headed when I first wrote Solitary. I knew most everything, but there were small things that I've since answered.
I'll give you an example. Chris's mother drinks. She also has nightmares. I guess it makes sense since she's alone and divorced and living in a creepy town.
But in the spirit of answering EVERY question possibly raised, I have a very specific reason WHY she drinks. And I have an explanation for those nightmares.
I'm going to be writing books three and fourth back to back (Temptation and Hurt). I'm pumped and excited but I know the series as a whole will be judged by book four and how I answer all those questions.
We'll see if I can pull it off.

The Latest

Here are some things I've been up to lately.
I recently finished going through the novel I wrote with Jimmy Wayne (Paper Angels) one last time. It's scheduled to come out November 1. I can't wait to hear what readers think of this special little story.
I'm almost finished working on my first ghostwriting project I've ever done. It's a novel and it's related to a movie. That's all I can say about it. It's been a fun experience and has stretched me in different ways.
I've been in the Carolinas doing a bit of research for a couple of projects. One is a project that I can't say anything about. All I can say is that I hope it sees light of day. I'm in the pre-writing stage with that one. If it happens, you'll certainly be hearing lots about it.
The second project I'm in the Carolinas for is The Solitary Tales. I was recently surprised to find out that books #3 and #4 are coming out next year (Temptation comes out in April and Hurt comes out in September). I'll be writing both books back to back. I love this world I've created and the character of Chris Buckley. Hopefully I'll nail the final book in this series.
Before I know it September will be here and so will the release of the novel I wrote with Mark Schultz (Letters From War). It's another very special novel that I can't wait for readers to check out.
For you e-book readers out there, I recently discounted Every Breath You Take on Amazon.com to be only 99 cents. Check it out here. I also released The Promise Remains in its digital form, and will be releasing The Watermark e-book in the next week.
Thanks for your interest in my writing! I've got some cool things in the works the next year. The only reason I don't share details is because I never know if they'll come to fruition. But for you fans--I really feel I'm just getting warmed up. I really mean that. Just continue to stay tuned. And please be patient if I don't always respond to messages--life has been busy. And it's going to be getting a little more busy.
Have a great rest of your summer!

Journey

What path are you on? And where will it ultimately lead?

The Watermark cover (for ebook)

Heading In

I'm about ready to embark on a unique journey with my writing. I'm keeping it to myself because I'm not exactly sure what the outcome of this journey will be. I know what I'm hoping and planning, but life has a tendency to change those plans sometimes.
I've been a fortunate man with this writing thing. Seeing ideas put into story form. Seeing my name on the covers of books. Hearing from readers that have been impacted in some way by those novels.
Wherever this road is going to take me, I know that I'll always be writing.
It's going to be an interesting and fun next year. A busy year. A trying year.
More to come. Hopefully lots more.

Coldplay New Album 2011

Coldplay could have had a really nice career.

They could have made an entire career from their 2002 breakout song "Clocks."

It would have been easy to simply repeat that formula and make "Clocks 2", "Clocks 3", and "Clocks 4". When I ask my wife about their more recent material, she shrugs and says it's okay, but it's not "Clocks."

Back when Coldplay was making A Rush Of Blood To The Head, the band delayed the release because they felt many of the songs they'd recorded were "rubbish".

"It would have shown that we're happy to sit back on what we'd done and we're not," Chris Martin said. "For us it was important to progress and try to improve upon our abilities as musicians."

If they had indeed rushed that album's release, it would never have included "Clocks."

Creativity and drive are a lot like that. The drive to create something different, something better, something interesting.
So let's move up to 2011. Coldplay's been working for a while on album #5. Their last album, Viva La Vida, was in my mind their breakthrough album. They brought Brian Eno on board and the combination was magnificent. Don't get me wrong—A Rush Of Blood To The Head will always be a classic. And my heart will always have a soft spot for X&Y. But their last album really was amazing.
There have been three songs I've heard from this latest batch of songs. The first, "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall", prompted this blog post. My wife liked it, but said the inevitable "it's not as good as their old stuff."
My wife is a creature of habit. She never tries out new things. She's traditional and she's consistent. Perhaps it's her Dutch nature. Strong-willed, stable, secure.

I'm totally opposite. If I have the opportunity, I'll try out something new. A new entrée. A new formula. A new route. A new anything. Maybe that's from a youth where I lived fourteen different lives moving all around and such.

So when it comes to artists creating and trying new things, I'm all for it. I've built an entire career trying out different things. I love doing that. I will always be doing that.

Coldplay will always sound somewhat like, well, Coldplay. I doubt they'll do anything as drastic as pull a Kid A on us (though that would be highly cool). Chris Martin can only sound like himself.
Yet they continue to try and experiment and GROW. The last word is the key word. GROW.

I wish all consumers would be willing to grow as well. To turn the music up and get their new records on and shut the world outside until the lights come on . . .

I for one cannot wait to experience this next phase of this incredible group.

Coldplay brothers . . . you inspire joy and rebellious love inside my beating heart. Thank you.