Love Lists

22 August 2012

While I read YA Highway religiously, I don’t usually participate in their Road Trip Wednesdays. However, this week’s prompt is so much fun that I couldn’t resist. Especially given how long I’ve gone without blogging. (I’m so sorry! Shame on me!)

The prompt this week was to create a “love list” for your story/WIP/book/etc.

What’s a love list? Simply put, it’s a list of all the things you love about your novel (or the things that sparked the idea) that serves as a lovely reminder of why the story is worth it when the going gets tough. (And boy does the going get tough when drafting, revising, revising some more…) This handy tactic is practiced by Stephanie Perkins, as she recently explained on Natalie Whipple’s blog. Read the whole thing here.

And now, to quickly share my love list for TAKEN:

an impulsive boy
an uncrossable wall
five red berries
birds flying in pairs
a stubborn scowl-er
a towering oak
heists
lies
brothers
a birthday
the addictive nature of uncovering truths
a girl with a voice like winter’s first snowfall
a stranger with a story
a criminal with a secret
black crows, hovering

Writing this was actually easier than I thought it would be. I think this list was always floating around in my head, subconsciously. (I’m not sure how I got through all my revisions otherwise.)

And because I saw Tracey Neithercott include some extra mediums in her love list post and thought the whole thing was stunning, I’m leaving you this two part song by Phoenix, Love Like a Sunset, which, in my opinion, feels exactly like TAKEN:

I’ll post again soon. I promise. Right after I wrap up this revision of TAKEN2 that’s been owning my life. ;)

Posted in Writing and tagged with , , ,

  • http://twitter.com/SarahEnni Sarah Enni

    Oh I love that song! And “five red berries,” and “a girl with a voice like winter’s first snowfall”.., Oh man! That sounds downright magical.

    So glad you participated in RTW this week! Look forward to more updates on Taken 2 &3, and of course #HPAlways!!

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Thanks, Sarah!! It will be awhile until there are TAKEN 3 updates (it’s currently but a twinkle in my eye ;) ). In the meantime, I have no problem keeping you entertained with #HPAlways!

  • http://twitter.com/SarahEnni Sarah Enni

    Oh I love that song! And “five red berries,” and “a girl with a voice like winter’s first snowfall”.., Oh man! That sounds downright magical.

    So glad you participated in RTW this week! Look forward to more updates on Taken 2 &3, and of course #HPAlways!!

  • http://twitter.com/katyupperman Katy Upperman

    Okay, yes… I need to read this book, like, yesterday. I second Sarah: It sounds magical.

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      I <3 you. (And Sarah, too, of course!)

  • Krispy

    I love your list and omg, I want to read Taken! I love the imagery of the birds and berries and “a girl with a voice like winter’s first snowfall.”

    Strangely enough, I feel like the song totally fits with the mood of the TAKEN cover!

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Thanks, Alice! I can’t wait for you to read. And regarding the song–I can’t tell you how many times I listened to it on repeat while writing. (It really does match the cover in mood/tone, huh?)

  • http://twitter.com/ctrichmond Caroline T. Richmond

    Oh, I simply love this list, E! It’s so vivid and mysterious and it makes me want to read TAKEN all over again!

    Seriously, why can’t I read TAKEN now? Why must I wait until 2013?! *Sobs*

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Oh, Caroline. This comment makes me so very happy! (That you’re anxious to read again, of course, not that you have to wait so long to do so.) ;)

  • http://www.caryncaldwell.com/ Caryn Caldwell

    Ooh! What an intriguing list. No wonder you had fun with this book. Can’t wait to read it!

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Thanks, Caryn! Can’t wait for you to read :D

  • http://twitter.com/YABookQueen YA Book Queen

    Fascinating list! “five red berries…a girl with a voice like winter’s first snowfall… a stranger with a story” — very intriguing lines.

    It’s the first time I’ve heard that song, and I love it. Thanks for sharing!

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Thanks for the kind words!

      If you dug that song, you should absolutely check out the rest of Phoenix’s album! They have such a unique (and fun) sound. :)

  • http://www.thewordsonpaper.blogspot.com Tracey Neithercott

    I love everything about this list. And the girl with the voice like winter’s first snowfall? What a gorgeous way of putting it. I can picture her voice already. Ah, as if I could want to read TAKEN any more…

    And thanks for the introduction to the song. I really like it.

    P.S. Dear TAKEN, hurry up already, will ya?

    • http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman

      Thanks, Trace! And I can’t *wait* for you to be able to read. Soon(ish). April will get here eventually… ;)