We're both in and writing about the From Stage Door Shadows anthology.
The cover is inspired by her short story.
When Jodi Cleghorn of eMergent Publishing asked if I would like to write a story for one of their speculative fiction anthologies, From Stage Door Shadows, I jumped at the chance. Not only because it was the first time anyone had ever actually solicited my writing (and I was damn excited), but because it was related to music—my specialty! But, I had never written speculative fiction before, so I was feeling a little angsty about that.
Once the
authors were finalized we were all sent the lyrics to the song the anthology is
based on. But I was unlucky. I didn't get the prompt I wanted! And I panicked! Great, I thought. I have to write in a style I'm not familiar with and with a prompt that doesn't inspire me? My
story is going to be bollocks ...
Blessing in
disguise? Absolutely.
My lyric
prompt, from the song Tiny Dancer, was "LA Lady". So, I asked Jodi if I could be
creative with it and give the acronym an alternative meaning, and she was all
for it. So LA Lady in my story, entitled MUTED, stands for Lonely A Capella
Lady, instead of a lady from Los Angeles.
Immediately,
upon Jodi's approval, I imagined a hearing-impaired and mute singer who became
that way through corporal punishment. I saw translucent temperature-controlled
bodysuits made from fetus membrane in her wardrobe, her old clothes hanging
limp like dismembered joints, a black lace corset with layers of raw blue-grey
silk and tulle fanning out into a skirt. I saw her performance before she was
tortured and left to take orders in a totalitarian society. A cross between
Maria Callas and Madonna, I thought—“the only woman to ever render an audience
of 100,000 mute in seconds.”
Holy cow! Computer! Now!
Within two
hours I had an almost perfect draft of a story written in a genre I had never
ever written in before. I had never felt so inspired in my life—and all from a
prompt I didn't even want!
What's my
point here, you ask? Well, sometimes shitty things really are for the best. Sometimes
we need to have faith that there are hidden gems embedded in our path. This was
one such case. Since writing this story, eMergent Publishing have decided to
re-release String Bridge this December (which went out of
print when my publisher closed down), and they have also partnered with me and
my Vine Leaves Literary Journal colleague, Dawn Ius, to
bring out The Best of Vine Leaves Literary
Journal 2012. The
opportunity to publish my next novel with them is also in the cards.
MUTED was my
hidden gem. And I haven't been the same since. Not only did the opportunity
reaffirm the power of hard work (and luck), but it changed the way I view my
writing, my world, and my career, for the better.
What events have acted
as positive turning points in your life?
Jessica's links:
NEWS!
Jessica has good news for commenters.
Her novel, now from eMergent Publishing, String Bridge is free today.
See Amazon! And help spread the word.
Happy Halloween! xo
Thank you so much for having me today! Such a great idea to swap blogs! :-)
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this post and how you took something difficult and made it work for the good. I am headed over to Amazon to get your novel!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelly :)
DeleteYay for your hidden gem, Jessica!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Likewise, Old Kitty.
DeleteAwesome Jessica. Your post is really inspiring about how something can really open doors. Good luck with all the good things coming up for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Natalie.
DeleteSo good to see you doing so well Jessica!! Great post on forging through and rising to the challenge!! Rock on!!
ReplyDeleteHey where did you pop up from, Angela? Miss your face around the blogosphere!
DeleteThere is no greater gift than the challenge that unleashes a writer's creativity. Congrats, Jess. I look forward to reading "Muted".
ReplyDeleteThanks, VR!
DeleteThat is an inspiring story, Jessica. And I cannot rave enough about String Bridge. You write beautiful prose. Congrats on...everything!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. Appreciate it!
DeleteCongratulations, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteAww, I love the idea of a lonely a cappella lady :-)
Thanks, Deniz.
DeleteSometimes shitty things are for the best - I dig that line!!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Feel free to use it!
DeleteHi Jess - such a great guest post - I'm so pleased String Bridge is being re-released .. and then the Anthology ... funny how things turn out. Love the thought of Lonely A Cappella Lady ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary.
DeleteIt sounds like the story had a big impact. I love your description of it, especially "the only woman to ever render an audience of 100,000 mute in seconds."
ReplyDeleteI often find that when we're called to do something out of our comfort zone, like write for a different genre, it's often a moment to grow as a writer. Looks like your moment turned out great!
ReplyDeleteJai
Thanks, Jai. Yes, it definitely helped me to grow.
DeleteWow! Sounds like quite the story! Isn't it wonderful when unexpected good comes out of something? Great to hear about your hidden gem :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanna!
DeleteIt is amazing to look back and see where our inspiration comes from! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. And sometimes surprising.
DeleteI love that your prompt was Tiny Dancer. One of my fav songs ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say that I never appreciated the song much until this anthology!
DeleteThe whole idea for this anthology was fabulous. Congrats, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteI love it when a story comes together like that. It's rare, but it's so awesome when it happens.
ReplyDeleteIt is rare. And something I'll never forget.
DeleteI love when ideas twist and take you in a new direction! So awesome that your story coallesced (sp???) like that in such little time :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Not sure I know the spelling of that without looking in a dictionary either!
Delete*waves peace sign* Heyya Jess! We never know how something or someone can inspire us. Fantastical! :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks!
DeleteI remember that story. It was dope.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thanks, Matt.
DeleteReading through this process was interesting. I believe in hidden gems, too.
ReplyDeleteMy faith in them has certainly been restored.
DeleteHi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about your process to how this story came about.
All the best!
Thanks, Nas!
DeleteWow! A cross between Maria Callas (one of my favorite opera stars) and Madonna! Now, that is an original character! :-) How great that you got that inspiration from something that at first you weren't drawn to. It really gives writers something to think about. A hidden gem indeed!
ReplyDeletePS: I've always liked "Tiny Dancer" too.
A Maria Callas fan, hey? Not many of those around anymore! Glad I'm in good company!
DeleteThat's awesome news, Jessica. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm not creative enough to write from a prompt. Though maybe next time I should think about the prompt while running. That will help get the ideas flowing.
I used to think that about myself too, Stina. Until I forced myself to try it. You'll be surprised at how different your work (and maybe better) it becomes!
DeleteI love how you expanded on L.A. Lady. Ingenious.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael :-)
DeleteEXCELLENT thoughts, Jessica! And you are so right--sometimes ultra shitty things ARE for the best!!!!
ReplyDeleteI so love your take on LA Lady. Pretty brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I absolutely love the imagery you saw when you got your story idea! It's amazing. It really makes me want to get my hand on the story.
ReplyDelete