Ready, Set, (Song)Write!

I'm in the second round of revisions on Make or Break, and I find myself facing something I always suspected I would. My beta readers and editor know that the title is taken from my male character Seth's song. It's a very important part of the story, but while I've described the song in the manuscript, I never wrote the actual song.

Because I totally did not want to.

I used to write a lot of (extremely bad) poetry, but haven't written a stanza in more than six years. I've put off writing the Make or Break song because I'm worried it will be too awful or too simplistic. Yet it needs to be in the book.

This is where you come in. I've decided to have a contest. If you're a poet or a songwriter, and would like to have a bit of your work appear in the upcoming release of Make or Break by Etopia Press, grab your writing implement of choice and show me what you've got! Lyrics only, no music required.

1. I want at least two verses and a chorus.
2. Winner will receive $50, their entry will be in the book as the representation of Seth's song, and the writer will be given credit in the acknowledgments.
   
3. Winner retains the right to use the "song" in other works if they so desire.
4. Winner agrees that no further compensation will be received for the song, except what is noted in item #2.
5. Winner agrees that I might edit or revise portions of their entry, if I feel it is needed to better reflect what I want the song to convey.
6. If my editor and I don't believe any of the entries capture the essence of what we want to portray, I reserve the right to terminate the contest without choosing a winner.
   

What you need to know about Seth, Abby, the story, and the song:

SETH is a 32-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Think smoldery-sexy bad boy, with long hair, tattoos, and frayed jeans. But he's emotionally intense, and a master at conveying his feelings through his music. His band is called Dead End Road. He and his friends formed the band when they were 16, and Seth writes 90% of what they record. At a point approximately 5-6 years before the beginning of Make or Break, Seth was suffering from a bad case of writer's block. He couldn't write a song to save his life. The band was moving to the next level of their success, and he'd been listening to too many recording industry executives regarding how he "should" write, perform, and present himself and the band. In doing so, he'd lost his own creative voice. Then he realized he had to be true to himself and his talent, and essentially make or break it on his own. When he did that, he was able to reconnect with his creative energy, and never looked back.

ABBY is 34, a semi-reclusive writer. When Make or Break was released, she was in a dark place. She'd just suffered a series of losses, and had begun to doubt her own ability as a writer. This is the first Dead End Road song she'd heard, and it sparked her interest in their music, and ultimately in Seth. Its message inspired her to do what Seth did - to be true to herself and her voice, and believe in her talent.

THE STORY: Seth and Abby meet under regrettable (if somewhat amusing) circumstances. They argue, and don't much like each other at first. But in a subsequent conversation, they get talking about writing. The attraction has begun, but when Abby tells Seth that her favorite song is Make or Break, and why, their bond strengthens. The song led to her being able to write her novels, and he is touched to know his work had such an impact on her life.

THE SONG: Abby describes it as determined, sad, and defiant, all at the same time. It is the song that caught her attention, changed her life, and now is a bridge to her relationship with Seth. It is Seth's expression of how he got over his own block when he stopped letting others dictate what he "should" do. Seth plays the song for Abby at his concert the night they meet. It also has a comedic role in the story, when Abby's phone rings, and Seth hears that Make or Break is her ringtone. That ringtone also plays a role in saving both their lives in the final confrontation scene. In many ways, it reflects their relationship, that they have to overcome their issues, fears, and insecurities and take a chance on each other, the "make or break" of their future.

Wow, that's a lot, isn't it? Two more things...

The novel is a romantic suspense.

Seth's band is sort of "southern rock" in style. Not country, not hard rock, not emo-new-agey stuff. Think of the music coming out of Oklahoma and Texas. This band is based in Austin. The song should have dark elements of self-doubt and fear of loss of identity, then maybe a bit of anger about allowing others to influence the writer, then a breakthrough, defiance, and ultimately achieving.

DEADLINE is Noon, U.S. Central Time, on Friday, May 27th. Entries should be emailed to me at ripleygold@gmail.com, with your last name and "Song Entry" in the subject line.

What are you waiting for? I want to see my inbox full of great entries!

UPDATE 5/21/11: Entries are starting to come in. Two things I want to add, as if the bajillion things above aren't enough... 1) Let's avoid religious references, as I'm non-religious, and religion plays no role in the book. 2) Make sure that the lyrics are something that would also be ones that Abby could see as "her" story, the loss of creative voice, self-doubt, trying to please others, etc.

If any entrants want to revise their submission before the deadline, send the entry exactly as before, but also include "revised" in the subject line.

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED NO LATER THAN NOON ON MONDAY, MAY 30.

Multiple entries are welcome! If you have two totally different ideas, go for it!

Thanks!