Last weekend our local newspaper had an interesting article in the USA WEEKEND about great music videos. It was called, Five simple Rules, and one of the contributors was the country singer, Gretchen Wilson. After reading the article, I realized it applied to novels. Since I enjoyed it so much, I thought it was worth sharing and comparing.
Rule 1: Bring out the heart of the song.
Gretchen commented it’s necessary to, “Reach out to people and say things in their own language, and speak what people feel in their hearts.”
Since I’m a firm believer that stories have a melodic flow, this totally rang true. She spoke of the visuals in videos, and I compare it to covers, and blurbs. Capture the essence visually, and in a few words. I do that with titles as well, and it has to ring true and come to me the way the stories do.
Rule 2: Get real
On one particular video, they wanted Gretchen to lip-sinc. It didn’t feel real to her, and they had her sing it live and she connected. In novels, stay true to your character’s voice. They deliver your story, and it’s their stage. Let them have free rein.
Rule 3: Make ‘em laugh!
In novels, I’d add the full range of emotions as well. Readers need to feel your story, or they won’t be connected. Give it your heart and soul, and readers will be in that moment with you.
Rule 4:Sprinkle in cool cameos.
Characters again; make ‘em interesting. I love my secondary characters sometimes as much as the main ones. Who knows, one day they might want their own book. Happens all the time!
Rule 5:Be sure the song is great!
Absolutely applies! Gretchen said, “The music comes first always.” It’s how I feel about my stories and, in this comparison, the story is the song. No fancy packaging, or high price tag can disguise a poor story. The princess might make it to the ball, but her dance card might not fill up. 
If you could add a rule to the keep it simple list what would it be?
That list seems pretty comprehensive, LaD. And very good. Thanks for sharing. I love it when we can see the overlap between different methods of artistic expression.
I’d add: rhythm rules our universe, our world, our bodies. Nothing is more important! We’d die if our hearts lost their rhythm.
Michelle, isn’t it interesting how much they really do connect? I just love that, and I’m interested in reading about all forms of creativity. Probably because it’s so magical.
Spy, I love that! Poetic, and absolutely true. Just beautiful…
Oh, good post, LaD. I love Gretchen Wilson anyway, but this resonates with me. Hmm, the only addition that comes to mind is don’t sing beyond your range, or for writers, be true to your voice, because honestly, there are very few writers who can write well in all genres.
Thanks, Jan! And Gretchen does rock!
Your comment is right on too. I know my strengths, and there’s no way I could skip around and dip into several genres. Staying true to voice is what it’s all about IMO. It’s what makes the writer unique.
Hmm, maybe I should take up singing. Country you think, or head banger music?
Great post, LaDonna, and all great points made in the comments.
Must go place kiss in my forehead (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Hey, Lainey! You could pull off country, and head banger no problemo! Your, KISS, would’ve been a catchy title. Wonder why they didn’t use that?
Loved this blog, LaD. And love KISS as a title too.
For my books, not for everyone’s, my addition to Make ‘em laugh! is Make ‘em cry.
Some songs and some books are terrific with just laughter, but my favorite books take me through a spectrum of emotions.
Thanks, Edie! And I agree on the cry rule too. I think since we write similiarly, we usually go there. If not cry, at least a tender moment to savor along with all those quirky characters and fun!
hmmm, let me think, maybe the old saying don’t stress the small stuff?
Hey Karin, absolutely applies! Great rule. And, one of my favorite sayings, cause in the big scheme of things, there’s a lot of small stuff. Save the sweat for the gym.
Very appropriate list, LaD. You’re right … it matches writing as well as music. Can’t think of another rule to add. It’s late and my brain is shutting down.
I like the “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Lived by that rule for a very long time.
Hey Liz, you gotta be beat on Friday nights. And yep, sounds like a rule you live by.