Chapter 7:
You Learn, Alanis Morrisette
Oh Alanis. If you are a certain age, this album was issued to you in college. You were required to purchase this album, along with Toad the Wet Sprocket and Hootie. Yes, I said Hootie, but I digress. The entire album Jagged Little Pill was brilliant, and I think we forget how different this record was, how it gave girls permission to scream and yell and not sound perfect and pretty all the time. I listened to this song a lot when I was writing the scene at the restaurant, Gladstone’s. This just felt like an outdoors song, a sun-in-your-face, drinking-beer-by-the-ocean-, flirting-your-buns-off kind of song.
Elderly Woman behind the Counter in a Small Town, Pearl Jam
Nothing turns me into a puddle of goo faster than Eddie Vedder. Except maybe Jordan Catalano. But for this scene, where Jack and Grace kiss for the first time, this song was very inspirational. I listened to it over and over again; in fact I put it on a continuous loop while I wrote. When I wasn’t grinning like a fool, I could feel the sand clinging to Grace’s fingertips, could feel the pinch of the tiny shells under Jack’s arms as he leaned in for the kill, and then the anger/humiliation when that wonderful moment is spoiled by…well…a rather rude bird. Play this song, and then go roll around on a beach somewhere. No beach? Roll in the dirt. Do it.
Chapter 8
Hold You in My Arms, Ray LaMontagne
This is when I really started to see a pattern in the music that inspires me, and in so doing, inspired this entire novel. It’s easy, it’s easy going, it’s a little silly, and a lot schmexy-times. This song I imagine playing as they are driving back from the beach, fully aware of their kiss and fully aware that they have taken the first step in their new wonderful “thing” that is developing between them. But it’s still easy, still mellow. And then when Jack backs away, and leans against this car, I saw this so clearly in my mind. What is it about a guy leaning on a car? It’s built in sex, and Jack was built to lean.
Onion Girl, Holly Cole
I found this singer late one night, flipping through channels and stumbling onto a Sessions show in PBS. And thank goodness I did, as she became one of my favorite singers. This song in particular, suggests Grace to me in so many ways.
I’m a bit unstable
She says, with a Cheshire grin
So many cracks in my sidewalk, boy
Well don’t you fall in.
Everyone has those layers, but when you start to peel, you don’t always find exactly what you want…right? Holly and Grace begin to discuss some of Grace’s fears about pursuing a relationship with Jack, and Holly true to form, bounces it right back at her.
Pretty in Pink, Psychedelic Furs
I have to admit, I had a blast writing this scene. As always, when I write Holly and Grace, I giggle and smile the entire way. And this scene gave us the title of the book, The Unidentified Redhead. Poor Grace, she just can’t catch a break.
However, as fun as this scene is, and the back and forth between Jack and Grace is off the charts, this is the first time Grace is photographed, having a simple lunch at the beach. As we will soon see, life with the new It Boy is anything but simple.
That’s all for today, see you again soon! And make sure you drop me a line! alice@aliceclayton.com. Let me know what you think about all the song choices, and if you have been listening right along with me!
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