Making the Book Sing: ROW80

You will probably notice a theme here that I get inspired by music. This last week, I have felt tired and achy from my lingering case of mononucleosis and uninspired when I looked at how my WIP was unfolding — like a badly wadded napkin. It was time to seek some inspiration, regroup, and develop a better plan. Part of that involved a conversation with hubby, some writing quotes, and moving some scenes around.
Today I worked again on my young adult novel, Sharing Hunter — which is a plot idea I love with characters whose stories I’m eager to tell. Thus far, the scenes I’d written were blah. I want to get back to not just telling the story but being a storyteller. Anyone can tell a story, just like anyone can belt out a song. But a storyteller uses interesting language, description, and dialog to pull the audience in, just as a singer (say, like Whitney Houston) uses the same notes everyone else gets but makes them resonate with beauty. I want my novel to sing.
So here’s a little musical inspiration for me from Straight No Chaser.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/KdmOVf8eam4&w=500]
This is what I want — to remember that there is skill, flourish, fun, and interaction involved in writing a book. I got excited today as I edited the scenes and started to see the words weaving together like a song’s harmony to tell the story and entertain the reader. I think I’m back on track now.
Here are my goals for ROW80 Round 1 of 2012:

• Finish editing Grace & Fire mystery novel and send to reader. Check. Finished this goal on January 19.
• Write 1,500 words per week on young adult novel, Sharing Hunter. Still reworking the few scenes I’ve written. I felt early on that I was off track and didn’t want to continue with less-than-exciting writing. So I regrouped and am going through what I’ve already written to make it sing.
• Blog twice a week on Amaze-ing Words Wednesday and Deep-Fried Friday, and check-in with ROW80 updates twice a week. Check. Posted Quoth the Writer & ROW80 on Sunday and A Lesson from Miss Spelling on Wednesday.
• Comment on at least 10 15 blogs per week (not counting ROW80 update comments). Check. Commented on 17 blogs.
• Read one writing craft book. Check. Finished On Writing by Stephen King.
• Read eight fiction books. 5 down, reading The Cat, the Lady and the Liar (a cozy mystery) by Leann Sweeney.

I have some fabulous fellow ROWers. Check them out HERE.
How’s your week going? Are you making your WIP sing? Do you need a little inspiration? Where do you go to get it?