(A/N I Have to break something to you guys, I'm running out of things to rant about (I view this as a good thing)…I have about three more chapters' worth of criteria, but if you feel like you could add ANYTHING, tell me because it WILL be used! Also, I have to say, I had a basketball tournament this weekend, and I think James Patterson looked at a certain #33 and instantly thought of the character Lissa. The makeup, the way she walked with her butt shoved in the air, everything…Thank you to all my reviewers (you know who you are, you wonderful people)!)
This chapter is a very special chapter, because it talks about one of my personal favorite things ever, SONGFICS! Now, for those of you who are not aware with song-fictions, (you're missing out) a brief summary is that they are any story that either a) are a usually short, simple fanfic that revolves around a song that is usually sung by a character, to another. Or b), any fanfiction (no matter how long) that has a song in it.
NOTE: always, always, ALWAYS include the name of the song and the artist in that chapter. I don't care where, just do it. There are two reasons for this. 1.)for people like me that want the song playing as I read the passage, and can't find it on YouTube by typing in the lyrics because there are TEN BILLION SONGS about love & loss. 2.) On the microscopic chance that you run into copyright issues.
First order of business: INCORPERATE THE SONG.
It is completely useless to have some random lyrics smacked on the page just to be able to call your story a songfic. You have to relate the song somehow into your story. The artists worked hard to make that song, so don't just go throwing it around like a hot potato game.
Lemme break it dawn fo ya. Let's take the song Futures by Jimmy Eat World (if you don't know that song, then look it up, because you should). Let's say, in the completely plausible chance, that Fang is listening to this song somewhere, or-even better- he's in a band that is playing this song. Max then is at the bar/club/restaurant that they are playing at. This will be from Max's POV, while she is listening to the song. Unless you, as the author, specifically choose it to be used as background music, make the song count. You should only use the song in your story if it benefits it in any way. So, Max is listening to the song (you should include the lyrics in your story) and…SO WHAT? You have to make it matter. Make her, let's say, contemplate her future while she listens to the song. This is a great way of ESTABLISHING CHARACTER, because we find out her opinion which you can change to make her a dynamic character. See how everything comes together? Then she looks up, see's Fang, and BAM there's your introduction to Fang. Now we know what Max thinks of her future, probably what her situation is, we know that Fang is in a band, he sings, and likely we know a bit of a physical description.
Second order of business: CREATE THE RIGHT MOOD.
Do not put Bullet for My Valentine or Slipknot in a scene that is soft and quiet, like dozing off during school. Same goes for Taylor Swift and a wrestling match. An excellent example of a song that creates mood is Divine Intervention by Taking Back Sunday (I will not tell you again- LOOK IT UP). This is GOLD if you want a slightly romantic scene while not making it mushy-gushy, yet maintaining a beat so the scene isn't slow and dreary. Remember that it is more than just the lyrics that make a song. Do you think Drop It like It's Hot by Snoop Dog (I know, dramatic change of genres) would be half as catchy or 'fly' if it didn't have the whistling and the sick beat? NO.
TIP: Even if you don't include a song in your story, it is a good exercise (if you're a music fanatic like me) to try to find a song, on your iTunes, iPod, 8tracks, whatever, that relates to any situation. I will tell you right now that I have playlists on my computer that say 'happy', 'sleepy', and even 'angsty bliss' to fit the mood that I'm in.
Third and final order of business: GENRES and TECHNICALITIES (lyrics, song titles, choosing the right song, etc.)
Let's break down some genres shall we? (Just a FEW examples) A rough estimate of the emotions/scenarios that are associated with that variety are at the beginning of description, then examples of some popular bands in that category follow.
POP: can be happy or sad, and has the most range of emotions of all the genres. This is mostly charts, so Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, etc. will do just fine.
METAL: usually angry or angst-ridden, it's hardcore stuff, man, like Bullet for My Valentine, Breaking Benjamin, H.I.M., etc.
CLASSICAL: calming, cool, refined, what they teach you in music class, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Edvarg Greig (is that how you spell it?)
COUNTRY: usually has something about trucks, girlfriends, Alabama, and their '6 string', can be used in down south BBQ's, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, etc.
CLASSIC ROCK: altogether empowering, you SHOULD KNOW THESE PEOPLE; Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.
PUNK/PUNK ROCK: rebellion and anger, good stuff is usually from the late 80's-early 00's; Sum 41, Blink-182, Bouncing Souls, etc.
ALTERNATIVE: second largest range of the genres, the next three genres can be controversial; The Killers, Jimmy Eat World, Cage the Elephant, etc.
ALTERNATIVE POP: usually about a girl/boy they're in looooove with, kind of all have the same hair; Mayday Parade, All Time Low, The Maine, etc.
INDIE: can be about whatever the heck you want, the most hipster genre; Modest Mouse, Arctic Monkeys, Ludo, etc.
HIPHOP/RAP: usually about bad times or dancing, gangsta moosic; Snoop Dog, Wiz Kalifa, Kanye West, Ciara, etc.
NOTE: if you are looking for more good dancing music, dubstep is a good go-to.
You should know about websites like metrolyrics, sing365, and elyrics at this point if you are writing songfics. Song titles must be used properly, so don't just take the most commonly said phrase and make it the title. I'm confident that you all know this stuff.
(A/N lots from the Punk goes Pop/Punk goes Acoustic albums, This Is Letting Go-Rise Against, Money In The Bank-Swizz Beatz, 1985-Bowling for Soup, the Humpty Dance- Digital Underground, again, if you have ANY IDEAS or COMPLAINTS, just click that wonderful little button down there vvv)