We fast forward almost a year to see some of what played out between the Dad, the music, and the mother of Nelson. The butterfly effect has had its way with a few things, and the secrets of LBDG are finally revealed…or are they? Other tidbits: This chapter originally began with the death of Jim…
Commentary 15: Prophet 15
The “Local Boy” sections seem to really resonate with readers. It also has been called out by two different reviewers as something that they wish I had explored more, specifically the repercussions of “stealing” music from the future. In hindsight I see their point, though at the same time I actually thought I had acknowledged…
Commentary 14: Fourteen Rivers Fourteen Floods
As was hinted at previously, sometimes my muse gives me unlikely inspiration during the writing process. The ability of the narrator’s father to see him wasn’t in the original plan, but for some reason I kept adding little scenes mentioning this. I didn’t really know why at the time, but since it was just a…
Chillin’ Like A Covervillain
Last night’s episode of the podcast Coverville included a Timely Persuasion themed musical trivia segment that I submitted. Check it out at the link below: Coverville 465: My cover requests are like a button – I can’t stop pushing it. My portion starts at the 41:04 mark (or go to the last bookmark if you…
Commentary 13: No, For The 13th Time
If the deleted scene at the 1946 World Series is the “lost chapter,” then the Hearts tournament would be the “found chapter.” Why? Because I forgot to write it the first time through. It was in my original notes and outline, but for some reason I skipped over it when doing the first draft in…
Commentary 12: Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Stopping the wedding was one of the first ideas I had for the book and ended up being among the first scenes envisioned and outlined. The movie cliché is to have someone who is secretly in love with the bride or groom object, but I thought having a blood relative with an equally impassioned statement…
Commentary 11: Won One
The idea to name the chapters after song titles came to me out of nowhere at 2 o’clock in the morning, and I immediately got out of bed to start brainstorming. It ended up being an easier exercise than I anticipated, though number 11 was the one I had the most trouble with. “Eleven” by…
Commentary 10: 10 A.M. Automatic
Our hero pays a visit to his sister for a progress report, and ends up in a place that was as surprising to the author as it was to the character. Read on… Observational blinks alternate between being up high, down low, or (almost) just right to keep things interesting. I tried to fit in…
The Universal
Just got back from a weeklong trip to Boston for Jon Mack’s wedding. Chapter commentary posts will resume tomorrow, but due to popular demand I’m posting my best man speech below: Can I have everyone’s attention? I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you for coming together today to celebrate the marriage…
Commentary 9: Drivin’ On 9
Everything before this was setup and foreshadowing. In this chapter we finally kick off the mission that will be the focus of the main story. Other tidbits: I really liked the idea of placing the sister’s death on 9/11 by pure coincidence, as I’m sure there were other real life passings overshadowed by the gravity…