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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Musical Impressions 1: Tania Walsh


This week's Musical Impression is for a story by Tania Walsh of T. F. Walsh. If you don't know this blog, you should check it out; she has a fantastic series on mythical creatures. Thank you so much Tania, I hope you enjoy it.

When I received this entry I knew exactly what song I was going to pick and I've stuck with it all week – until last night. Yes, as is (apparently) a woman's prerogative, I changed my mind at the last minute. I hope you enjoy what I've chosen. I think it captures the spirit of what the lead character is feeling in this story, but I'd love to know your views. Love it? Hate it? Have a better suggestion?

Constructive criticism welcome.

DEAD LIES

YA Fantasy/Mythology

Joking about someone's death at school and then having it come true is never a good thing. Now minus her friends who are scared of her, Leev's life just got worse - a wraith turned up on her doorstep. She's dragged into a terrifying spirit realm where black swans dive bomb from the air, hungry to steal your eyes, where wolves the size of horses wear harnesses, and where beautiful necromancers control wild spirits to do their bidding.

Leev learns that Valkyrie blood courses through her veins, and she is appointed as a mighty Mist. Like all the females in her family, she must collect the spirits of dead heroes and guide them safely to Valhalla. 

A cinch, especially since Leev can sense which hero will die next and delivers them before her collection memo is even issued. But when her death-senses point next to her firefighter dad, she struggles to accept his destiny, and sets out on a mission to save him, even if means breaking all the rules.

However things just got complicated. Her ability is unique and drawing the wrong kind of attention. A demi-god and powerful necromancer both set their sights on her soul, drawing Leev into a deadly cat and mouse game. 

And the stakes are higher than Leev could have ever imagined.



Lyrics here

98 comments:

  1. Impressive premise!

    I think the music is a good fit, too -- love to know if the author thinks so?

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  2. That sounds like a scary story and the video is chilling too. Good choice though.

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    1. Definitely more to Leev than meets the eye, I think! Thanks Rosalind.

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  3. A good match going on there - a little dark, a little edgy. It works well.

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  4. That's an intense song to go with a spooky story. Nice.

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    1. Thanks Bish, I'm looking forward to reading Tania's story one day :-)

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  5. That really fits like a glove. :-D

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  6. Sounds an interesting story and the song is a good fit.

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  7. Spooky. I like the song and the premise! Sounds great!

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  8. Oh, nice choice! And boy, do I want to read that!
    Great start :)

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    1. Thanks Laura, and I totally agree. I can't wait for it to be published :-)

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  9. The song fits. What was your first choice?

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  10. I frickin love the song and it is spot on for the story. It is so right for it that it is eerie. As I listened, I could visualize Leev hearing the death call, but with her father's name. It gave me chills. As I read the blurb, I was hooked early, but when she heard the "death call" for her own father I knew I would have to read more. The music and lyrics added so much depth and emotion to the story it was as if it was written for Tania's Death Lies. Outstanding work, both of you.

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    1. Thank you so much Melissa, I really can't wait to read Tania's story one day.

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  11. Sarah, I love this song, and you're right... it's spot on for my story Dead Lies. It has the eerie feeling I was going for, and even the lyrics work. Leev faces so many scary things on her journey. Whisper is perfect...hehe even the title, Whisper, works since she hears names of the dead... Awesome.

    What a great concept... so excited to be your first victim. Thanks Sarah... going to blog about this...:)

    Thank to everyone who commented and liked the premise...:) Okay, going to play the song again...hehe

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, I really hoped you would. I hope you've been reading all the great things people have said about your pitch too :-)

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  12. Nicely done, Sarah :) The song fits well with the tone of the premise. Kinda spooky :)

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  13. Intriguing story premise, and good music choice.

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  14. I think this is a thought out choice, Sarah! You can't go wrong with Evanescence. : )

    I look forward to next week's inspiration.

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    1. Thanks Emily. Next week is something completely different :-)

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  15. I think this is a good match. Works for me.

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  16. Hi Sarah, I could have sworn I had your email but I can't find it. Shoot me an email at h mccorkle (at) wildblue (dot) net so I can contact you regarding winning an eBook of Born Of Fire! :)

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  17. Excellent! I've never thought of linking music to my stories. You've got a knack for it. The story also captivated me. I love vampires, witches and werewolves but it's such a breath of fresh air to read about something else. Kudos to the author!

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    1. If you like mythical creatures, you'll love Tania's Friday creature feature :-)

      And thanks for the kind words.

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  18. Sounds like you're spot on with that choice! I love Evanescence.

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  19. I had to come back again to understand the whole track. I never heard Evanescence before. I listen to English and American music a lot but this one some how escaped me. Could it be because my kids do not listen to this one and/ or the local radio station does not play. It is touching but boy - - - did I feel crept out !

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    1. You sound like me - if it's modern and my kids don't listen to it, I tend to miss it :-)

      And yes, definitely a creepy one!

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  20. I'm loving this new format. And the song does have a certain Valkyrie feel to it. :)

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  21. Great blurb and a fantastic song to match it. You've got a talent, Sarah--and since I consider myself a huge music fan, you're doing all sorts of great things for my happy. I am definitely going to have to check out Tania's blog!

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    1. Thank you, that's a really lovely thing to say. And yes, you're in for a treat if you check Tania out :-)

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  22. I love the blurb, and I love the song with it! You are so very beyond cool, Sarah. Seriously, this is brilliant!

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  23. The marriage of music and blurbs is such a great idea. I like your match this week. It's a great fit.

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  24. I love this new feature. And I love the premise of the story. Great choice of music to go with it.

    Good luck Tania with querying!!!!

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    1. Thanks Stina, I can't wait for Tania to be announcing good news :-)

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  25. Can't agree more with everyone's comments... Sarah did an awesome job with the song selection...Thanks. Love everyone's comments... so glad everyone like the premise..:) I sure hope to get this book out there soon in front of agents and publishers soon:)

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  26. The story blurb sounds fascinating...never heard this one by Evanesence, tho. Great pairing!

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  27. Took me a bit to figure out what you were blogging about as it has been a while since I last visited! The book sounds fab, sure wish I could write YA or children's ficiton.

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    1. Well I for one am glad you write what you do :-)

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  28. I love the premise of the story and the song you picked to go with it is perfect. I'm impressed!

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    1. Thanks so much Lynda. I can't wait to read Tania's book one day :-)

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  29. How cool to pick song to summaries. The story sounds neat!

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  30. Such a cool idea. I often have songs in my head that would work for my own WIPs. It's an interesting idea to have someone else choose a song. Kinda like having your book adapted to film!

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    1. No pressure then! ;-)

      Congratulations on making the ABNA cut, by the way :-)

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  31. I like this demi-god and necromancer angle. It seems like a really cool story. :)

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  32. Wow, now that is a fascinating blurb! And I think the music fits. Has sort of a dark edge to it, like the story. I'm curious to know what song you initially chose that you stuck with all week until the night before!

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  33. I change my mind a lot, too. Sometimes it works out for the better that I did - so feel good about your choice here!

    And thanks for your comments on my blog! Great to see you!

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    1. Oh my goodness, if I never changed my mind I'd never get anything achieved!

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  34. oooh Evanascence is perfect for this blurb. I think that Tania uses the word "where" too much though.

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    1. I know she's read all the comments here, so thanks for that. It's something for her to consider.

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  35. Wow, that's a creepy video. Sounds like a good fit for the blurb.

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  36. Dead Lies sounds awesome! And I can completely relate to the character. It really is never fun joking about someone's death and then having it come true. I had the same thing happen to me in sixth grade.

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    1. That does not sound good Cherie... oh no.

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  37. Great choice! A valkyrie-based story would definitely make for something different. I like the whole premise of trying to interfere with fate too.

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    1. Oh me too, I often play around with fate versus free will ideas. The whole concept fascinates me.

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  38. So much great feedback... it's awesome. Thanks everyone, and Sarah is a superstar:)

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  39. Well done! Love your choice, and Tania's book sounds awesome.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

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    1. Thank you so much Shannon, I can't wait until she gets a deal :-)

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  40. Tania's storyline sounds really cool. Now to listen to your selection. Don't think I know it though.

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    1. I love introducing new stuff. Hope you liked it :-)

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  41. This sounds like a great story and i love the video you put with it!

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  42. Thanks to everyone and Sarah for the awesome song you picked for my story:)

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I happily answer all comments on my blog, and by email if it's not a 'noreply' address :-)