Where do you find writing inspiration?
It can come from anywhere; a photograph, a news story, some choice words, a song.
I always loved this song by Richard Marx. The words tell a story of their own and it fascinated me. I had never seen the video until I looked it up on YouTube to add here. Sometimes you need a music video to bring a song to life, but this is one example where it’s not needed. I’m not saying that it is not a good video, only that you can create a vivid picture in your own mind just from listening to the words.
I created a piece of dialogue based on the story in this song. Have a listen and then see what you think. What would your take on this story be?
‘I thought I’d find you here’
‘Can’t have been difficult. This is where I always am’
‘Why didn’t you come and get me first, like we agreed? Richie, answer me, what’s wrong?’
‘I know’
‘What do you mean, you know’
‘I know about you and him. I saw you together’
‘Richie, I’m sorry. It just happened. I didn’t mean for it to, I was…’
‘Don’t insult me, Mary I am not an idiot’
‘Of course not, I’m sorry’
‘Yeah, you just said that’
‘It never would have worked out between us you must realise that’
‘No, why would I? As far as I was concerned, we were forever. You were my one, Mary. You understood me when no one else would even try. I thought you felt the same’
‘What you and I had, Richie, it was amazing, intense, but I don’t love you. Not like that anyway. We had a great time but I’m moving on now and so should you.’
‘So just like that, you’ve had enough and you’re leaving me. No discussion, nothing, is that all I get for giving you everything? Were you using me, was that it? I was the creepy dangerous one that no one else wanted to know, did that excite you, Mary?
‘In one way, yes, but no one understood me either. We were two misfits who found each other. I didn’t use you. Look, I am so sorry that you saw me before I had a chance to tell you myself. Believe me, this is not how I wanted this to end. I will never forgive myself for hurting you, but I need to go now, you need to let me go.’
‘You can’t go, don’t you understand. I thought we could leave this town, start a new life somewhere else. Then I realised that’s never going to be possible. This is our place. This river, it runs through you and me; like blood. It is part of us both. You can never leave it and it can never leave you.’
‘Richie, what are you going to do?’
‘Goodbye Mary.’
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I’m not sure what my take would be, but yours is very interesting. I love how you always leave the reader wanting more! And now I’ve got the song stuck in my head!
Hopefully that’s not a bad thing. It’s a good song – haunting, in a way.
No not bad at all!
Another fab piece, and as Ting has said you always leave us wanting more! You are very good at writing about the dead. This is one of my favourite songs but I don’t recall ever seeing the video. Thank you! #whatimwriting
Have I got a weird obsession with the dark side, I wonder!! I never saw the video either, you didn’t tend to see them back then unless they were on Top of the Pops. Gotta love the eighties hair haven’t you?!
I agree, it’s the thrill of suspense that leads you on. Often, I prefer the interpretation of a book or lyric that’s in my head rather than watch someone else’s if that makes sense? But then, I’ll come across a new interpretation and think ‘wow’-so it pays to keep my mind open!
I know what you mean. I have always found that song haunting and interesting all at the same time and I never needed the video to picture a story in my head. But when I looked it up, I thought it was quite good (for the eighties!).
I also love the song but had never seen the video before. I’ve always thought of it as a song that told a story – a sad, sort of threatening story! (the silly hair kind of undermines the drama a bit though!) I like your interpretation – you’ve built a sense of unease and underlying threat very well. Thanks for linking to #whatImwriting!
I agree, you can’t take him seriously with that hair. Did women really go for that? The interpretation of the song through the video is slightly different than I always thought of it, so it was interesting in that respect.
Both the song and the dialogue leave me with feelings of sadness – which is a good thing! I think you always need to create an emotional response and it’s possible with both storytelling and music. That song takes me back!
In my head, he was innocent all along, but the video gives the impression that he might not have been. It was this that inspired my piece of dialogue.
That was really well done, and I love how you took inspiration from the song. What a sad ending. #whatimwriting
I’m not sure I’d ever seen the video either! I will be humming the song all day 🙂 The dialogue feels very menacing by the end; you have built the tension really well x #whatimwriting
It’s all a bit chilling really! I like how you’ve finished the dialogue before we know for sure what’s going to happen, though there’s not all that much doubt in my mind… I’ve found that a song has become very important in the development of my novel. It wasn’t the initial inspiration, but it came on board pretty early on and has definitely infused its way through it. x
I like the idea of a playlist to go with a novel. Have you ever done that?
I haven’t listened to that song for a very long time. I used to listen to it when I was a child but never really listened to the words. Oh my how dark!
Your piece was chilling and I’d love to read more. The dialogue is great and I love how it gets darker as the conversation goes on. #WhatImWriting
It is dark, I agree. Made even more so with the video, I think.
Creepy, sad and written in dialogue. Brilliant. X
Thanks, glad you liked it.
I love a good chunk of dialogue.
I thought I’d commented but seems not so apologies if you get duplicate! This is a wonderful idea and one that I feel sure I will be trying to hone my writing skills, thanks Nicola! #WhatImWriting