The Boundless Booklist: Guest Post by Leigh Talbert Moore, Author of The Truth About Letting Go

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Guest Post by Leigh Talbert Moore, Author of The Truth About Letting Go

Title: The Truth About Letting Go

Author: Leigh Talbert Moore

Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life. Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes. Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side. Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.

Up until now, Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, and then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, the rules, faith, and then she meets Jordan.

Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, he's a great kisser... but he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

When it comes to music, I'm like that dog in the movie Up... Doug!

Most songs tell a story, so when one I like comes on, I start singing or tapping along. Then I'm off imagining the story the musician is telling and not mine.

So basically, I can't write while music is playing.

BUT! I often use songs to help me remember certain scenes or to put me in the mood for a scene. If it's angry or happy or sassy. You know.

When I started writing The Truth About Letting Go, I had several songs swirling in my head. So I put them all together in an order that made sense, loaded them onto my iPod, and voila!

The Playlist for The Truth About Letting Go:

This first set all have that driving feeling that put me in Ashleyís frame of mind. Especially "Breakdown" by Ryan Adams. Certain phrases in that song make me think of her angry despair and just her inner turmoil, her questions. (Titles are linked to videos.)

"Breaking the Habit" by Linkin Park

"Breakdown Into the Resolve" by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

"Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy

Next up, "Here Comes Your Man" by The Pixies (This is for Jordan, obvs)

In the story, Jordan has to drive his momís ancient Toyota, and he and Ashley are forced to listen to her old music. "Zanzibar" by Billy Joel and "Missionary Man" by The Eurythmics are directly referenced.

Next, "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift (This is for Colt, obvs)

"Play With Fire" by The Rolling Stones. This one could be Ashley + Jordan or Ashley + Colt. Both of those couples are playing with fire in different ways.

"A Little Bit of Everything" by Dawes. This song could be Ashley's theme for the whole book. It sounds like an old hymn, which to me felt like the soundtrack of her ultimate realization and finding peace. Plus, the message is just so great. Itís a realization that it takes ìa little bit of everythingî to make a life.

"Strangers" by The Kinks. Ditto above, and it's the soundtrack to Ashleyís ìwalkabout.î

"Firefliesî by Fleetwood Mac. This one sounds like being at the creek to me and the things that happen there, which is a lot.

And there you have it! Happy reading and listening~

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About the Author:

Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former freelance editor, a former journalist, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a southern expat, a lover of any great love story, a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps.