Songs often provide inspiration for my stories. Marty Robbins’ song Meet Me Tonight in Laredo gave me the basic idea for my
book 'The Comanchero’s Bride', and Ghostriders in the Sky is at the heart of my
book 'The Gunfighter’s Woman'.
Once again, a song provided the starting point for my
novelette that is included in the new western romance anthology from Prairie
Rose Publications—HOT WESTERN NIGHTS. My story is Give My Love to Rose.
Johnny
Cash fans will recognize that same title as one of his early hits. The song
provided the [quite loose] plot fodder for my story. I changed things around
and Rose became the main character. The man who came across the dying man
is a deputy U. S. marshal.
Here is Johnny Cash’s singing 'Give My Love to Rose'.
EXCERPT
Gray sunrise at her back, milk bucket in one hand and a
basket of eggs in the other, Rose Griffin gazed south beyond the river where
the railroad tracks cut across the prairie. The tracks were too far away to see
but, in her mind’s eye, she saw the abandoned water tower where Lon flagged
down the train. She imagined him turning Molly out into the small fenced
pasture with a natural spring and stowing his saddle and bridle under the
lean-to.
Lon had allowed himself a week to take care of his business
in Amarillo, including the travel there and back, which meant he should have
returned by now. He was a man who allowed himself few celebrations in life. He
wouldn’t miss being away from home at Christmastime unless he was dead. Truth
be told, when they’d said goodbye, she’d known he wouldn’t make it home alive.
Stoop-shouldered, eyes sunken, he’d wasted away these last many months and was
in no shape to make the trip to his attorney. They all knew it, but there was
no other way.
Lon’s plate was still at the head of the table. His mother,
Bess, couldn’t bring herself to remove it. The sight of it represented the hope
of his return, but too many days had passed to continue ignoring what had to be
said. Rose didn’t relish the conversation they had to have, but Ma was a woman
who found something good in everything and everyone. Her spirits seldom fell
for long. She hadn’t said the words, but Ma knew as well as Rose they’d seen
the last of Lon when he left home for Amarillo.
Bess Griffin was the mother Rose didn’t remember, and she
loved Bess with all her heart, and those feelings were reciprocated. Since the
day Lon had opened his door and invited her inside his house, Rose had
whispered thanks for this blessing every night before she went to bed. Despite
her upbringing, she wasn’t a religious woman, but she reasoned it couldn’t hurt
to speak her gratitude aloud just in case there was someone out there
listening.
Available on Amazon.com
Until next time,
Kaye Spencer
Writing through history one romance upon a time
Follow Kaye here…
I think music is such a great inspiration for so many creative endeavors. What I find interesting is that the first piece I wrote for my included story was a music prompt. There is something about the combination that just sparks the imagination. Thanks for the song and the stories your imagination has gifted us with. Doris
ReplyDelete"If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it..." ;-)
DeleteWonderful! I just started the anthology and look forward to reading your story, Kaye.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristy. *hugs*
DeleteI do that, too, Kaye. And being a huge Marty Robbins fan I recognized Meet Me Tonight in Laredo in your story! I've never heard Give My Love to Rose--so glad you included the link! You know I love your stories. Give My Love To Rose was no exception!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm tickled pink to have introduced you to a gem of a Johnny Cash song. Johnny Cash was *almost* as good of a musical storyteller as Marty. *wink*
DeleteI agree with you about music giving inspiration for a story. Sometimes I even make a play list for a character or plot line. I play it before I write to get my juices flowing.
ReplyDeleteI particularly love to read anthologies--and western romance is one of my favorite themes. I have to get this one. It's summer and I need some stories.
I wish you and the other authors who contributed to this anthology all the very best.
Sarah,
DeleteI've never put a play list together for a story. I do, however, listen to movie soundtracks when I write.
Thank you for your kind words of support. *hugs*
I, too have been inspired by a song, actually two songs, one from Garth Brooks That Summer and the title from Ian Tyson's rollicking polka beat, Horsethief Moon. So I understand how Johnny Cash set off your imagination. Isn't it wonderful when that happens!! I'm so proud to be part of this anthology with you and Doris and look forward to getting to know the other three authors, too. I've heard Johnny's song a couple of times, but now it's more special because of what it inspired. Keep on listening to those great country songs, Kaye, and write more stories.
ReplyDeleteThat Summer is a good one for expanding the story. I adore Ian Tyson's singing and his songs. Four Strong Winds and Someday Soon are two of my favorites.
DeleteHow can you not be inspired by music? It's mood writ large which we can tinker with at will. We can immerse ourselves at will, and indulge ourselves in memories, and bathe in melancholy at a safe distance because it can be switched off at will. Great piece and a great reminder on how to overcome writer's block.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably biased, though, because my husband is a musician.
As Bob Seger sings, "...give me that old time rock 'n roll..." ;-) I'm eclectic in my music tastes. If I like it, I like it. lol I agree that music is a great jump-starter to get into a writing mindset.
DeleteWhat music is your husband a musician of? (lol - does he sing, compose, play an instrument...??)
Music usually finds its way into my novels too.
ReplyDeleteI like finding out that we (as writers and just plain people in general) are actually more alike than we are different. And some 'important' person in history said something along the lines of 'music is a universal language'.
Delete