Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, Rest in Peace

While writing my last blog post, I went to the Sparklehorse web site to create a link and got a nasty shock. Mark Linkous had taken his own life on March 6th.

I'm still very sad to have lost this incredible and unique talent. And worse, that he took his own life. Is it something about creativity and musical talent that runs concurrently with depression? Or perhaps it is that depression (and the events that cause it) that inspires the musical talent. Elliott Smith, Kurt Cobain, and now Mark Linkous...

The second Sparklehorse album, "Good Morning Spider," is one of my favorite albums. The unusual lyrics made a lot more sense when I found out Mark Linkous spent a lot of time convalescing. The song "St. Mary" is one of my all-time favorites. I use it as a sort of lullaby to myself when I'm having trouble sleeping; it always transports me to a peaceful and beautiful place.

As I mentioned in my last post, I used lyrics from several Sparklehorse songs in my novels. Thank you, Mark Linkous. And thank you for creating moving music for the joy of many. And we are sad that there will be no more.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/03/06/sparklehorses-mark-linkous-takes-own-life/

http://www.eowynwood.com/

Lyrics used in my novels – The Cure, Placebo, and more

To follow up on my last post – about how Brian Molko of alternative rock group Placebo helped inspire Naked in the Rain and Afterglow – it seems appropriate to talk about lyrics.

Music has always been a huge part of my life – my “first love” so to speak, along with books. Which is probably why the main character in my novels, Brian, is a talented musician, both classically (piano) and in the rock world – playing guitar, singing and forming his own band.

Music is critical to Brian, so lyrics tend to find their way into the text, whether it’s a song he’s listening to (for example, Pixies), playing on the piano (such as Tori Amos), or covering with his band (like the “The Kiss” by the Cure) – as he is a huge Robert Smith (pictured above) / The Cure fan.

I also decided to include lyrics as an epigraph for each chapter in Naked in the Rain, and in Afterglow on chapters of particular significance. For these, I chose lyrics that somehow reflect what happens in the chapter – whether it’s a general mood or something more specific – some characters even have “theme songs.” (I may share more about why I chose specific lyrics in future blogs…)

This resulted in getting permission from 21 different artists to include their lyrics in these books. Even more artists are mentioned within the text, but without using their actual lyrics.

Here’s a partial list of the artists and songs – you can click here to see a full listing of all artists mentioned or quoted in the books.

• The Cure – The Kiss, Lullaby, If Only Tonight We Could Sleep, Faith, and more
• Placebo – Bionic, Nancy Boy, Scared of Girls, Teenage Angst
• Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes, Precious Things, Silent All These Years, and more
• Pixies – Bone Machine
• PJ Harvey – Mystery of Love
• Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm
• Sparklehorse – Cruel Sun, Ghost of His Smile, Junebug
• Throwing Muses – Flood, Teller
• John Lee Hooker – House Rent Boogie

By the way, when Naked in the Rain was named, I had NO idea that the Red Hot Chili Peppers (who are mentioned in it as Stuart’s favorite band) have a song called “Naked in the Rain.” Seems like an odd coincidence! Speaking of coincidences, it has often seemed that Brian Molko and PJ Harvey have been peeking into my brain for their material… More about that later!

And yes, I promise there will also be blog posts that are not all about music! Leave a comment to let me know what you want to read about…

What Inspired Me to Write Naked in the Rain and Afterglow

That is not an easy question to answer. Today I will address one aspect. I’m sure there are many subconscious reasons in addition to what I write about today, and I may address this more in future blogs.

One of the biggest inspirations for Brian O’Kelly, the main character in Naked in the Rain and Afterglow, was Brian Molko (that's him in the photo to the left) of the alternative rock group, Placebo. Giant DISCLAIMER: This is not to imply at all that Mr. Molko’s life mirrors the life of my character.

Back in 1998, I first learned of Placebo when they appeared on MTV’s alternative program as guests. I really enjoyed the music, so I bought their “Without You I’m Nothing” album (quickly followed by buying their debut album, “Placebo”).

I didn’t know anything about Placebo other than their music. The lyrics really caught my attention, because they are openly bisexual – singing about relationships with both men and women. As a bisexual person myself, this certainly piqued my interest.

Those lyrics mulled around in my subconscious for a year or so. I was intrigued by Brian Molko, but still didn’t really know anything about him beyond the music, videos and photos. So – as is my way with my ever-creative mind – I made stuff up. This is when the story of Naked in the Rain and Afterglow started to form.

Again – a disclaimer that by no means do I imply that Brian Molko is in any way Brian O’Kelly from my books. However, this is how the character of Brian O’Kelly ended up with gorgeous blue eyes, dark hair, and musical talent – though I’m not sure I could write a book without a strong musical element, as music has always been so important in my life.

To get an idea of how Brian Molko influenced the story in a physical way, take a look at the video for “Pure Morning” – which was shown that fateful night in 1998 when Placebo were guests on MTV.

The photo at the top of this post is another visual of Mr. Molko that obviously influenced my books when Brian O’Kelly does the “girl thing” – even down to the pose with the cigarette from the opening scene in Naked in the Rain.

You might ask, why did the character Brian O’Kelly end up as a high-class prostitute? That is a good question, one I’m not sure I can answer, but I may try in future blogs…

Do you want to read more about inspirations? About Placebo? Tell me what you want to read about -- leave a comment!

Get your Advance Copy today!

Advanced copies of Afterglow -- the sequel to my first novel, Naked in the Rain – are now available! On my web site only, www.eowynwood.com. The official publication date is April 2010, at which point Afterglow will be available elsewhere as well.

Afterglow continues the story of River and Brian, two runaway teenage boys who have fallen in love with each other. Click here to read the first chapter – where you can also read the first chapter of Naked in the Rain.

Here’s a little more about Afterglow:

Brian and River have escaped the Houses, but can they survive Los Angeles on their own? Drugs and childhood demons seem set to destroy them. Not to mention working the streets....

Is their love and Brian’s music enough to survive the ultimate test? Crisis leads to a journey across the country to face the past, to Arizona to find peace, and finally to Portland, Oregon to find a home.

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Naked in the Rain, won several awards, including the international Next Generation Indie Book Awards (GLBT) and Best Books, USA Book News (Gay/Lesbian fiction).

Praise for Naked in the Rain:

“In Wood’s deft hands the book is like a Rorschach test, asking readers to determine whether it’s a modern subversive fairytale or a gritty post-gay drama...charming readers with its readability.”

Curve Magazine

“I am certainly recommending this book... Naked in the Rain asks some profound, disturbing and important questions.”

Just Out

“A dark look at two boys, struggling to find themselves, desperate for love... What’s most remarkable is the author’s ability to push us to explore our feelings about sexual identity.”

Hipfish

“Sometimes sensual, sometimes horrifying introspection into both human sexual depravity, and human ardor.”

Midwest Book Review