Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature hosted at Tinasbookreviews and highlights indie, unknown, up and rising and debut authors. Basically its all about authors and the great books they write. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to...
~SARAH JIO~
Today Sarah will be sharing some thoughts on music and how its influenced her writing!
The Waters of March
by Sarah Jio
Few people know that when I sat down to write The Violets of March, I started with a song called “The Waters of March” by the late Susannah McCorkle (originally the early title for my book, before it was changed to “The Violets of March”). It’s a beautiful song that I think everyone should go download on iTunes and listen to. I challenged myself to imagine a story based on this song, a story that would match the beauty of the music. The story came to me quickly, and I got a first draft written in the period of a few months, often listening to “The Waters of March” on repeat as I wrote.
I don’t think writers should underestimate the power of music in their work. After all, psychologists have dubbed music as a “mood-altering substance.” Music can help a writer craft her story with deeper emotions and greater meaning. That’s why I put an entire playlist together while writing the book, and listened to songs that fit each scene. For instance, in the parts of the book that took place in the 1940s, I listened to some classic music that sparked the feelings and motivations of my characters. To see a playlist of the music I listened to while writing my novel, click here. [LINK: http://www.sarahjio.com/?p=957]
I recently sold my second novel, The Bungalow, to Penguin (it’s out in April 2012) and music was an important part of that writing experience as well. And, my third novel, in progress right now (can’t wait to share more about it!) was completely inspired by a song I heard on the Siriously Sinatra Satellite Radio Channel. The morale of the story: Music may be trying to tell you something. Are you listening?
Thank you for having me Tina!
**Sarah Jio is a veteran magazine writer and the health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine, a role she’s had for nearly three years. In addition, she is a women’s health contributor to Womansday.com, the web site of Woman’s Day magazine. She has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and top newspapers including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, Hallmark magazine, Seventeen, The Nest, Health, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, The Seattle Times, Parents, Parenting, and Kiwi. In addition, Sarah is a monthly columnist for American Baby.
Sarah has a degree in journalism and writes about topics that include food, nutrition, health, entertaining, travel, diet/weight loss, beauty, fitness, shopping, psychology, parenting and beyond. She frequently tests and develops recipes for major magazines. Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband, Jason, and young sons Carson, Russell and Colby. Find out more about Sarah at www.sarahjio.com
~Thank you Sarah for stopping by, best of luck to your new novel (I know I absolutely adored it!!) and I cant wait to read your second novel The Bungalow~
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Sarah I have one lovely new paperback copy of The Violets of March to giveaway. This is open to to everyone. Just leave a comment and a winner will be drawn April 29, 2011.
The Violets of March
A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author. In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.
Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.
A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.
I just finished this one! It was quite good! :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds GOOD. I love the "diary" connection.
ReplyDeletenowakoski(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Sounds like a book I would love! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteannettesspot (at) gmail (dot) com
Sounds absolutely beautiful, great review.
ReplyDeleteventurinhawendy(at)gmail(dot)com
-Mocha from A Cupcake and A Latte.
I love to have music playing, even if it's something classical in the background while I read or study. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
Love music, love the cover... okay... I'm in! :)
ReplyDeletebooks (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
I love music but usually I don't listen to it while I read. Not that it bothers me because I've done it a couple of times. I just don't have the habit.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll give it a try next time :P
Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com
A new to me author!! Her book sounds really interesting. Pleaseenter me for it.
ReplyDeletefollow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Looks wonderful! THanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I didn't hear about this one but I really love its cover :) Thank you very much for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSyki
[email protected]
This is the first I have heard of this book but it does sound like an interesting read so please enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for opening it to worldwide entries.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I'd love to read this. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Tina!
Joy G Lee G@aol. com (remove spaces)
book sounds great
ReplyDelete[email protected]