Love Songs

There are some love songs that are so evocative and conger up such images that they are a story onto themselves.  I’m not talking about the tune that was playing the first time I slow danced with my crush in junior high, Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” Nor Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves a Woman,” when I was in college dancing with a different boy.  Those songs can remind us of the one we danced with and kissed, but the song is only the trigger for the memory. 

What I’m talking about here are the songs that tell a love story that we all relate to.  Think of  Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight.” This is a song that tells a universal story.  One that even if you never experienced, you can imagine.  You know there’s no future with him, but you’re attracted to each other and “you’ve got tonight,” something could happen.  Maybe you’re on a vacation and meet this guy.  You might have gotten into something except that you don’t live anywhere near each other and you’re too new in the relationship to commit, but you do have tonight, so “why don’t you stay.” There’s a compelling story there that we all relate to.  It’s the reason the song stays in our head long after they’re over. 

Then there is “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore” sung by Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, the story of a love gone cold.  You can imagine the wife waiting for her husband to come home from work as she tries to muster up the courage to talk to him about their relationship.  She’s afraid of his response, the pain she will feel, but she knows she has to confront him no matter the outcome.

I have only skimmed the surface of the love songs that have touched me.  Besides songs by Bob Dylan, Restless Heart, Peabo Bryson and Dan Hill from the past, there is Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason,” Sam Smith’s “Stay” and John Legend’s “All of Me” to remind us that love songs are still strong and capable of touching us.

Great love songs raise the bar on romance novels.  I want my books to have that same impact.  I want readers to be thinking about my characters, believing in them and imagining their lives together long after they’ve finished the book.  Great romances do that.  It’s the reason that “Pride and Prejudice” is such a universal classic.  It also happens in more contemporary romances.  Think of Marian Keyes’ “Anybody Out There.” I listened to it on a CD in the car.  When I realized what had happened to the hero, I had to turn it off so I could mourn.  In Jane Green’s romance “The Beach House,” another book I listened to in the car, I worried about the characters between car trips until all their problems were resolved.  And then I missed them.  In these romances the authors created such compelling characters that we believe in their stories long after they are over.   

As a romance writer that’s my goal, to make my hero and heroine and their love so compelling that we believe in them and worry and think about them even when the story is done.  I hope that I succeed.

Deborah Nolan is the author of Suddenly Lily and Conflict of Interest published by Montlake Publishing and Second Act for Carrie Armstrong published by Desert Breeze Press which will soon be available in hardcopy through Amazon.

Words to Inspire Teenage Girls

by Victoria M. Johnson

We've all experienced the angst and awkwardness of being a teenager.  What with acne, classmates who taunted us, parents who didn't get us, and homework that overwhelmed us, it's a wonder we made it out of high school with any self-esteem or confidence.  Yes, we had it bad but, in retrospect, the world didn't stop spinning as we thought it might.  And actually, I think teenage girls today have it much worse than we did.  They suffer through the same experiences as us but I believe they have far more stress nowadays.  What can we do as moms, sisters, aunts, or friends?  We can listen and we can speak inspiring words to the teen girls in our lives.  We can show our love and support through words that bolster and lift the spirit.  I'm sure we can all find encouraging words within our hearts to speak, but teen girls sometimes come with hard heads, don't they?  Sometimes they only hear it when the words come from someone else.  With that in mind, I've gathered up some powerhouse help.  I've called in the troops in the form of A-list artists whom your teens may identify with: Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, and Lee Ann Womack.  These talented women have recorded confidence-building, constructive, and affirmative songs for teen girls.  Teenagers love their music, right?  We may as well reinforce the good songs they're hearing through their earbuds.  Hearing these words, along with a strong hug will give any girl a boost of assurance.  Let's spread the girl power!

Roar by Katy Perry

"I went from zero, to my own hero"

Katy Perry's upbeat song is as empowering as Helen Reddy's I Am Woman was back in the 70s.  This song tells of a woman who was pushed around but she's had enough and she has the confidence to stand up for herself.  The message to pass on is: get back up when others try to knock you down.

  

Beautiful by Christina Aguilera

"You're beautiful, no matter what they say"

Christina Aguilera sings about not letting other's hurtful words get you down and about us being full of beautiful mistakes.  The message to pass on is: even if you make a mistake, you're beautiful anyway.

Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly"
Through Kelly Clarkson we get inspiration to take a chance by making a change that allows us to reach for a better life.  The message to pass on: we don't know what the future holds but it's by taking a chance that we find our wings and opportunities. 

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

"Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens"

This heartfelt song doesn't promise life will be perfect.  It speaks of life's setbacks but with the hope for keeping a positive outlook and adventurous spirit.  The message is: just because you've been disappointed, don't give up.    

Respect by Aretha Franklin

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me"

This song demands respect to the point where Aretha spells it out to make it clear what she wants.  Although your teen likely doesn't know Aretha, these lyrics still resonate and stand the test of time.  The message to pass on: always expect to be treated with respect--you deserve it!

  

Perfect by Pink

"Change the voices in your head

Make them like you instead"

When all the above fails to lift the spirits of your teen, pull out Perfect aka F**ckin Perfect.  Why would I recommend a song with the "f" word in it?  Well you have the choice to hear it without the curse word, just listen to or buy the clean version.  Second, the song powerfully gets to the negative self-talk some teens have inside them.  And when it's the outside world that is being cruel, it might come as the best encouragement to hear a loved one say, "please don't believe those negative things.  Don't let anyone make you feel less than perfect."

Of course, sometimes the situation a teen is facing at school demands action and intervention.  That is when the principal is visited and/or the police are called.  This is where the listening comes in (and watching your teen's behavior) to make that determination.  In all cases, it's up to all of us to give inspiration and a fighting spirit to the young girls we love.  If you can't speak the words, play the song for her or print out the lyrics.  And don't forget to say, "I Love you; I'm here for you; Come and talk to me about anything, anytime!"

Did I leave out a song you find particularly motivating and uplifting for teen girls?  Let me know in the comments below.

Bio: Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride.  She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.  Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter or Facebook.