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May 3

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15 days later

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28 days later
9 days later

I figured I'd add my writing for this prompt to thread here too:
Bubbles… A word that once evoked a feeling of happiness. Dredging up faint memories of times long past and wrapping my arms around myself I think about those times that seem so distant.
Closing my eyes, I immersed myself in the feeling of sunshine as I chased the iridescent spheres floating through the summer sky.
Curling further into myself, I wrap my arms around my legs as I struggle to even remember who had blown the bubbles I was chasing.
The vague remnants of laughter filter through the memory and I realize that I can’t remember any other people from that memory. The blank faces on unremarkable bodies only served as a reminder that I hadn’t been alone, my memory even refusing to offer even the slightest comfort.
Looking around the orb I found myself in, or a “bubble” as they’d called me when I was locked in here, I knew there would be no escape.
Despite that, I’d tried so desperately upon my arrival to find even the slightest exploit or weakness. Back when I’d had faith that I could escape.
The shape didn’t even leave a flat surface to sleep, slumped in the center of the sphere was the only option and even then, it surely wasn’t a comfortable one.
Transparent in its entirety, she knew that the cameras present in the room beyond kept watch on her every move, hoping to catch something new or exciting.
The scientists had experimented on her for as long as she could remember and the bubble was only the most recent experiment they decided to subject her to.
Once they’d realized her kind could live without sustenance for a sustained period of time, they’d been determined to test the limits of her ability to survive. 3 months in and she could feel her body struggling to do anything more than sleep, but it wouldn’t be enough for the scientists until she was nearing her end.
Then, they’d bring her back to health only to repeat the experiment again. And there would be nothing she could do about it. She’d tried to fight back, but by now, they know all of her weaknesses. Fighting them brings nothing but more pain.
Retreating to her mind once again, she begins to fabricate yet another story to escape her desolate reality. Painting vibrant colors into a landscape she could only dream of, she entered her own world, her own bubble to escape reality.

Also, James Arthur is a reasonable obsession. No apologies are needed :joy:

stop everything! you listen to James Arthur too?

I do! I think my current favorite is A Year Ago, what's your favorite?

Probably "Free Falling" at the moment. I like Sleep Walking, and Blindside a lot too rn, and I think "Just Us" perfectly fits the vibe of an upcoming chapter of DITRD which is pretty awesome. It's just a great song in general tho.

It is a really good song, tbh I don't think he's made a song I don't like. I'm going to need a reminder when we get to the chapter because I totally plan to listen to it while I read

Lol, alright, I'll try to remember when it releases, but the chapter is titled "Monsters Under the Bed."

Thank you! I'll write it down so I don't forget. Did you write the chapter with the song in mind or was it just something you noticed in hindsight?

We'll see how it impacts the total effect when you read it. It's a pivotal chapter.

something I noticed in hindsight. I've written a few chapters listening to songs ("Lullaby" was written while listening to "Free Falling.") But others I just realize line up in retrospect. Sometimes the whole story, or a whole portion of the plot's concept I feel can be summarized with one song, but it might fit a specific chapter really well too.

For instance "Sleep Walking" I feel really related to what Alicia's life was like when dating Etan, while having feelings for Kattar, so if and when I write more chapters about that, the song will be applicable BG music. Though (thank God) Alicia never used, and never would use, drugs to try to deal with the depression, she did use alcohol to an unhealthy extent, and basically every other part of the song applies.

Specifically the lines that stood out to me were the prechorus and chorus though, especially the part "I'm trying to matter in someone else's eyes."

I can definitely see the connections to the songs, I might have to reread some of the chapters while I listen to a James Arthur playlist, lol

This is such a powerful line for sure. All of his music really pulls at your emotions and feelings

I listen to music while I write too, but I don't think I've had any obvious connections to my writing yet. I've been listening to Benson Boone's album most recently though and I don't know that any of the songs relate to any of my recent writing

sometimes the feelings relate even if the song itself doesn't directly. The craziest connection to me was the way that virtually every part of "Free Falling," lyrics, vibe, etc fit "Hushabye Prince" perfectly. I'd love to have it in a movie version of it someday.

But I recently heard a song called "Sunday Crossword" by J. Maya that suits the (slightly more casual) concepts behind "Sun with a Paper Crown." It's a much lighter song, but it's about trying to make sense of what exactly your relationship is, and to me, it represents the playful yet confusing side of Kattar and Alicia's relationship. They've loved teasing each other, hanging out together and stuff since they were teens, but they aren't really sure where they stand as a couple or romantically.

Are there any songs that you feel fit the way your stories feels even if the words don't match?

Considering my current stories are fantasy, I'm imagining that some sort of whimsical music would work well as a general background.
There are definitely songs that fit the general feelings
- Car's Outside by James Arthur: I think could fit the general theme of not wanting to leave the person you love behind, which is something that is explored at the end of my first book.
- Forever and a Day by Benson Boone: I imagine that this is how my characters felt. Even though they didn't know each other for long, they felt like they'd known each other forever.
And I'm sure I probably think of a few more, but these were the first ones that came to mind.

I'm listening to this currently and I can see the connection to the themes in "Sun with a Paper Crown"

Oh, did you already know the song, or look it up cuz I mentioned it lol? My brother shared the song with me

I looked it up. I hadn't ever heard of her before, but I loved her voice and her storytelling ability. It suited the theme of the song well

I agree. it's very simple, but that's usually best for storytelling songs I think. Unless you're writing a musical lol