It's been a few weeks since I last posted an Audience Participation Twitterstory. Heck, it's been a few weeks since I last posted anything at all. This isn't due to any life changes or major catastrophes: it's entirely due to laziness and neglect. I do apologize for the neglect.

That said, I will be attempting to post these twice a week instead of the usual once, perhaps even posting two at the same time.

For those unfamiliar with the Audience Participation Twitterstory, here is how it works. Submit a word, any word, and I will use it in the body of a Twitterstory, with full acknowledgement and linking to your website, blog, twitter page, or where people can purchase your book.

This week's word is "Apropos," provided by my good friend Dan Klibanoff.


(character count, including title: 125)

Hopeless Romantic

"What's the title of your new story?"

"I Want My Heart to be Broken."

"Well, knowing you, that's very apropos."


 
Now that the print version of "A Little Soul: 140 Twitterstories" is available, it is time for a "Behind the Music" feature on the inspiration for the stories and titles.

Some readers and friends have noticed that some stories share the name as certain pop songs. To this I must say these readers have great tastes in music. But they are correct: song titles and lyrics heavily influence my writing and did play a part in the making of this book.

With the exception of "A Little Soul", I have listed the songs in the same order as the story it influenced appears in the book. I have also made note of the very few instances where a story appeared in the print version but not the eBook version.

Good listening and, as always, thank you.


"A Little Soul"
(A Little Soul - Pulp)

"This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave"
(This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave - Pet Shop Boys)

"Was It Something I Said?"
(Was It Something I Said - OMD)
"It's a Long, Long Way From Where You Want To Be"
(Pandora's Box - OMD)

"'Singer In the Band Made Me Want to Cry'"
(Country Mile - Camera Obscura)


"Motivational Tactics"
(He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's The Pilot - Grandaddy)

"Unrequited"
(Bowl of Oranges - Bright Eyes)
"Violet"
(Velvet Morning - The Verve)
"Temptation" (print version only)
(Temptation - New Order)


"Know By Heart"
(print version only) (published in different form as "Conclusion" in eBook)
(Know By Heart - The American Analog Set)
 
(character count, including title: 118)

"Singer In The Band Made Me Want to Cry"

It’s healthy to project that it’s the singer, and not you, who makes us cry.