Rothko's Rolodex

I mean, why not. I have my characters in my head more often than not. That’s a sign it’s going well. And it is! I’m doing a very thorough rewrite. To the core, more than before. Interestingly, some unexpected and major trauma a few months ago cleared the decks. I’m writing and revising with no self-consciousness whatsoever. At the same time, my artisanal Japanese paring knife sits at the ready. I’m loving it.

Is a novel ever truly finished? As far as I know, it’s never done. I am researching developmental editors and preparing a brief to send them once this rewrite is over.

So, the characters are in my head, their voices and thoughts my background music and sometimes louder. When I started this novel in 2009, its working title was ADVENTURES IN TREMOLO. My friend Emile Menasche, who I’ve known since 1982, kindly serialized a few chapters in the music magazine he edited. Stevie was there, and Jane, so nascent.

I associate characters with certain songs. Other writers do too, I imagine, and create playlists. A playlist is too cumbersome for me to even consider, let alone edit. Sixteen years of songs…

Stevie’s Walkman includes a lot of Roxy Music. Today, going into Trader Joe’s, I heard THIS, from AVALON (1982). I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds.

To Turn You On

I could show you in a word
If I wanted to
A window on a world
With a lovely view
From close up inside a single room
With an open book aside
Like you read in school
It’s so easy, believe me
When you need fun

I do anything to turn you on
Anything to turn you on
Is it raining in New York
On Fifth Avenue

And off Broadway after dark
Love the lights don’t you
I could walk you through the park
If you’re feeling blue
Or whatever

Spring Summer whenever
Winter through Fall
I’d do anything to turn you on
Anything to turn you on
I could leave you as you were
If I wanted to

Then I wonder is it fair
Now you’re on your own
Who cares about you
Except me, God help me
When things go wrong
I do anything to turn you
Must phone me, you know me
When things go wrong
I do anything to turn you on

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bryan Ferry

To Turn You On lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group