A Warm Breath and a Scream

Ransomesque

Hey Everyone,

I've been a fan since 1991, been in the 10C for over a decade, seen perhaps 15 shows in 5 states and 2 continents, and though I don't post much here, I thought I would share something and invite your feedback.

I have been writing for 15 years--almost the same amount of time Pearl Jam has been a band. Pearl Jam has always been a major inspiration for me. I often blast Pearl Jam to get my blood going and help me start typing. When I get stuck on a difficult scene, all I have to do is pull up one Pearl Jam song or another and my emotions roll, as do the words.

Anyway, long story short, after filling many journals, writing dozens of short stories and eight screenplays, I finally found the courage and stamina to write a novel. I spent three years on it, and it was rejected by nearly 60 agents before I found representation. My agent sold the book nine days later, and now my novel is going to be published in about twelve months.

When I started writing, when I started to listening to Pearl Jam, I was a high school and college drop-out making $5.00 per hour in retail. I did not study literature. I went to midnight album release parties, got the new Pearl Jam disc, and went home to burn one down and read the lyrics while the new stuff set me on fire. Of course I read a lot of books, too, but Pearl Jam was and still is my spark. Pearl Jam was always a positive influence in reminding me to follow my dream, to take comfort in music and words and the healing art that can come from confronting one’s demons and saying fuck you. Now, after 15 years, I have sold my novel for just enough money that I can make it as a full-time writer for a couple years while I write the next book.

Meanwhile, I have been writing some essays for my “author” web site, featuring some random thoughts about my work and things I like. I recently launched the site (which my wife, bless her, built for me), and on it, if you are interested, you will find an essay or article titled, "A Warm Breath and a Scream," where I talk about how, oddly enough, BREATH kept popping into my head while I wrote my book, and how the music played a part in my maturation as a writer.

Even more oddly, my novel is a psychological horror thriller, a la THE SHINING. So there really is no direct fit with BREATH (as you will read, if you pop on by). But there is no doubt that Pearl Jam's music encouraged me to plumb the depths of my deepest fears even as I reached for the stars and tried to write a scary but hopefully somewhat poignant story.

So consider this a thank you to the band, to the fans for supporting them, and an invitation to check out my essay. And of course, as Pearl Jam fans, you have every right to tell me if you liked it, didn't like it, if I am just nuts or if my piece resonated with you in some way.

If you are interested, please visit:

http://www.ransomesque.com/Warm_Breath_Scream.html

My homepage is:

http://www.ransomesque.com

Here’s to the band. I thank them for keeping the fire going all these years.

Warmest regards,

Chris Ransom

Switch

Dude, make sure you give a shout on here when it gets published on Amazon or in stores. I'm in the UK so I dunno if it'll get published in stores here or not, I guess it depends how big it is.

Ransomesque

Thanks for the kind notes.

Regarding my novel appearing in bookstores in the UK, yes, there is a very good chance of that. I can't announce anything official yet, but my publisher here in the States informs me that we have an excellent shot at selling the UK rights / the book being picked up by a UK publisher for additional distribution there. I'll definitely keep you posted, and feel free to drop me your email address (through my site, or to ransomesque@gmail.com) if you would like to get on my "mailing list," which is really just an announcement list. I promise not to share your email address with anyone, and not to bombard you with junk.

Thanks again.

Cheers.

Chris

UsmanI

Im a writer as well, focusing mainly on new fantasy, and I find that everything I write has something of Pearl Jam embedded in it. Usualy it's a line from a song or the title of one that I use as a chapter, but I find the inspiration always creeps into my work. And not just PJ, other music as well, like the Hip and their wonderful poetic songs. In fact, i posted a short-short story inspired by Yellow ledbetter on here a while back.

It's cool to see that you're on your way to getting published. I have one novel done and im working on the second one but it's gonna be slow due to college and everything. I imagine it must have been hard even getting an agent.

Ransomesque

Hey, thanks for sharing. I'm glad I am not the only one who finds himself inspired to the point of finding Pearl Jam creep into my work.

Good for you for keeping up the writing, and I would love to read the Yellow Ledbetter-inspired story if you can find it here.

Finding an agent is indeed very difficult, but it's much, much easier to do once you have written something compelling and of quality. When I was younger, I worried too much about marketing my work and not nearly enough about writing well. I think you will find that if you pour your heart into your work first, then go hunting for agents and others to help, you will be amazed by the results.

A lot of people want to believe that the magic bullet is contacts or networking or whatever. It's not true. I did not know a single agent when I completed my novel. I just put so much work into my book that I was determined not to quit pitching it until someone noticed. No doubt I was fortunate, and timing is a factor. But it would never have happened without all the work first.

Keep writing, write from the heart, get feedback from others, rewrite your work over and over to make it better--then go after your agent or market.

The only failure is quitting.

Good luck, and thanks again for the post!

Chris

Kushikushun

I often get visual ideas for films, paintings or other fine art stuff when I play their music! So I can relate to what you are saying. Isnt it great that the guys put in so much energy and that that energy becomes multiplied by thousands when they release it?!!
I became aware of that when I first saw them live. I could really feel the energy going back and forth between the public and the band.

I guess all life is like that, but I really notice it when it comes to PJ.
Hope I dont sound too out of there...haha, I am a grounded person...usually

heartdesire

Congrats! I read the reviews for your book and it is well received!

So glad you persisted and that you had pearl jam inspiring you along the way!!! We all need a light when facing darkness and the unknown ... time and again pearl jam has been that light for me as well!

Much success to you ... and remember, as your light was lit you will be the light for others! Keep the torch burning bright!

dcfaithful

Ransomesque wrote:

Hey Everyone,

I've been a fan since 1991, been in the 10C for over a decade, seen perhaps 15 shows in 5 states and 2 continents, and though I don't post much here, I thought I would share something and invite your feedback.

I have been writing for 15 years--almost the same amount of time Pearl Jam has been a band. Pearl Jam has always been a major inspiration for me. I often blast Pearl Jam to get my blood going and help me start typing. When I get stuck on a difficult scene, all I have to do is pull up one Pearl Jam song or another and my emotions roll, as do the words.

Anyway, long story short, after filling many journals, writing dozens of short stories and eight screenplays, I finally found the courage and stamina to write a novel. I spent three years on it, and it was rejected by nearly 60 agents before I found representation. My agent sold the book nine days later, and now my novel is going to be published in about twelve months.

When I started writing, when I started to listening to Pearl Jam, I was a high school and college drop-out making $5.00 per hour in retail. I did not study literature. I went to midnight album release parties, got the new Pearl Jam disc, and went home to burn one down and read the lyrics while the new stuff set me on fire. Of course I read a lot of books, too, but Pearl Jam was and still is my spark. Pearl Jam was always a positive influence in reminding me to follow my dream, to take comfort in music and words and the healing art that can come from confronting one’s demons and saying fuck you. Now, after 15 years, I have sold my novel for just enough money that I can make it as a full-time writer for a couple years while I write the next book.

Meanwhile, I have been writing some essays for my “author” web site, featuring some random thoughts about my work and things I like. I recently launched the site (which my wife, bless her, built for me), and on it, if you are interested, you will find an essay or article titled, "A Warm Breath and a Scream," where I talk about how, oddly enough, BREATH kept popping into my head while I wrote my book, and how the music played a part in my maturation as a writer.

Even more oddly, my novel is a psychological horror thriller, a la THE SHINING. So there really is no direct fit with BREATH (as you will read, if you pop on by). But there is no doubt that Pearl Jam's music encouraged me to plumb the depths of my deepest fears even as I reached for the stars and tried to write a scary but hopefully somewhat poignant story.

So consider this a thank you to the band, to the fans for supporting them, and an invitation to check out my essay. And of course, as Pearl Jam fans, you have every right to tell me if you liked it, didn't like it, if I am just nuts or if my piece resonated with you in some way.

If you are interested, please visit:

http://www.ransomesque.com/Warm_Breath_Scream.html

My homepage is:

http://www.ransomesque.com

Here’s to the band. I thank them for keeping the fire going all these years.

Warmest regards,

Chris Ransom

hey man.

first off i must say, i love your devotion to what you enjoy...

i'm a hobbyist photographer, going to school to be a professional...and it's my passion. pearl jam has 100% inspired me to move forward with my photography. from one PJ fan and artist to another, i think your inspiration and what you do is awesome.

don't stop.
ever.