Music in the words: Scoring The Secret War (Secret War files No.7)

One of the things I’ve been looking into over recent weeks is the possibility of an enhanced e-book for The Secret War by the end of the year, or in the early weeks of January 2013.

The e-book of the revised edition is about to hit the Kindle in a couple of weeks, but that limits the book to just one platform, something that I’m not entirely happy about. My view is that one e-reader shouldn’t dominate the market, so with that in mind I’ve embarked on a parallel project to publish via iBooks Author too. Not just a carbon copy of the Kindle version, but something that utilises the iPad/iPhone platform and Apple’s flexibility.

It won’t be the first Thirst eDitionFiction book on iBooks, but The Secret War will be the first enhanced e-book that Thirst eDition Fiction will be putting out. The difference between the Kindle version and the iBooks version will be content – the iBooks version will have a video interview,including author interview, readings of the book as well as never seen footage of the original book launch. It will also feature animations at the beginning of each part; for the iBooks edition, the book will be split into three parts – each part will have an animation, and also a musical score.

And it’s the score that has been occupying me of late. I would never consider myself as a renaissance man, more a writer who has been forced into artistic DIY due to financial circumstance. The cover, for instance, was designed and put together by this author, and the copy-edits have been done by someone I know. The formatting of the book will eventually be done by me, as will all the other marketing, publicity etc. To pay someone to do all that would have cost four figures or thereabouts, and this is a project that aims to demonstrate that one person can do all this themselves on a small budget.

That includes the theme music for the enhanced iBook version. I’ve always been interested in movie music (I have around 50 soundtracks to various movies, kicking around thehouse) so armed with a nice bit of software on the iPad I’ve been scoring a couple of tracks for the book. After a little tinkering, I’m now in a position to preview these tracks on this blog:

The first track is more of a stoical, adventure theme, aiming to be simple, brooding, and perhaps a little sad. It's called "William and Kieran's Theme":

This track, or a variation, will form the score for each of the three parts, though probably cut down. The last theme is for the end of the book, again a poignant piece about loss more than anything, but also about a new beginning (I won’t spoil it for those yet to read The Secret War).

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Again, this might be cut or altered; both themes are working pieces. But scoring The Secret War has made me look at the book again in a different way. There is a melody in writing, a movement in the words akin to music and getting that mood and rhythm right has been paramount. Too whimsical and it feels disposable. Too serious and it becomes turgid. There is a balance needed. I’m not sure if I’ve got that right in the music– I am still an amateur when it comes to composing – but I’ll be busting my own balls to get it right for the writing, believe me...

Progress is slow, but important

It’s been a weird couple of weeks. First I’m asked to consider writing a novella for a continent-based project – a project that has practically no limitations other than the word count – and then The Secret War edits turn into something more extensive. My copy-editor has put in a fair number of hours doing the edits so far, but as they are being done for nowt, they coming in a bit slow which means delaying The Secret War for a few weeks.

Which isn’t a bad thing. By publishing around 10^th September I can be certain it will get to you, the reader, in tip-top shape.

On top of that, I’m branching out into iBooks too. So expect an enhanced ebook of the Secret War coming out soon via Apple, one that has interviews, readings, animations and music. It should be fun.

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After a couple of bad days regarding the health of our second son, this is welcome relief. I guess that’s what’s made this a strange couple of weeks, and nervy ones. As a parent you spend most of your time keeping alive your baby – and it takes a lot out of you. Just as the writing does, for different reasons.

Here’s hoping that the next few months are easier on both the writing and the family ...