When is it too soon to start playing festive tunes?
After Bonfire Night? December 1st? Christmas Eve?
What about June?
For me, writing a Christmas novel begins on New Year’s Day and I’ll already have been thinking about the plot while the previous festive title is on the shelves.
My new release, A Special Cornish Christmas is centred on the lives of Bo, Angel and Ran who are members of the Falford Flingers, a rock and roll dance club. The story follows them as they prepare for their Christmas performances and find love in the most unexpected places.
The book is peppered with classic vintage tunes, from floor fillers by Elvis and Chuck Berry to hidden gems from Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans.
It’s easy to start writing a Christmas book when frost sparkles on the ground. It’s a different matter by the end when you’re reaching for an ice cream rather than a warm mince pie.
Music helps get you in the mood and in the case of A Special Cornish Christmas, it was essential!
On the hottest day of the year, I had Elvis’s Santa Bring my Baby Back to blasting out of my speakers, drowning out my neighbours’ lawn mower. I recall bopping around on the patio to Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms, thinking I had both the best and weirdest job in the world.
My favourite tune of the era is Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. It’s an ear worm, with a great sax solo and energetic vocals from Brenda Lee. It never fails to get your toes tapping and amazing to think that Brenda was only thirteen years old when she recorded it.
I’ve curated all the Flingers’ favourite tunes into a festive playlist that would put Scrooge in the mood for a boogie.
So why not curl up with the book and a glass of mulled wine and enjoy the music? I defy you not to sing along and who knows, you may even get up and start dancing!
