NaNoWriMo: Hundred-Hit Wonders (Book) http://www.Writing.Com/main/books.php/item_id/1611422-NaNoWriMo-Hundred-Hit-Wonders This time Braden really was moping. As they got closer to Amber, he couldn't concentrate on anything. He'd play X-Box or watch his personal TV for a few minutes before switching it off in exasperation. He was back to scribbling out everything he wrote in his song notebook, tearing out pages and crumpling them up. And, of course, he wouldn&#...[Read Full Post] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:02:33 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/678060 "Ok, I think I can do it now," Braden said. "Thanks for the help." "No problem. Just remember to credit me on your next album!" Braden's mom went upstairs, and he contemplated the list. He looked at his pathetic attempt at lyrics and tried to figure out how to make them catchy, sexy, singable, fun, clever, and fit into 4/...[Read Full Post] Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:11:48 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/677774 Braden moped. He hid himself in his rec room, wore a bathrobe, didn't shave or shower until he noticed his odd smell, and survived off pizzas and beer, the boxes and bottles from which littered his space. Josh was the first to get bored. If he was going to be a dad, anyhow, he needed the money. He was good looking; he could make it in the music...[Read Full Post] Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:03:52 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/677400 The day after meeting Amber, that fateful moment when their stars crossed backstage at the Lady Gaga show, Braden tried to conceal his infatuation by sitting in the bus all day playing X-box and watching satellite tracking TV, twittering and facebooking, and finding new and innovative ways to harass any of his bandmates who happened into his line of visi...[Read Full Post] Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:24:20 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/677225 Time whizzed by like the last week of summer vacation. Everything was going perfectly: studio time was flawless, and their CD was ready for distribution by the end of the week, looking really professional with Jess's cool album art. Uncle Razz booked them two more gigs before they travelled to Vancouver for the regional Band Wars championships: the...[Read Full Post] Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:02:50 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/676796 The regional championships were a month away, and would be held in a big auditorium in Vancouver. Braden rode back home with his parents, but before they left, Uncle Razz told the band, "We've got to record the rest of your songs and cut your CD asap. I'll book more studio space, and you guys practice. Specially you, Braden." "W...[Read Full Post] Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:25:44 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/676466 Band Wars day. Their first live performance ever, it was being held by Mountain Park, an amusement park just outside of town. That meant another early morning and a short road trip. Braden and all the gear was riding with Uncle Razz in his van, and the others were with Matt in his Mustang. They would have an enormous following: the guys had formed a ...[Read Full Post] Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:59:25 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/676327 The next four days were spent with the band practicing in the rec room. The rec room took on the new name of 'HQ' and the four members spent all their waking hours there. Well, the three with musical ability did; Braden came and went, thinking they only needed him for pep talks and emotional support. His singing wasn't important. When he ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:23:22 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/676210 Next day was really the beginning. A decision was made that would eventually rocket them to stardom. Matt came over with his actual guitars. He was first, again. Braden texted Josh and Matt texted Jess. "I looked through all the one-hit wonder songs I could find, listened to them, and this is the one I think we should start with:" Matt sa...[Read Full Post] Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:52:54 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/675823 Chapter Three Josh was already trying to work his special magic, aka 'I'm good-looking, sleep with me' on Jess. "You don't look like an Indian," he said. "Yeah," Braden piped up. "Matt's blacker than you. Are you full-blooded Indian?" Matt said, "Indians come from India. Jess would probably prefe...[Read Full Post] Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:26:09 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/675677 Braden laughed. "After all that hard work recording and editing, why bother?" Of course Uncle Razz had a drum kit. Actually, it was his son, Tyler's. It was one of those things Tyler had just never pursued. Uncle Razz had always wanted Tyler to learn drums, start a band, and become a rock god. Now Tyler was a medical software deve...[Read Full Post] Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:26:26 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/675516 By noon, Braden had managed to both get out of bed and shower. He emailed Uncle Razz and texted the guys, then started researching "How to Start a Band" sites on the internet. Matt was the first to show up. "Good news," Braden told him. "My Uncle Razz is coming over tonight to help us out." "Who is this amazing Un...[Read Full Post] Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:57:25 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/675381 At the end of the song, Braden was thronged. His adoring fans loved him even more, despite the fact that he couldn't sing or dance. The crowd insisted that he do more, but Braden gave the mic back to Reg and went to the kitchen with Matt and Josh. Josh had picked his girl-de-jour, a bubbly little thing in uber-tight clothing named Samantha. B...[Read Full Post] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:29:26 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674962 Chapter Two The day's events could only be topped by a really fantastic after-party, which was scheduled to take place that night at Zachary Stanley's suite. Yes, Zachary Stanley lived in not a house but a suite, the penthouse suite of the most expensive executive living complex in town. It was so expensive that residents were not allowed to ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:32:48 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674779 Braden grinned at Mr. Branaghan and nodded. "Not bad, eh Sir?" Mr. Branaghan did one of those slow head-shakes that people in authoritative positions in schools always do before saying "I'm very disappointed in you, student X. I thought you were more (sensible/intelligent/responsible) than that." He didn't say anything, just i...[Read Full Post] Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:56:46 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674639 At six a.m., the sun was just starting to show on the crest of Hell Hill. It was coming up pink, lavender, and salmon, like the colour scheme for a girl's blog. Braden sat in his Ram, parked in the strip mall, waiting for an answer to his texts to Josh and Matt. Matt's text came in to a merry Rammstein tune. "c u in 5" it said. B...[Read Full Post] Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:12:14 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674459 Braden walked around the school checking everyone's progress as well as supervising his own groups. Braden was the most popular person in SWC. With is exceptional good looks and charisma, his perfect teeth in his perfect smile, and his glinting blue eyes, he was practically a god. If he had an idea, everyone who heard about it was on board. If he...[Read Full Post] Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:18:13 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674293 Hundred-Hit Wonders The Friday afternoon sun setting over the other side of the city cast a warm orange glow on three boys sitting on top of a racy black Dodge Ram on the edge of Hell Hill. They were sipping beer and watching strips of street lights come on and twinkle in the dim city streets below them. From their vantage they could see Sir Winston...[Read Full Post] Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:52:03 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/674236