sarah · dessen

And that's why I love Owen so much.

Because it's true -a song can take you back to any moment in time. Moments seemingly so insignificant, it takes you by surprise when you remember them and realize they were more meaningful than you ever thought possible.

'Free Falling' takes me back to the times when my sister was in high school, living it up, doing homework with 90s rock songs blasting from her room.

I didn't realize how true this was until I read your comment. I remember a song - by Maroon 5, I think? - that was on the radio about three or so years ago. *Lyrics: I don't mind spending everyday, out on your corner in the pouring rain. Look for the girl with the broken smile. Ask her if she wants to stay awhile.* I remember two moments from that song. One was on the bus to school, and another on a field trip. Gawd, I miss those times. Even if I was in a war with someone.

That quote about music is hands down my favorite quote of all time.

I've always wondered...what type of music do you like? To be honest, I've never heard of anyone you mention. But maybe that's just because I'm not an under-dog music kind of person. Who knows. ANYWAY. I listen to Evanescence, Aly & AJ, Matchbox Twenty, Linkin Park The Fray, Lifehouse, ect.

Also - why don't you ever talk about your writing on here? Not that I don't love reading about your day-to-day life, but I'd like to hear some behind-the-scenes type of interesting stuff. Everyday, I pour my heart out in journal entries about the struggles I'm having with my writing, and read my friends'. Of course, you can't do that since you will publish the book you're writing, but, you know...I need SOMETHING.

Questions #1 - When can we hear some back-story, behind the scenes, type of info on Lock and Key? We got a summary. Detailed, as usual. (Not complaining.) But the kind on your website.

Question #2 - I don't mean to be rude and barge into your personal life...but do you write full-time? And, uh, would you say you make a lot of money for a writer? (The second question, you totally don't have to answer.)

Question #3 - (Warning: Random) Do you play the Sims2?

I agree with that quote. There are songs that I can associate with high school, books I was reading at the same time, and just moments in the past. It's neat how songs can trigger those memories so easily. Tom Petty has a lot of memories for me, and it just so happens that I'm getting tickets to his concert this summer! I suppose I should go get them soon; they're likely to sell out fast.

And by the way, I just finished This Lullaby for the third time. I have to say, your books are just so easy to read over and over again. Thanks Sarah :)

My waitressing "song" is "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. For about 2 years, my boss thought we should pretend like we were a 60s diner, so he ordered a satellite station that only played 60s music. And I swear to God, "Stand By Me" was one of maybe 4 songs that stations owned the rights to, because it would play like 10 times a shift. It's a good one though, so it's all okay.

When I hear "Free Falling," I think about Tom Cruise flipping radio stations to find a song to commemorate signing a big gun in Jerry Maguire. Remember how he stopped first at Just Call Me Angel? Awesome movie moment!!

How sad is it that my memory is actually someone else's memory--and a fictional memory at that!

One song that gets an immediate gut reaction from me is the Wallflowers' Wonderwall. I remember listening to it on constant rotation on the pop station after I quit my nice-paying job and spent about a month driving around Phoenix trying to find another nice-paying job--and instead found crappy ones with cocaine-using interviewers.

:o)

Because we are, like, exactly the same age: yes to all of your Tom Petty observations. I, too, predicted American Girl. (Though that song makes me think of a scene from Silence of the Lambs more than anything else.) And I also worked in food service when the album with Free Falling was out and we listened to it all the time. (Though THAT song also makes me think of Jerry Maguire now, which is unpleasant because Tom Cruise gives me the creeps...)

Hey,

I doubt you ( sarah) actually ever read what people write, ha ha. however I LOVE your writing and I' would LOVE for you to make movies about your books especially for "the truth about forever" anyways I am a huge fan, and would love to hear more from you!
k bye

Free Falling just makes me think of Jerry Maguire. And I love that movie.

What is that movie about? I love the song free falling ha ha, they played it 3 times at my school dance!

The song Mickey makes me think of my big brother's wedding. I was at the bar getting a soda and my cousin came over and I ended up having a great conversation with him. (I'm normally a very quiet person.) I wanted him to come dance with me but he said he had to go. I was dancing to Mickey and all of a sudden he showed up and finished the song with me. I was more myself that night than I normally allow myself to be. Dancing with my cousin to Mickey is one of the best memories I have. Thanks so much for this entry and making me think of this again. I've had a really bad couple of months but after your entry I'm smiling again!!
THANKS!
Jean

My fav is Into the Great Wide Open--vintage Petty. Gotta love him!

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Speaking of music, I totally get what you mean about Ben Lee. I just listened to two songs of his and I'm already in love with his music. One of my favorites is Alexi Murdoch...

I bought Birds and Bees on iTunes because of your last post and I love it!

I know you've written about this before, but I wanted to let you know that I stumbled across That Summer and This Lullaby in French today (I'm in France for a few months). I remembered you talking in here about how they changed the names, but it still bothered me that Remy got changed to Julie and Dexter got changed to Damien--it simply isn't the same! Still, it's pretty neat that the books have been able to reach audiences in different countries.

I came across this journal just as I'm doing a project on Just Listen. Just an hour before reading it I read Owen's music quote. creepy. But I totally agree with it.
I absolutely love your books. It would be really cool if they got made into movies!!

Sarah,
I just started reading your books and I love them!!! I love how you use people in all your books that had there own story, but does that mean i should read them in a certain order? what other types of books do you like to read? Do you like the "It Girl" books?

I watched Friday Night Lights instead of the Super Bowl too! I much prefer fake football:). Though I must disagree with you on your favorite player pick. I am a Seracen fan all the way!

QUESTION: Are you a fan of the TV show FRIENDS?

I picked the 2nd two songs that he sang - but I didn't bet any $$ - gee, maybe I should have, that woul dhave made the Patriots loss a little more bearable!