This week, I am still in the Woods world, working on a scene that needs just the right flirty phrasing with that weighted double meaning. The scene came before the lead in, so I’ve spent 3 days just picturing out the moments, as if it was choreographing a fight scene. Now that it’s reasonably stable, I’m working on my layers. That’s the lead in to this sort of moment from where we are in the work, to where it’s going to go after, and also what the scene does besides turn the slow burn into a wildfire moment.

The reason this becomes a Music Monday sort of problem? If you have been following along long enough, you know that the Red Letters series is a slice of life set in a bar, with Woods as a musician and the Male Main Character. So, music flows as deeply in this series as the drinks would if it were a real bar. Every chapter title is a nod to a song that describes the chapter, as well as a simple title that makes sense for the story, if you don’t recognize the song itself. Like a special hidden reference Easter egg thing.

I’ve got a few songs I am circling around for some chapter titles, and I might as well let you guys in on the title process while I’m working on it.

I Am The Fire – Halestorm

This song? This feels like both main characters in that moment. It’s Woods musical tone, with the grit and chords. But the lyrics? That’s Tweety, in the middle of a turning point. Very few moments in life feel as literal a crossroads choice as this moment in the story. It hits all the right notes- internal monologues that act like pep talks before a decision. A chorus that’s a mantra one can repeat to themselves and step into that sort of mental space.

But… Tweety chapters aren’t that rock heavy. Those are Woods chapters, so it depends on the POV that chapter is told in. I have both POVs in the section, it’s just a matter of who tells it where and what fits. So, high on the list, but not quite the perfect title from both POVs.

Full Of Fire – Al Green

This? This is more of a Tweety song, full of the move and groove music that makes her go with the flow better, and it is the type of sound that hints at what’s about to come. It adds that sense of soundtrack to incoming sensual spicy potential too. But… it’s not quite what I want, I don’t think.

Baby’s On Fire – Sammy Hagar

Another Woods song here, but it fits Tweety a bit better now too. I have about 2-3 chapters to title in this heat section, so I am keeping this in the running. It has that tempo that can lead to the spicy times and the rock grit of Woods style. It says the right things in the lyrics, but not everything I am looking for.

Baptism By Fire – AC/DC

AC/DC is one of those go to bands for songs I like and fit the title story mood. Woods’ band covers a lot of their work, so it’s natural that they have something I can lean into as a song title choice. And it does fit with the thing Tweety is trying to do in the bar, a sort of impromptu show, that even Woods gets involved in before the night is over. It’s in their new place, so Baptism By Fire fits that theme of first times and christening their club their way for the first time as it happens.

A play on trial by fire if you will… so, it stays on the top 3 list of maybes. If you notice, each song leans into something a little bit differently, so it depends on how the scene goes to decide which extra tonal notes are needed.

One Shot – Lansdowne

One Shot is on my writing playlist, because it has that whole vibe of both MCs. The music is memorably infectious, often pulling me out of writing to pay attention. The lyrics fit the story in such a strong way. Woods is both that rock god who flirts hard core, but also isn’t the creepy flirt. It’s smart and he’s in tune with the one who pushes his buttons most. Very much attitude beauty, and it is a moment where the MCs move from musical suggestions and verbal teasing into something much more.

Bonus perks of this song? There may or may not be literal shots in this section… body shots to be exact. Which tends to suggest why this section gets a bit spicy and needs a song to match that energy. Also, I do not recall specifically anymore, but this video may or may not have been visual reference for a thing that happens later in the series, with a gift to the bar… but teasing spoilers aside, this one is a strong contender for the public bar version of the chapter, before it goes into solo time in their POVs.

That’s it for this week, might have to wait to see the book to see what combination makes it…