In the first book, one of the characters we meet is Woods. Part of his journey is his career path. He’s a Main Male Character, and there’s this band element to his goals. But before the good started to happen to him?

Woods was ready to give it all up.

He thought he gave it the best he had, and maybe it was time to think about stopping, because the trying wasn’t working. At what point do your dreams break you and you no longer chase them with the rest of your life? And does it stick or do you relapse into those dreams, that drive, like it’s ambitious addictions?

Best I Can – Art Of Dying

That ambition? It can feel like Don Quixote fighting windmills. But, it could also be the moment of defeat that is the moment of breakthrough. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. How do you gauge something like that, though? Especially when it depends on other people, not just your own skills. Never quite know when the last time is the one to give up on or if it’s the next attempt that breaks through the wall, the block, the problem. Because you might not see what’s happening on the other side. Could be crumbling to your will. Could be making minor progress. The grand canyon is just a river doing the same thing over and over for the longest time, but look how much changed around it…

Break Down The Wall – Stone Fury

How do you fight the feelings in you? Switching between motivated and useless is hard. Doing it for years? Can feel like you’re treading water, stuck somewhere between searching for signs of hope, or letting yourself just be tired and let go. Letting go won’t solve anything, it’s just a dark place to live at that isn’t meant to be a home. Sometimes all it takes is a little help in a way we don’t expect that makes the darkness a little less unmotivated. All feelings are valid. It is never advised to do a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Deep Water – Charlotte Leigh

Where is he in this darkness? That place that isn’t looking for love, doesn’t feel worthy of it. Especially when his dreams are on the line. If Woods feels like he failed at one, he feels like it all won’t go right. But fate is full of second chances and opportunities to fix mistakes and dare again. Only if you’re strong enough to know what you want. Casual sideline sorts will miss out. Play the game that plays you and see what happens…

Don’t Fall In Love With Me – Story Untold

The thing about Woods? He’s got enough darkness to be in the greys… Sometimes a dirty white knight. Sometimes that sinful shade of black that makes you want to see what happens in the dark. It’s not his looks that sell him alone. It’s that British accent, the words he teases and stresses, the way he can sing a song and sound natural while also seducing. It’s a charisma of control, command, and the sense that the game is chess, never just boring checkers. If you asked Woods what flavor of ice cream? Definitely doesn’t look or act like a vanilla guy. No amount of personal mood changes that part of him.

Control – Puddle Of Mudd

And the bonus song this time? It’s a hint at where Woods is when we start seeing him appear in the story for real. Both for his what do I have left to lose attitude, and the teasing reason of why the little lady who has never seen him play but somehow knows his name matters now. Shifting focus can sometimes do what you can’t do alone.

Dangerous Animals – Arctic Monkeys