Welcome inside, welcome back, welcome home… November is a great month to talk about the family aspect of Red Letters world, and how easily they find each other. I will also be welcoming a character to live in the blog pages as he’s been reduced in the books, so it is also a welcome to that character as much as it is to you, my dear readers. So, here’s this week’s welcoming playlist, please enjoy my writing hospitality.

First up is a bit on the nose, but welcome to my WIP world. A soulful bar and nightclub, with hosts always ready to greet you, and find out who you are. Much like me, open armed to characters and readers alike. I invite in, and am curious about everyone, even if I don’t pry until you’re ready.

Welcome To My World – Elvis Presley

The bar itself is a character that welcomes you. It’s got that lived in ageless thing, where the 1920s could happen almost 1,000 years later and still be current. Or you get musicians working on new music (for the time period) like this song, and it makes you feel like you’re back in the 60s and 70s watching Motown start, or giving that classic male singing group energy that doesn’t feel like modern music.

Coming Home – Leon Bridges

Some of our characters have been gone, and wish to come back home. Maybe they fear that it won’t be a warm reception? Or do they fear that it might be and that isn’t what they think they deserve, even if it’s a serious want. If you read these posts, you have an idea of who this might be about or for.

Home Sweet Home – Motley Crue

Maybe it’s a staff thing. Those shift changes mean that the bar never closes, but your entertainment does change around. So you might go from enjoying a story that hooks you to someone who isn’t as easy to read. If you feel like you don’t understand someone, no matter the language, the message is simple. Hello, welcome, please enjoy your stay, hope you come back again.

Hello, Goodbye – The Beatles

This last song feels like the bar’s anthem. The bar and the people alike agree to making this space home. To leave the troubles at the door, and make this little run down bar the place to settle down and start again. To grow roots, to feel safe. The literal version of the chorus parts about not being alone, and making a space home. That’s the Red Letters universe to me, I hope by the end of the series (or book one) you feel the same way too.

Home – Phillip Phillips