We had the pleasure of chatting to debut author Rayne Lacko about her recently published novel A Song For The Road, along with writing, inspiration, and book recommendations!
Hi Rayne! Tell us a little about yourself!
Hello! Thank you for chatting with me. I’m an author and journalist who teaches creative writing to teens. I am a huge fan of travel, and I’m into music, art, nature, and studying languages. I live on a lush, forested island with my family and our pets, and I’m so grateful that I get to be creative as my career — and inspire others to be creative, too.
A SONG FOR THE ROAD is your debut novel. If you could only use five words to describe it, what would they be?
Sweet, gritty, epic, musical, coming-of-age.
Now, let’s hear a little more! What can readers expect?
When his house is destroyed by a tornado, fifteen-year-old Carter Danforth steals his mom’s secret cash stash, buys his father’s guitar back from a pawnshop, and hitchhikes old Route 66 in search of the man who left him as a child.
If readers have ever wondered what it would be like to go in search of a long-lost parent, or have ever counted on the kindness of strangers, there’s a good chance they’ll resonate with Carter’s journey. Over the weeks Carter spends on the road, he rediscovers his love for playing guitar, and makes peace with a past he never would have chosen for himself. He learns how to make music as a way of expressing his feelings, and he meets some unexpected characters who leave a lasting impression on him — and hopefully readers, too!
What inspired you to write this novel?
Great question, thank you for asking. When I wrote A SONG FOR THE ROAD, I had four significant sources of inspiration.
As I was writing the story of how Carter Danforth learned to play guitar, the setting surprised (as much as inspired) me. Most people are familiar with the writing advice encouraging storytellers to, “Write what you know.” A SONG FOR THE ROAD dared me to write what I wanted to better understand. Growing up, my father was fascinated by early 20th-Century history, and the books and music in his office explored the changing landscape of North America, from Henry Ford’s first Model T to the blight of the Depression-era dust bowl. He played old records by Southern outlaws and dancehall crooners, and passed to me his passion for stories and songs from early radio. I remember the feeling those songs, books and stories gave me, and I wanted to revisit my memories from a contemporary point of the view. I wrote about what I wanted to feel, not about what I knew.
Second, there are books and movies that also left a lasting impression on me, and a few old favorites came to mind as I breathed life into Carter’s story. The most significant was THE OUTSIDERS by SE Hinton, who is a Tulsa native like Carter; PAPER TOWNS by John Green because I appreciate his attention to the often unnoticed details of small towns; ABOUT A BOY by Nick Hornby because I love the way Hornby handles a motley cast of characters; and GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck, because that book blisters you like a barren dust bowl, leaving a mark long after you’ve finished reading.
Third, I am deeply fascinated by how music connects people. In every culture, region and era, music creates a bridge of understanding between people. It’s a language all humanity understands. Over his journey and coming of age, my protagonist Carter notices how music welcomes everyone, regardless of where they came from. He discovers how the experience of listening and playing music together has the power to turn strangers into friends.
Lastly, over the last fifteen years I’ve written primarily adult fiction, as well as non-fiction primarily in the areas of alternative health, family issues and wellbeing. However, four years ago I began teaching a creative writing workshop and summer camp for teens aged 12-18, and these young people have influenced my writing, worldview, and joy for the craft tremendously. This story was destined from the start to be Young Adult, because I am deeply influenced by the stellar young writers who I have the privilege of teaching.
Were there any particular parts of the novel that challenged you?
Readers may be surprised to learn that I don’t know how to play guitar. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to interview several bands and performers, as well as sound engineers, music teachers, and music therapists. I spend a lot of time researching the process of expressing oneself through art, literature and music, and am fascinated by historical instruments. I’ve come to believe writing about music is writing about emotion. Music gives expression to thoughts and feelings that are sometimes nearly impossible to communicate. I wanted to illustrate Carter’s internal struggle. Learning to play his guitar gives him the power to understand himself, make sense of where he’s been, and what he wants in the future. The experience of finding your authentic voice, even if its through the vibration of guitar strings, is life-affirming.
Is there anything you hope that readers will take away from novel?
Yes, absolutely. I hope readers reflect on what family means for them, and remember that no matter what, there are people in this world who love them, even if it doesn’t look that way. I hope readers feel deeply understood for loving whatever songs happen to speak to them. I hope readers take a moment to look more closely at the natural world around them; even the barest, driest desert produces blooms. There is a song in every heart waiting to be written, and I hope readers find theirs by the end of A SONG FOR THE ROAD.
What is your process when it comes to writing?
I’m a fan of Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat structure, and Donald Maass’s The Emotional Craft of Fiction. I believe one of the most important things is to figure why a character is behaving the way they are, and what matters to them. If I can figure out what a character wants, what’s standing in the way, and what they’ll do to achieve their goal, my heart becomes invested. The best stories are those that motivate readers to want what the character wants, and that means revealing the protagonist’s emotions on every page. My process is figuring out what matters and why it matters, then stopping at nothing until my protagonist achieves a satisfying happy-ever-after.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes, always! If you’re a writer, you must write. There are characters running through scenes in your mind who will not rest until they’re on the page—give them their voices. Your writing is your art. Trust it. Share it with writers you admire, and be willing to revise, revise, revise. There is always room to grow as a writer. Be entirely and unapologetically you.
What’s next for you?
I am very excited to announce my upcoming non-fiction self-help book coming out next year. Co-written with Lesley Holmes, DREAM UP NOW is a guided journal that gives teens the space to explore their emotions through creativity, discover inherent talents, build confidence, and make positive choices. We are also creating a DREAM UP NOW after-school program and an interactive app.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
Yes, I’d love to share some of my favorite YA novels:
The Smallest Thing by Lisa Manterfield
Looking for Bapu by Anjali Banerjee
Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly, by Conrad Wesselhoeft
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Learning to Fall by Anne Clermont
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
