As many of you know, I am currently in the midst of writing the third draft of my novel. Getting through ACT 1 has been a struggle. Setting up the story takes a lot of planning, so I am writing at a slower pace. I am at a very emotional place in the novel right now for my female protagonist. The other day, I came across the song “Just a Fool” by Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton thanks to an amazing cover by Kelly Clarkson on her day time talk show. The song perfectly dramatizes the struggle my protagonist is going through right now in Act 1.

I am constantly astounded by how some songs seems tailor-made for my novel. My female protagonist puts her faith in someone who ultimately lets her down. She is someone who is desperate for love and validation and who wants nothing more than to please others and win their love in return. In Act 1, she is betrayed by someone very close to her and, if my novel was a musical, my protagonist would sing this song sitting alone at the bar. Christina Aguilera’s vocals are heartfelt and heart wrenching. Hearing this song helped to pull me out of my writing slump and revitalized my passion for this story.

This song came out in 2012 and I am amazed that I have never heard it before. I will definitely be adding this to my novel playlist. Please listen to “Just a Fool” below.