Music has always been a big part of my writing. It’s what inspires and motivates me, often giving me ideas for stories and characters. I’ve always been a big Smiths/Morrissey fan and am particularly obsessed with the song, “Paint a Vulgar Picture.” No matter how many times, I listen to it, I’m always struck by the sadness of it. Of an unrequited, tortured love between a world famous pop star and a lovelorn suburban teenager.

After listening to “Paint a Vulgar Picture” for the six hundredth time, it finally struck me that it would make a great story. And from there, the idea for XOXO Hayden began. I began writing it in a writer’s group made up of close friends in 2004 and workshopped it a UCLA extension class. Once a week I met with my friend Jenna Milly, (who helped me immensely) to trade pages- she was working on her own novel.

And so now, here it is. It’s been a fun exciting process and I’m happy to be here at this point. Thank you to all of my writer and non-writer friends, who have given me their feedback, suggestions and support.

And for your listening (err.reading) pleasure, an excerpt from “Paint A Vulgar Picture.” If you haven’t heard it, you should listen to it. And if you haven’t bought my book, you should do that too.

Excerpt from Paint a Vulgar Picture by the Smiths.

I walked a pace behind you at the sound check
You’re just the same as I am
What makes most people feel happy
Leads us headlong into harm

So, in my bedroom in those ugly new houses
I danced my legs down to the knees
But me and my true love
Will never meet again …

At the record company meeting
On their hands – at last ! – a dead star !
But they can never taint you in my eyes
No, they can never touch you now

No, they cannot hurt you, my darling
They cannot touch you now
But me and my true love
Will never meet again