Telesa: The Covenant Keeper Blog Tour: Guest Post

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Telesa: The Covenant Keeper blog tour and to have the opportunity to share this awesome guest post about music in the book.

You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime,                                                             

                                            Losing Yourself in the Music.

Daniel - the musician

Writing is my gift but I’ve always thought that if ever God gave me the chance to trade in my gift for another, then I would be sorely tempted to exchange words for music. To me, nothing else has the immediate power to move you, envelop you and transform you the way that music does. It really is a universal language and in today’s conflicted world, we need all the unifying that we can get.

The first boy I ever loved introduced me to the art of using song to convey emotion and meaning. I was 14 and (of course) not allowed to have a boyfriend and so the only time I ever got to see him – was at church. ( Can you tell I’m Samoan!) He would make these cassette mix tapes for me with different songs on them and give them to me on Sundays. I would listen to those tapes all during the week (blissfully) and that was how he told me every day, that he loved me. Through music. Even now, 20 years later I can hear one of those songs on the radio and instantly be reminded of the thrill, the color and wonder of first love. TELESA:The Covenant Keeper is primarily a love story and so I relied a lot on music to inspire me because as we  know -  music is the language of love 

Leila and Daniel

Not only that, but without music, I literally would not have been able to write this book.  I have 5 children and so finding a peaceful space to write can be a little tricky! My iPod was a lifesaver. The house could look like a telesa storm had swirled through it and the children could be squabbling, but once I put those earphones on and pressed PLAY? I was transported to a different world, one where a boy called Daniel writes his own music, plays the guitar and sings about love and heartbreak while a girl called Leila gracefully dances the Samoan siva.  

My fave TELESA writing music? Eminem. Which is a little odd I know, because Eminem is not known for being a romantic love song kinda rapper! But I love the poetry of his lyrics, so raw and powerful. And at times confrontational. Everyone has times when they doubt themselves and their dreams. Songs like ‘Im not Afraid’ and ‘Lose Yourself’ remind me that it takes courage and  strength to fuel our dreams. Especially when others try to drag us down with their negativity and doubt. Listening to Eminem’s battle songs inspire me to fight harder, aim higher, and to write with fierceness. And his song with Rihanna  ‘ I love the way you lie’ was my TELESA anthem for just one verse alone. 

Baby, please come back, it wasn't you, Baby, it was me.
Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems
Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a 
volcano
All I know is I love you too much to walk away now

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that's alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

Wow, very cool! I really love the story about the boy who would give her tapes at church. It's such a sweet gesture!

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