Playlists: One of the things I do when I'm in the beginning stages of
writing a book is put together a playlist of music to listen to while I
write. I let my main character "choose" the music.

Abby chose the songs for FANCY WHITE TRASH. Although as I got to know
everyone in the book better, I think Abby's musical tastes, like her fashion
sense, was heavily influenced by Cody.

Here's Abby's playlist:

by Fergie
Finally
Losing My Ground
London Bridge

I'll Try by Jesse McCartney

by Nickelback
If Everyone Cared
Savin' Me

by Panic! At the Disco
But It's Better If You Do
I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Ain't No Other Man by Christina Aguilera

Realize by Colbie Caillat

Powerless by Nelly Furtado

How to Save a Life by The Fray

Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne

Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick

I listened to this playlist whenever I worked on FANCY WHITE TRASH. The
songs instantly transported me into Abby's world. Music helps me
concentrate, makes it easier for me write, and influences the flow of my
writing. There's a rhythm to language that I try to capture when I write
and music somehow helps me access that.

Did I get sick of these songs? Nope, although I did shuffle a lot. I'm the
kind of person who wants to eat for dinner whatever I had for lunch, so the
more I heard these songs, the more I loved them. Now, I can't hear FINALLY
without picturing Cody at the Homecoming dance.

A NOTE ABOUT RUMI

In FANCY WHITE TRASH, Abby loves the poet Rumi. She lends her copy of his
work to Jackson and Jackson uses some of her favorite quotes in notes to
her.

Mowlana Jalal-ad-Din Muhammad Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet,
humanist, philosopher, and theologian. My husband gave me a translation of
his work a few years ago and I was blown away by the beauty of the language.
I don't pretend to completely understand it, but I love to read and reread
certain passages.

The book Abby owns is THE ESSENTIAL RUMI, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne. (What a coincidence! That's the same copy I have.)
The passages Jackson uses in his notes are found on pages 244 (3rd stanza) and 208 (2nd stanza).

”A World, where there's one child who suffers less, is already a better
world.“ - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Jackson's experiences in Nicaragua are based on a talk I heard given by Fr.
Josef of the Rainbow Foundation. Fr. Josef and the Rainbow Foundation work
with the street children in La Paz, Bolivia, an estimated population of
30,000 children in need. I encourage you to check out their website at:
http://fundacion-arco-iris.org/ and to become part of the Arco Iris family.