A Halloween Story
A “meet-cute” set in St. Louis, Missouri on Halloween 2019.
Noah Adam Tanner is a 23-year-old physician assistant student who is about a year away from finishing his training/education. When he is not in class or in the hospital, he likes to work out in the University’s rec center.
Amelia Marie Madden (Amy) is a 20-year-old nursing student who is in her junior year. Born in Chicago, she moved to St. Louis for school. When she is not in class or clinicals or being dragged to something by her roommate/best friend, she likes to work out in the University’s rec center to relieve stress.
Music helps set the mood while I write. That is why the inspiration playlists play such a vital role in my writing process. These are the songs that inspired the Halloween short story A Halloween Story:
(In addition to the inspiration playlist, I also listened to Taylor Swift’s reputation while I wrote.)
This Is Halloween - by Panic! At the Disco
The short story takes place on Halloween. So this song seemed like the perfect song to begin the playlist.
Ghostbusters - by Pentatonix
I used this version of the song because I wanted a more recent version. The characters in the short story are all college-age students.
Taking Chances - by Celine Dion
This is Amy Madden’s theme song. She gets stuck in an elevator, which would’ve been the perfect excuse to skip the party she didn’t want to go to. But in the end she went to the party.
Don’t Blame Me - by Taylor Swift
This is Leann Donovan’s theme song. She is Amy’s best friend who wants her to come to the party.
Irresistible - by Fall Out Boy
This is Noah Tanner’s theme song. He desperately wants to get to a Halloween party, but several events try to keep him from getting there.
Lucky Strike - by Maroon 5
I added this song to the playlist because of the title. Noah has the wrong kind of luck trying to get to the party.
Ghost - by American Authors
I needed a song or two with ghost in the title. This is one I found after looking for songs I hadn’t heard before.
Song For Santa - by Straight No Chaser
This is kind of Noah’s song, but not his theme song. He dresses up as Santa Claus for Halloween.
Deer in the Headlights - by Owl City
I chose this song to represent the moment when Noah shows up at the party and learns that his girlfriend is engaged to someone else.
Grim Grinning Ghosts - by VoicePlay
I chose this song for another song with ghost in the title.
Frosty the Snowman - by The Liberty Voices
So you’re probably wondering why there is another Christmas song on a Halloween inspiration playlist. Amy dresses up as a snowman for Halloween.
Stay A Little Longer, Santa - by Shemekia Copeland
Noah was ready to leave the party after he has been dumped. But Amy’s arrival convinces him to stay.
Love and Luck - by Jimmy Buffett
I added this song because in the end, luck was on Noah’s side. And Amy’s side. If they hadn’t been stuck in the elevator earlier in the day and then been delayed in arriving at the party, would they have found each other?
This Is Halloween - by VoicePlay
I decided to begin and end the playlist with the same song, but sung by different artists.