The Busker Project is a character-building initiative for my upcoming novel. Below, I've shared more details about this project, what it means to me, and why I created it.
"You see, when you read a book that captivates you, it's not the basic details of a character that draw you in. It's the little details about them, what's underneath, that make them endearing and unforgettable. That is what The Busker Project aims to do with this novel."
What is The Busker Project?
The Busker Project is a character development initiative designed to gather the deepest nuances surrounding the drastic changes a musician endures on the journey from a busker to a signed artist.
It also explores how those changes affect their interpersonal relationships, the people around them, and their own expectations of what success means, even when it comes with a decrease in artistic license and freedom to do what brings them joy.
The Busker Project is an integral part of the novel-writing process for the book I'm currently working on, which is based on a fictional musician. The exact details of the book are only shared with selected participants.
Why I Started the Busker Project
I've written many books in my lifetime, often for others as a ghostwriter. One thing that remains constant is that character development is essential to a good plotline. Authors often use a method called "shadowing" in which they follow a subject around and simply study them, their actions, personality, and overall manner of being. And they do this to get a better understanding of the person as a basis for building a character in a story.
When shadowing is not an option, sessions like the ones used in The Busker Project are an alternative. These sessions are 1:1 candid conversations, Q&As, and sometimes, a series of writings by the subject.
I do this with almost every important character I build. I compile and analyze that data and use it to bring life into a character in a realistic and relatable way. In the end, what is really exchanged is an intimate understanding of another human being in order to create a fictional likeness.
I believe that we all walk along different paths, even if we're trying to get to the same place. Those differences in paths, and how we traverse them, are what make us unique and worth getting to know. You see, when you read a book that captivates you, it's not the basic details of a character that draw you in. It's the little details about them, what's underneath, that make them endearing and unforgettable. That is what The Busker Project aims to do with this novel.
When I am studying a human counterpart, I also look at how the subject's body reacts to the work they are doing. But most of all, I am most rewarded by how they speak and what they say between questions, when the wall begins to break down and the real person slowly emerges. That is where most of the inspiration is birthed.
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How the Busker Project Works
The Busker Project consists of several communication sessions which include candid conversation and direct Q&A. These sessions are used to assist in building a character that is relatable and realistic in an unreleased work of literature. For these sessions, I often employ a mix of vocal communication and writings from the subject to get to know them better.
- Information about the work in progress will only be shared with individuals selected to participate in this project.
- While the character being researched will not be directly based on your life experiences, the answers you provide will aid in the character-building process.
- Your answers will be confidential if you so choose. It is a judgment-free, mutually open, and honest communicative process.
Who Can Participate in The Busker Project
As the book currently in writing is based around a fictional musician, I'm looking for musicians who began their careers as buskers and who have found some form of success outside of this.
I'm interested in hearing from musicians who either play the guitar, piano, drums, vocals, or a combination of these. Individuals who match these criteria are the closest to resembling the character currently being developed.
I've invited musicians who most closely resemble my character's journey to participate directly, however, the invitation is open to musicians who meet these criteria. If you're interested in participating, fill out this form.
How The Busker Project Helps Me as an Author
Building a relatable, realistic, and endearing character is a process that begins with understanding what the life of that character would be like if they were human. This includes how they:
- Respond to challenges
- React to both good and bad situations
- Manage their artistic freedom
- Interact with peers and supporters
- Speak, write, and express themselves
- Prepare for exposure
- Handle pressure
- Communicate with others
- Wind down...
Frequently Asked Questions
Of all character types, why are you writing about a busker?
The exact details of the story are only shared with participants. However, I think it needs to be said that Buskers often experience the best and worst in humanity throughout their careers. They are a testament to personal perseverance and determination, and they add a melody to the poetry in our lives. This makes them especially able to recognize positive and negative changes within and hold themselves accountable for staying true to themselves. These are all nuances I'm exploring in this novel.
Are my answers confidential?
As a general rule, participant replies and answers in our sessions are confidential. If the participant requests for their answers to be shared, it can be done either anonymously, using a pseudonym, or using their stage name for exposure. All participants are asked in advance about their preferences.
Do you share answers and/or names?
I only share snippets of answers provided when and where the participant either requests for me to do so or expressly indicates that they would not object to snippets of their answers being shared.
As a general rule, when I share any answers as per the participant's wishes, names and identifiers are omitted unless the participant expressly wishes to share their name for exposure or another reason.
Where do you share responses?
I only share snippets of answers provided when and where the participant either requests for me to do so or expressly indicates that they would not object to snippets of their answers being shared. These answers may be shared anonymously via my social media channels as stories, posts, or reels.
When participants request for none of their answers or content to be shared, I honor this. You will be asked for consent prior to any content being shared.
If I choose to share some of my answers, can my name be anonymous?
If the participant requests for their answers to be shared, it can be done either anonymously, using a pseudonym, or using their stage name for exposure. All participants are asked in advance about their preferences.
Will the book be based on my answers?
While the character being researched will not be directly based on your life experiences, the answers you provide will aid in the character-building process.
What kind of questions will you ask?
There are no set criteria for questions. I may ask about childhood memories, yesterday's lunch, or today's mood. And you can decline to answer questions along the way. Depending on the question, the answer to the question itself may not be what I'm analyzing, but how you choose to answer it.
Some questions I've asked include:
- What is the best and worst feeling about finally finding success?
- Do you feel fulfilled?
- What was the most grueling part about your first tour?
- If you could be doing anything instead of your next scheduled publicity event, what would it be?
- What do you religiously do before a show?
- What is the hardest technical aspect of busking?
- Is there a face you always remember from the crowd when busking?
- How do you feel now, how did you feel yesterday, and how do you hope to feel tomorrow?
- Do you like to read? If so, when do you set aside time to read?
- When was the last time you said thank you? When was the last time someone said thank you to you? In other words, when was something last done for you vs when you last did for others?
- What is the very first artistic activity you remember doing?
Q&As are only half the process. Most of the work happens when the subject voluntarily shares, when we speak freely about randomness.
Can I ask you questions?
Yes. The sessions, project, and experience is a two-way street and should be viewed as mutual conversations rather than interview-style sit-downs.
You mentioned analyzing, will you be judging me?
Heaven's no. There is a difference between analyzing and judging. Analysis is used to understand data, not determine if the data is right, wrong, weird, or cool.
I personally try not to judge anyone, and I think everyone has things about themselves they'd rather not share for fear of judgment. I try to be the person anyone can share anything with. It's how I build my personal relationships and how I think the world ought to be.
Are the sessions in person, over email, text, or phone?
I use a mix of session styles. Most of the sessions will be vocal, meaning we would be talking either on a phone or via some verbal tool. I will also send questions or prompts and ask for written responses to those questions. Often, the subject and I email and text between sessions and build a platform of trust and friendship.
More about The Busker Project
The Busker Project is further broken down into several parts, including Instagram activity, form submissions, and records of shared TBP sessions.
Instagram Stories and Highlights
Check out the most recent Instagram highlights from The Busker Project.
The Busker Project Sessions (TBP Sessions)
TBP Sessions lists individual The Busker Project Sessions, where musicians provide insights for The Busker Project, a character development initiative for an upcoming novel. Here you'll find a rolling list of all published session transcripts and prose-styled session records. Click the link for all TBP Sessions records.
Any shared sessions are done so with the express permission of the subject and are shared either anonymously or via pseudonym unless the subject strictly states they prefer for their own name to be used.
The Busker Project Participation
If you would like to participate in The Busker Project, please visit The Busker Project page to fill out the direct form. If you were invited to participate, you may email the address provided to you. You may also fill out the form.
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