I’m so happy to have Jennifer Estep back for a third time to Smexy! Today she is talking about her current release, Venom and music and writing. Take it away Jennifer.
Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Mandi for having me on the blog today. Thanks, Mandi!
Some of you might know me as the author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.
The first two books in the series are Spider’s Bite and Web of Lies. Venom, the third book, is coming out on Sept. 28. Tangled Threads, the fourth book, will be published in May 2011, while the fifth book (untitled) will be released in October 2011.
I’ve also sold a young adult urban fantasy series called Mythos Academy. The first book is called Touch of Frost and will be out in August 2011. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen finds herself shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendents of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, and more.
So Mandi asked me to talk a little bit about music today, since we both love The Killers – seriously, seriously love them. Right, Mandi? ;-)
I know a lot of authors listen to music when they write, but I don’t. In fact, I prefer dead freaking silence, as I like to call it, when I’m working on a new book, especially the first draft. So why don’t I listen to music? Well, the quiet just works for me. Usually, I’m concentrating so hard on my writing that everything else just fades away. After a while, I don’t even really hear the music anymore. So I don’t think there’s much use to put it on in the first place.
Don’t get me wrong. I love music (although not as much as I love books). Some of my favorite bands include the aforementioned Killers, The Pretenders, Green Day, and Kelly Clarkson. I’m a huge Jimmy Buffett fan, and I love oldies music, especially by quirky bands like Paul Revere and the Raiders or the Royal Guardsmen (who did a bunch of Snoopy songs). Yeah, I have pretty eclectic (aka weird) tastes when it comes to music. LOL.
My significant other and I actually have a music game that we play. Anytime, we’re out at a restaurant, he’ll ask me who is singing whatever song is playing in the background, and I will hazard a guess. He always knows who sings what. Sadly, I do not. I can’t tell you the number of times he’s looked at me and said “How can you not know that blah-blah sings so-and-so?”
Quite easily, apparently.
But I do occasionally think about music while I’m writing a book. In my Elemental Assassin books, there’s usually a scene or two at my fictional nightclub, Northern Aggression, and I’ve mentioned that the sound system is blaring out a song by a band that I like. I’ve also dropped in other musical references like that in my books. And I even wrote an unpublished book where the heroine loved to sing karaoke and the hero was a John Denver fan. Yes, I admit it, I like John Denver. (I told you I had weird taste in music.)
I also associate certain songs with my characters and those written by other authors. For example, I think that the song Human by The Pretenders is a perfect fit for Gin’s character. The lines go something like this: “See I bleed and I bruise/Oh, but what’s it to you/I’m only human on the inside.” Another Pretenders’ song, Night in My Veins, makes me think about the character Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress Books. One of the lines goes something like this: “I find myself in the bones of his face.”
So there you have it. A little bit about my musical quirks and oddities. Frightening, isn’t it? ;-)
What about you guys? What music do you dig? Do books or characters ever make you think of certain songs?
Thanks Jennifer!! I let out a little squee when I read The Killers are mentioned in Venom ;)
Jennifer Estep is giving away one copy of Venom today! To enter, just answer her question above. Open to US/Canada only. Please leave your email if it is not in your profile. Contest open through Thursday October 2nd.
To be honest, I still like the big hair bands. I really don't listen to much current music, except on the Christian station.
Can't wait to read Venom.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
I like all, but Jazz. I guess alternative rock is my favorite. Whenever I hear Monster by Skillet I think of Barrons from the Fever series ;)
Looking forward to trying your series.
I love listening to music but can never remember who performed what. Admittedly, I haven't associated specific songs to books I have read. I suppose that is one of the reasons I am so curious about authors who do depend on a playlist that they draw from for inspiration when they are writing specific scenes or a book.
I love all kinds of music. Classical, Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, country. I also like Soundtrack music. If I watch a movie and I find that the song appeals to me, I'll download it. One of my favs is the title song from DragonHeart. I tear up just a little bit whenever I hear it. lol
There is just one song that reminds me of book characters and that song is Who's Gonna Drive You Home by The Cars. It reminds me of Chess and Terrible whenever I hear it. :D
Music is also a great way to relieve stress as well. I'm also into music as much as I am into books too. I love everything from Hip hop, to rock, and even a little bit of country. I also just recently got into some dance as well. Some of my favorites include: Kesha, Alicia Keys, Breaking Benjamin, and Carrie Underwood. I haven't really thought of songs that remind me of characters from books though.
Venom sounds like an awesome read.
fchien16@gmail.com
Thanks for your consideration for the giveaway,
~Felicia:)
I love country music. I do not really relate music to characters or books though.
Hi, everyone! I just wanted to chime in and say thanks again to Mandi for having me on the blog.
Some interesting music likes and dislikes here. I think music is one thing that's even more subjective than books when it comes to what people do and don't like.
BTW, Mandi — I finally got the new Brandon Flowers CD. Pretty good so far, although his lyrics never make much sense to me. LOL.
It all depends on my mood. I've been an 80's freak lately, but I enjoy almost all kinds of music with the exception of jazz and country. Can't stand either one of them. I listen to music while I work to blare out background noise, but when I'm reading I prefer there to be silence. I can read through anything (Hello, two kids here), but I don't really relate my books or any of the characters to music.
Currently I am into indie rock. Characters don't really amke me think of a song but I do listen to music while I read. Some people find it weird.
Cassandra C
cassandra dot crouser at yahoo dot ca
I really enjoyed Spider's Bite and can't wait to read the rest of the series. I listen to alternative rock, hard rock, reggae and some pop stuff occasionally. I can't say that I've ever really associated music to a character, unless music was mentioned in the story.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
I love Bon Jovi and The Beatles. I like John Denver too. In fact hubby was playing Rocky Mt. High on the way home from dinner Sat. night :).
To be honest I never think of music while I read. I have a strange brain that only concentrates on one thing at a time. I cannot wait to get into this series.
Thanks for the contest!
Team Owen all the way! :)
Congrats on everything Jennifer.
I finally got around to starting this series and I really really love them.
Thanks Jennifer and Mandi!
Victoria — I think You Give Love a Bad Name is one of the best rock songs ever. I love that one.
KB — Thanks! Glad you are digging Owen. ;-)
Bon Jovi Shot through the heart gives me the mental image of Sabina Kane by Jaye Wells.
My favorite music is country.
I never think of music when I read.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I don't usually think of music whilst reading. I get quite distracted even when the tv or radio are on.
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
I like listening to music that is loud and distracting. Sometimes while reading I do think of music but mostly I am just enjoying the story.
bbricke At yahoo Dot com
I don't usually think of music while I'm reading.
chey127 at hotmail dot com
I am a die hard fan of 80's rock. My music does not remind me of characters though. Probably because I like to read in complete silence.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Hi, everyone! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment.
There are a few particular bands that I like, but really, I'm a song-by-song kind of girl. If it's got a cool beat or catchy lyrics, then I'll listen to it, no matter what musical genre it's in.
Yep like you I am all over the map with my musical tastes. love country, oldies, classic rock, rap, and those old snoopy songs are favorite of mine too. lol.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
I'm a metal head! :) I love it when writers mention bands in their books. I emailed Mandi when I saw you mentioned The Killers. :)
I listen to everything depending on my mood. I have a ton of old cd's labeled that way.. lol
I have a horrible famous face/movie/music memory. Unless the song is on I can never remember more than a few lyrics at a time. So, no musical characters for me.
And I LOVED your books! I read them back to back and am tired of waiting for the next one!! :D
sarahalizabeth14(at)yahoo(dot)com
i like pop, country, rock, r&b…pretty much anything that sounds good :)
Every time i hear the song 'The hands that feeds' by Nine Inch Nails i think of Chloe Neill's chicagoland vampires haha.
littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
Music has always been my friend and it usually reflects my emotions. On a bad day I am usually listening to Metalica, on a good day I might hit Micheal Buble, another day I might hit the Beach Boys and CCR. I don't usually associate songs with characters unless I have watched the movie first. Movie soundtracks go with me when I go to read the book. I just heard about you and am going to start with Spider's Bite and then move on with the rest of the series.
I was listening to Brandon Flowers tonight – shocker I know – and these lyrics from Right Behind You made me think of Gin! :)
We've all got reservations
Trials will come suddenly
And without explanation
But you were born with goodness
You were born with goodness
Wherever you go now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you on that dusty road
When no one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Ok..so it really just has to do with "touching stone" LOL..but from now on that will be my Gin song :)
thanks for the post. I first want to mention that I really want to read this series – I've heard so many great things! *adding first 2 books to my wish list* Anyhow, for music – unfortunately, my tastes right now tend to run with my kids' tastes – our latest enjoyment? Songs from the TV show: Phineas and Ferb! (It's pretty entertaining!)
Am just about to start reading these for upcoming book reviews. Sounds great and I'm more motivated than ever.
I don't usually listen to anything when I read and I don't think about songs when I read. My husband and I play the same game you do, "Name that band" and yes, he always knows who it is and I never do. I definitely know what I like though – usually alternative, sometimes folk rock, sometimes worldbeat, no jazz, no pop.
jen at delux dot com
I don't listen to music when I read, but when I do listen to music it is usually either Country or Rock.
lynnflagler(at)yahoo(dot)com
I don't lissen to Music Much but when I do I'm still stuck in the 80's Easy rock from when I was a Teen
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
Fiction Vixen — That's cool that you emailed Mandi about that. ;-)
Sarah — Cool. I hope you like VENOM even more.
Mandi — So Brandon made you think of Gin? Excellent. ;-)
Although maybe Gin's song should be Under the Gun — that's the one that goes "Kill me now, kill me now, kill me now," right? LOL.
What is up with his lyrics, though? They make sense for a while, then he throws something like that last line in there.
Jen — It is freaky about much my significant other knows about music. I know more about football, though, so it all evens out. LOL.
Can't wait to get my hands on Venom. Love love love the Elemental Assasin Series. Thanks Smexy for the strong recommendation for this series, it's what tipped my hand towards it.
I enjoy music, but don't really listen to radio or music that much anymore since my waking moments are usually filled with the Disney Channel for my kids or me working, and I can't have music on while I work (I work in a call center.) I'm never good at placing music with characters, but once others point it out I'm always like "yeah! That totally fits!"
akbabcock at gmail dot com
I'm eclectic taste in music, too :)
I love listening to and finding new music to enjoy :)
I don't think I've ever had a book or character make me think of a certaing song, hm.
Congrats on the book release!!
Allison — Cool. I hope you enjoy it. ;-)
My music tastes go all over the place, it really depends on the song. Books and characters don't usually remind me of songs but I love author playlists and the songs they listen to while writing their books. It is interesting to see what songs inspired them in their writing.
spettolij AT gmail DOT com
I love just about all music except Country and Hard Rock. If it twangs or gives me a head ache it's not for me.
Stephanie G
sgradel(at)gmail(dot)com
Paranormal Haven
hi jennifer! :) i like all kinds of stuff – metal, alternative, oldies, new wave, classic rock, disco, bluegrass, gothic – and then i'll listen to stuff out of left field. classic example: i found a disney radio channel that plays the music from the parks, and i've been listening to quite a bit of it! i'm a kid at heart, what can i say?
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
Usually depends on my mood…I love Angels and Airwaves (sigh), but sometimes I like to throw in a little Maduro (yep, crazy bellydance creepy gothy) if I have some Bones or other vampiness going on…
(I also love it when my husband cleans. And brags about it. Now, if only he did it well and more often!) I'm jealous *g
I like country music, as well as pop and rock. Occasionally events in a book will make me think of a certain song.
a(dot)long(at)tcu(dot)edu
I usually listen to country music but every once in a while I will listen to some rock from the 80's and 90's. Sometimes when I'm reading a book a song will pop into my mind.
sstrode@scrtc.com
I prefer to listen to rock music, but only when I drive. Otherwise I'm not into a lot of music. I don't hear songs when I read a book, but it's interesting how good the tv show people pair music with the shows.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I love about all music…maybe with the exception of some country & rap. I don't think a chracter has ever made me think of a song. For some reason, I just don't tie the to together. My favorite band is a band from my hometown in Pittsburgh that brings back lots of fun memories.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I adore music. When I'm by myself I listen to country, but other times I listen to anything. My favorite radio station plays everything (at least that's what they keep telling me).
Most of the time I don't relate music to anything I read, as music is always in the background to everything. Even if its playing in my head while I read its in the background of my thoughts so I don't focus on it.
jlynettes at hotmail dot com