Hi, everyone, I’m Cassi Carver! Thank you for visiting me at Smexy Books today! I’m really excited about the release of Shadow Rising, the second book in my spicy urban fantasy series with Samhain Publishing, and I thought I would talk a little about music and how it can affect writing a book.
Last year was the first year I’d really heard about authors coming up with playlists for books and series. Sure, I’d listened to music while I was writing before, but could it be possible that if I made a playlist, I could evoke the same mood quickly when I sat down at the computer, without having to go back a dozen pages to get the feel of the scene?
As an experiment, I compiled some songs that I thought could keep me in the mood for the novel—about twenty of them. (Lucky for me, I can handle listening to the same songs over and over and not yank my hair out!) Before that point, I was mostly using white noise, “The Sounds of Summer Rain,” to go into that other world in my mind where the story plays out.
When I first started writing to music as an exercise, it was actually a little hard to focus. Eventually, my long playlist melted into the background and I didn’t think about it as much, but then a strange thing happened. When I would pick up my book again after a couple days off, my mind craved the music that it associated with that world. More than any other element, the tone of the music set the mood for the scenes.
My mix was odd to say the least, everything from bluegrass to current hits, but there was a certain melancholy feel to the songs that put me in that angsty place where I could get into the characters’ heads and let them work through their conflicts.
Shadow Rising is the second book in the series, but book 2.5, a stand-alone novella featuring Abbey and Jaxon’s story, comes out December 11th. Right now I’m working on book 3.0, the third full-length Shadow Slayers novel, and I have a confession to make…I still use the same playlist to take me back into that world!
I think the cool thing about playlists—if that’s something you want to try in some area of your life, whether it’s for exercise, art, or just getting through the day—is that the songs don’t have to be music anybody else would choose. It’s all about what resonates with you and what will evoke the mood you’re trying for. For me, it worked like a charm!
So I’m going to go out on a limb here and show you some of the songs that helped me create Shadow Rising, and maybe when you’re reading the books, you will catch a glimpse of the music behind them!
If you want a chance to win an e-copy of both book one, Slayer’s Kiss, and book two, Shadow Rising, tell us in the comments section the name of a song that spoke to you this week!
Dierks Bentley – "Up On The Ridge"
Enanitos Verdes – “Luz de Dia”
Linda Ronstadt – “Blue Bayou”
Contest open to everyone through September 29.
There are two songs that strike the right chord with me, both to read and to write my stories. Oddly enough, they are on two opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is Cole Porter’s “What is this thing called love?” as performed by Lamar (from the soundtrack to “Delovely”), and the second is “Lips of an Angel” from Hinder. I absolutely love Lamar’s voice singing this song, and with Hinder, I love hearing that rough, gravely voice singing such a tender love song. Doesn’t that type of guy often show up in these novels?
Hi, Amy! Those sound like great songs!! I’m going to look them up. Thanks for stopping by!
I hate to admit it, but I’ve been playing around with words on paper. Who knows if I’ll ever fess up to writing novellas or books again, but it’s really nice to hear I’m not the only one who started writing to white noise first and later to “real” music. Do you add music to your list or stick to what works?(No need to enter me in the giveaway as I’ve already read both books.)
Hi, Stacy!! Thanks for coming by and saying hi! I didn’t know you dabbled in writing! Cool!! I add sometimes, but mostly I delete when a song I’m using consistently disrupts the mood. :) Talk to you soon!
Hi
I love to listen to music and enjoy finding new (to me) artist just as much as I enjoy finding new (to me) authors. So this week I have heard the band Fun’s new song (Some Nights) several times and have fallen in love with it.
Thanks for the chance
Pam
That’s great, Pam!! I’m going to go through the list and look up the suggestions on Youtube! Thanks for commenting and good luck on the contest!
The song that I keep hitting repeat on these days is “Disappearing World” by David Gray and “Epoca” by Gotan Project.
Cool, Cathy! These are all new-to-me artists and I can’t wait to hear them!! Thanks for stopping by!
Carly Rae Jepson’s Call Me Maybe has been my song this week!
Hi, Jodie! That’s a super fun song. You must be in a fun mood this week! LOL Thank you for commenting and good luck! :D
Anything and everything by PitBull… I guess I’ve been in a partying kind of mood this week:)
yadkny@hotmail.com
Over by Blake Shelton. I like country, but I had no idea Blake sang this.
I love listening to music, I love finding new songs that speak to me too :) Right now, I’m really liking The Script’s new song release, Hall of Fame. I pretty much have a new song favorite every week or so…. last week, I was hooked on an older song: Dig by Incubus.. my song tastes are kind of all over the map… Thanks for the post, and the contest! Book Savvy Babe
I liked all three songs however…Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt is one of my favorite songs. I never heard of the other two groups but enjoyed thier music also. The song that has been playing in my head all week has been “Sweet Dreams” by Annie Lenox…I was feeling pretty good and the song embodied that feeling. Whether I win the books or not, I am looking forward to reading them. Thank you Cassi~
Thanks for a great post and congrats to Cassi on the newest release! I’d say… I only listen to the radio when I’m driving and by the time a song catches my interest I miss who it is. But there’s this sound where the guy is whistling and it’s so catchy :)
I have been a Maroon 5 fan for years so I am digging their new song One More Night. It doesn’t really speak to my situation but I still like the song. Another song I really like right now is We’ll Be Alright by Travie McCoy. It just makes you feel good when you hear it!
Thanks so much!
Wake Me Up by Rascal Flatts
Thanks for the nice guestpost. I am not really listening to music, it is a background for me. But I love this song by Richard Marx – Right here waiting for you. I know it is old, but I love his voice.
Rolling in the deep by Adele
This excellent website certainly has all the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
I am not sure where you are getting your info,
but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.