Hey all! I’m starting a new blog feature to showcase some fantastic bands and authors. After all, creativity is a process, and I know mine is stimulated by the right melody.
So today I’m discussing one of my latest releases, Soul Solution, a Beyond Fairytales dark romance from Decadent Publishing. Music was a huge factor in the creation of this story, and I have to say the playlist was an integral part of writing it. I had points where I listened to the same couple songs on repeat just to get the scene in my head and place myself there.
So what songs did I listen to?
The Funeral by Band of Horses
I discovered this song from How I Met Your Mother, which featured fantastic music. So when it came to Soul Solution, this song was the repeat one–this was the fragile grasp of their relationship that could flicker out in a heartbeat. I could feel the longing tangible between them when I listened to this song, and it made writing their story effortless.
I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie
I liked this song for the scene where Mina and Erik are walking through the forest to discover the lake at night. It’s soft and sweet, with the tinge of sadness that accompanies their relationship from the start. The correlation to the dark works well, because Mina’s nervous about the inky blackness, while for Erik, darkness is a familiar friend.
Pretty Girl by Sugarcult
Weirdly enough, I listened to this song a lot while editing, not during creation mode. However, the dark slickness of the melody worked so well for the overarching theme of the book, and there’s a seductiveness to this song that helped when I added in the sexier scenes.
Stupid Thing by Nickel
This is one of those songs that came from the Bronze. What’s the Bronze you ask? No Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan needs to ask. It’s got that 90s alt grunge feel to it, but I liked the darkness to the tone. Don’t know if you noticed a theme with these songs at all…
Waiting for an Invitation by Benji Hughes
And another How I Met Your Mother song! This isn’t deep dark and brooding, but it has a healthy level of regret and sadness to make it perfect for the backdrop while I was writing Soul Solution. The slow amble of it was a good counterpoint to the urgency and fleeting nature of Mina and Erik’s relationship, because for those moments they had together had the sort of peace in this song, tinged with the same sort of sadness.
For Erik Anderson, the Copenhagen line is his curse. He takes the train every night en route to collect souls. Like any lovelorn fool, he bargained his own long ago, and now pays the price—a lifetime of loneliness as a grim reaper. Stay distant—that’s been his mantra and what keeps him sane.
Until Mina Castner drops into his life like a whirlwind, one spilled drink leading to staying up until dawn with the woman. He believed one night couldn’t hurt, but he sorely underestimated her determination. Every encounter between them is a reprieve from the guilt of reaping souls every night, but it can’t last. Even if she sparks long buried feelings, and even if her sheer presence intoxicates him, he can’t let this continue. For humans, his touch is poison, and if he slips up, it could cost her life.
As for new projects on the horizon, I’m happy to say near the end of the year you’ll have an urban fantasy in the mix from me, as Hunting for Spring is slated to be published by Loose Id! It’s got an adorable hero–Conor is sweet, yet tough, a weird juxtaposition. The loner who fights monsters, but saves puppies too. And Brenna’s a good counterpoint to him, another loner, but she’s the bristly ice queen with a soft spot she hides well.
