Hi Igniteers! It’s ST and Jessica here. We wanted to share
some of the songs we’re writing to this summer, and ask you to share yours
right back with us. Here are a few we're loving (along with the links to listen). Let's ignite that writing inspiration!
ST:
Cruise by Florida Georgia Line (link)
Play it when you’re writing: The chill scenes
This song just makes me feel
good. Between the southern twang and the relaxed summer vibe, it totally puts
me in a kick-back place. I mean, really -- “Baby you a song, you make me wanna
roll my windows down and cruise.” If that’s not a great song to write your chill
scenes to, I don’t know what is.
Jessica:
Safe and Sound by Capital Cities (link)
Play it when you’re writing: The upbeat, memorable scenes
The moment this song starts, I’m moving in my chair. It’s
the perfect soundtrack to a scene where something’s just been resolved and things are going great. “I could lift you up... Even if the sky is falling
down I know that we’ll be safe and sound... I could fill your cup... You know
my river won’t evaporate, this world we still appreciate...” After a pretty
intense scene, this song is the perfect background for a writing montage of
Rowan and Dahlia (from the forthcoming, If I Speak True) doing things together
in Ambrosia. They’re
riding Ebon on Bluffs Beach, holding hands in the gardenia grove, hiding from
each other in the garden at Lennox castle. It’s a “we’ve just conquered the world” kind of song, where the music lifts you up and the
words just flow away!
ST:
Jessica:ST:
Gone Gone Gone by Phillip Phillips (link)
Play it when you’re writing: The romantic scenes
This song is so sweetly romantic, it makes me want to those
throes-of-new-love scenes. It’s got a driving beat, which keeps it from getting
too sappy, but there’s something angsty about it too. Maybe it’s that last
verse -- “You’re my backbone, you’re my
cornerstone, you’re my crutch when my legs stop moving. You’re my head start,
you’re my rugged heart, you’re the pulse that I’ve always needed.” It
screams complete and total commitment to the point of obsession -- perfect for
that intense first-major-love feeling we love to write about in our YA and NA
books, no?
Jessica:
I Know the Truth by Pretty Lights (link)
Play it when you’re writing: Angsty, emotional and/or fight
scenes
This. Song. Whew! First of all, you must play this song in a
mode in which you can fully appreciate the bass, because it is amazing. Second,
be prepared to drive everyone you know insane, because you will play this over
and over again. But that’s a good thing. Because the music itself paints
pictures in your brain. It’ll yank ideas from out of nowhere, plant them in
your head so out of the blue, you’ll be like, Wow! I have a scene I never
would have thought of for the companion novel of Pity Isn’t An Option, where
Jonas and a new character, Logan, stand up to some... people. And it all came straight from
this song.
ST:
My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) by Fallout Boy (link)
Play it when you’re writing: The action scenes
Remember when Stephenie Meyer said she wrote Twilight to the
music of Muse? And every writer ever nodded their head and said, “yep”? Because
Muse is the absolute, hands down, perfect music to listen to when you’re writing
your fights? (Or anything really, I just heart Muse so hard.) Well I think the
new Fallout Boy song is Muse-worthy. It’s intense, fast paced, and kind of
addictive. Last week I listened to it on loop re-writing an action sequence for
Endre, and after an hour I still
loved it. It’s that good.
Girl Is On My Mind by The Black Keys (link)
Play it when you’re writing: Anything.
The guitar, vocals and percussion for Girl Is On My Mind
(technically an oldie, as it’s from a 2004 album), make this song perfect for
writing anything. I personally use it any time Dahlia’s best friend, Ben, is
with her, as the words basically state what his subconscious is saying all the
time: “Try to ignore it, I try to unwind, but girl is on my mind.” Le sigh. But
the rocker-ish, bluesy-ness of it is perfect for any kind of writing. Check it out. You'll see.
ST:
Demons by Imagine Dragons (link)
Play it when you’re writing: The action scenes
This is my total favorite song in the whole wide world right
now. It’s my go-to song when I’m writing my tortured Asgardian Assassin, Ull,
and I think it’s just perfect for any character that feels conflicted. “Your eyes they shine so bright, I want to
save their light. I can’t escape this now unless you show me how.” It’s all
about struggling against the darkness within, and fighting to protect the
person you love. Plus it’s just a really, really awesome song -- another one
can I loop for hours on end.
Jessica:
King and Lionheart by Of Monsters and Men (link)
Play it when you’re writing: Steadfast characters in
difficult situations
“Howling ghosts, they reappear in mountains that are stacked
with fear; but you’re a king and I’m a lionheart.” I love this song. The lyrics
are the perfect reminder when problems arise that characters can stick
together; stand up for each other. As the lyrics say, they “won’t run”; they’re
“here to stay”. It’s about having that strength inside, seeing it in each
other, and using it. For me, this song works for a few different WIPs. It’s
empowering. Stand up together and face those ghosts because you’re a king and
I’m a lionheart. Rawr!
And there you have it: eight songs we're enjoying at the moment! What about you? What are some of your favorite songs to
write to this summer?
Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.
You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, on her blog, or send an e-mail to stbende(at)gmail(dot)com.
You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, on her blog, or send an e-mail to stbende(at)gmail(dot)com.
About Jessica:
Jessica is the author of PITY ISN'T AN OPTION. She writes
YA and adult fiction and resides with her husband of sixteen years, three awesome
daughters, and a plethora of pets in Central California, where fog, frost,
triple-digit heat and various items of produce arrive bountifully, depending on
the season. (We won't even go there about all of the cows.) She has an affinity
for both coffee and owls, and loves to connect with other readers and writers
whenever possible.
You can follow Jessica on
Twitter @coffeelvnmom, on her blog, or send an email to
jessicabrooks_coffeelvnmom(at)comcast(dot)net.
Jess, I totally heart your picks. I love finding new songs to write to! What about you guys -- what are your go-to writing songs for summer?
ReplyDeleteAnd I heart yours! Well, except for the country ones... (Is Phillip Phillips country? I don't think so.) No offense to country music lovers out there... just not my thang! ;) But hey... it's just like books... we don't have to like all of them for them all to have a place in this lovely world! :D
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about songs other people write to!
Writing to music freaks me out. I'm weird like that. Great choices, though. :)
ReplyDelete