The Musical Inspiration Behind North of Need
Music always plays a big part in my writing, and my contemporary fantasy romance, NORTH OF NEED, was no different. While I have trouble listening to music when I write—too distracting, I like to sing! LOL—I always make story playlists that inspire specific scenes, or remind me of the characters, or embody the emotion between the characters. I mainly listen to these playlists in the car, which for me is a great place to brainstorm and free associate story ideas. I’ve never had Stephenie Meyers’ luck—no dreams of meadows that would lead my stories to become international sensations! LOL No dreams about my stories at all. But music gets the ball rolling every time, and music plus driving equals gold!
So here’s the playlist for NORTH OF NEED, and from it you can gather several things: the characters go through some tough emotional times, and grief is a central emotional conflict. Dreaming with a Broken Heart gets me every time—there’s no better song of loss to my mind. And, with I’ll Be Home for Christmas, talk about your sad Christmas songs, this has got to be up there at the time. When I See You Smile just totally makes ME smile—first, because I’m a complete child of the 80s, second because it SO reflects how Owen feels about Megan. It’s So Hard to Say Good-bye coming on the heals of Feels Like Home is the very definition of heartache, in my book, and reflects well the highs and lows around the story’s black moment. Oh, and the Marry Me is just new-love happiness in a song and gives you a pretty big clue there’s an HEA in your future! *winks* Take a listen:
So, some questions for you:
If you’ve read NORTH OF NEED, any songs you associate with the story?
If you’re a writer, do you use music as inspiration, and how?
For everyone, any thoughts on these songs?
As always, thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye
Buy Laura's Books
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp
WANT TO WIN NORTH OF NEED? The North of Need Book Launch Blog Tour runs through November 20. A giveaway everyday!
About North of Need:
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves...
Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she's recreated the very thing she'll never have.
Called to life by Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.
Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration--before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.
About Laura Kaye:
A multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance, Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura is the author of the bestselling contemporary romance and award-nominated HEARTS IN DARKNESS and the bestselling and award-winning paranormal romance FOREVER FREED (NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011), as well as an erotic romance novella, JUST GOTTA SAY. Her fourth book, contemporary fantasy romance NORTH OF NEED, is the first in the 4-book Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day
I haven't had the oppurtunity to read North of Need yet, but do plan on it. I'll have to see where these songs fit in when I do. You do have one of my all time favorite songs on your list though, "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescense. I could definitely see where that would come to play in this novel.
ReplyDeletemnjcarter@charter.net
Woot! Thanks for kicking off the comments, mnjcarter! Even aside from this story, I really like that song, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to Lush Book Reviews for hosting me!
Good luck everyone!
I use music as my inspiration for my writing, but not WHILE I'm writing because when I'm writing it needs to be just the characters and the story. Anything else distracts me. (Like the internet :( )
ReplyDeleteI have two more library books to read and return before I can start North Of Need w/o feeling guilty. Can't wait to get into it.
ReplyDeleteLOL Victoria--that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteJK--I'm sorta the same way...easily distracted by shiny objects LOL
ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THERE'S SNOWFLAKES AT THIS BLOG? I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON I LIKE LUSH SO MUCH!!!!! *winks*
ReplyDeleteBring Me To Life is a GREAT song! I always have to listen to music when I write - but I can't do it when I edit.
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but great things about this book. Wishing you many sales. :-)
I haven't read North of Need yet, but most of the songs on your playlist are A+ in my book. I could listen to this over and over for the rest of the day. * ___ * "Marry Me" is a sure tearjerker.
ReplyDeleteI love "Bring Me to Life" too. I remember listening to "When I See You Smile" a lot when it first came out. I generally don't think of music when reading and definitely can't listen to it. I get distracted way too easily, lol.
ReplyDeletePhooey, couldn't get the player to work! I like your music list. I am not familiar with Chantal Kreviazuk. I'll have to look her up at youtube. I love to find out about book playlists. I have found many favorite songs after checking out playlists!
ReplyDeletejepebATverizonDOTnet
@Dawn--Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete@Julie--Aw, yay! Glad the playlist struck a chord with you!
@June--Me too! I like both the songs you mentioned!
@JenB--Aw, man! Internet can be so persnicketty sometimes! Sorry you had problems, but you gotta go check out that Chantal song!
Thanks for all the comments everyone!
I love the playlist and this site. The eyecandy is pure awesomeness and I so want to get my hands on this book!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the post.
What a great blurb. It makes me want to read it even more now. I like the songs on your playlist.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I love it when authors have a playlist for their books! Marry Me is such a sweet song, I have always loved it.
ReplyDeleteNorth of Need is in my TBR list, once I read it I am sure I will have a few more songs to add to this great playlist! I can't wait to read your book!!!!
I do make a playlist for each story. I use a combination of New Age/Classical/Soundtrack and Pop. Usually I have at least one Roxette and one Pat Benetar song on my list. REally easy to sing too.
ReplyDeleteI always have a playlist for my books! It really helps me keep the mood...
ReplyDeleteFor Night Walker I had the Mask of Zorro Soundtrack and Calisto's "theme song" was I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You... Kate's theme song was "Come What May" from Moulin ROuge...
I loved the songs you picked for North of Need!!! I'm looking forward to reading it!!!
Lisa :)
@PattiP--Woot! Glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDelete@Joanne--loved your comment! Woot!
@Lexi--I'd love to know what else you come up with! Enjoy!
@Beth--I tend to gravitate to a lot of the same artists, too. For example, I think Coldplay's "Fix Me" could be on the soundtrack for just about everything I write!!! LOL
@Lisa--Thanks so much Lisa!
Thanks for all the comments, guys, I'm really enjoying them!