Anya Bast

Music really helps me when I write. In fact, I think my iPod and iTunes should qualify as a tax deduction. They’re writing tools. (Too bad the IRS doesn’t agree with me.) Anyway, music can help get my head in the game when I’m distracted or not feeling the way I should be emotionally for a scene.

Because of this, every book I write gets a play list. The music I use differs according to book and series. For example, the music I’ll be selecting for my new Brotherhood of the Damned series will be a little bit harder and intense than a lot of the music I used for my Dark Magick series, which tended to be (yes) darker and a tad more mystical sounding.

I use music that complements the tone and pacing of the book I’m writing, so when I’m working on the story, it puts me in the right frame of mind.

Here’s my play list for the book I’m writing currently, Embrace of the Damned:

1.) Seven Sirens and a Silver Tear – Sirenia

2.) Turn the Sky (featuring Apocalyptica) – Angelzoom

3.) Liar – Rollins Band

4.) Cokkha – Apocalyptica

5.) It Can’t Rain All the Time – Jane Siberry

6.) I’m not Jesus (Featuring Corey Taylor) – Apocalyptica

7.) Golgotha Tenement Blues – Machines of Loving Grace

8.) Stop a Bullet – Black Light Burns

9.) Color me Once – Violent Femmes

10.) Uninvited – Alanis Morissette

I thought about finding all these on Youtube and posting the vids here for your listening pleasure, but, frankly, I’m not sure that would be kosher copyright-wise, so I’ll let you look them up on your own if you’re interested in hearing any of them.

Just because I’m always looking for new fodder for my play lists, what music do you listen to or what would you recommend to me? I listen to all kinds of stuff, but I definitely have my favorites. What are a few of your favs? You know, those tracks you play over and over again and never get sick of.

Oh, and speaking of vids, I just finished the book video for Dark Enchantment (April 5th). The music used in all my book vids is purchased from a stock music site. It’s always rough trying to find the right sound to fit the book, especially when my options are limited. I was going for dark, dreamy and intense for this one.

How do you think I did?

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