Category: Music

Reading Watching Listening: Extra Long Summer Fun Edition

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Beach read! (Literally. It takes place AT the beach. Surfers. Mmmm…)

READING

Summer beach reads! I have two contemporary romance authors (three, technically) to recommend to you for fun summer beach reads. Yay!

The first is the writing duo of Steph Campbell and Elizabeth Reinhardt. (Full disclosure, I’m good friends with both these gals.) Liz and Steph write mostly contemporary romance, and their books are very fun and perfect for vacation. Limits is the next book in the Lengths trilogy, and that will be out in the next week or so, but in the meantime, you can catch up with Lengths and Depths. Fair warning, ladies, keep your hands to yourself with Cohen in Depths. He’s MY book boyfriend, and I’m not in a sharing mood.

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Look! I liked something pink!

The second is Cora Carmack. Her first book, Losing It, hit the NYT Bestseller list, so she’s kind of a big deal now. 😉 Luckily, she’s still a very cool chick and her second book, Faking It just released last week. These are laugh out loud funny romances, you guys. But they also ring true. I like wit, but I also like emotional depth, and these books have both. The characters feel very real. So… deliciously awkward situations with snappy dialogue? Yes, please. I highly recommend both.

Not swooning. Not swoon--okay, swooning.
Not swooning. Not swoon–okay, swooning.

WATCHING

Television: I loooove a good psychological mystery, and it’s hard to beat the BBC for that. One of my favorite shows years ago was Wire in the Blood with Robson Green. (I think you can catch the whole series on Netflix. Warning: It’s VERY dark.) In the same tradition of strong, character-driven mysteries comes Luther. This show is brilliant. The writing is smart and layered. The acting is top notch. Idris Elba is… visceral in the leading role. He’s so, so good. The first two seasons are streaming on Netflix, and I highly recommend them.

I LOVE YOU, TONY!
I LOVE YOU, TONY!

Movies: I just saw Ironman 3. It got mixed reviews, and I’m not sure why. I really liked it. I thought it was narratively strong, particularly as the final film in the Ironman trilogy, and the action and dialogue were balanced and sharp. Knowing my weakness for lovable smart-asses, you can probably guess how much I love RDJ as Tony Stark. (It’s a weakness I won’t apologize for. I would totally fangirl in real life.) Is Ironman still my favorite Avenger? YES.

LISTENING

If you’re looking for a folk/rock sound, I highly recommend Lord Huron. I saw them when they opened for Monsters and Men last winter, then I saw them at Coachella. In a long weekend, they were one of the most memorable acts. I think you’re going to be hearing a lot more from them. Their album is Lonesome Dreams, and “She Lit a Fire” and “Ends of the Earth” are two stand-outs for me.

Dreeeeeamy...
Dreeeeeamy…

And if you’re looking for something a little (okay, a lot) harder, SAVAGES!!! A London based punk band I also caught at Coachella, they were amazing live, and their first album, Silence Yourself, just released in May. They’ve got a lot of buzz, and in my opinion, it’s well-deserved.

My fictional girl band will NEVER be as cool as these girls...
My fictional girl band will NEVER be as cool as these girls…

That’s what I’m reading, watching, and listening. What are you up to this summer?

August wrap-up: Writing updates, Chicago news, and get ready for BLOODY SEPTEMBER!

I may have been a little bit happy about our seats…

The month of August is ending and what a month it has been! Lots going on, lots of new readers, and WAY more blog traffic. Hi to all the new readers! *waves like a dork* Welcome to my blog and I hope you hang around. Press the subscribe button if you like. I promise not to flood your inbox. I only post a couple times a week, max, but this is the best way to keep up with new releases, teasers, and other stuff like that.

WRITING NEWS!!! 

I’m finishing up revisions for Carwyn’s book this week, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I’m also continuing with the first draft of the new Cambio Springs book (you can read the first chapter here). Life is fun in shapeshifter-land.

What have I been up to personally? Well, work mostly, but I was at the last Gentlemen of the Road stopover in Monterey last weekend. Mumford & Sons? Yeah, they’re as amazing live as everyone says. Do yourself a favor and go to a show if it’s humanly possible. You’ll be glad you did. Crazy fun festival. Well run and not too big. If they do it again, I’m there. Also, if you haven’t discovered Gogol Bordello, fix that. Gypsy punk. That is all.

I was also able to attend an event last Friday with Mumford & Sons hosted by the National Steinbeck Center in downtown Monterey. Great tribute to a writer who was a huge part of my childhood and personal literary heritage. Like all writers from Central California, Steinbeck holds a special place, and Cannery Row is one of my favorite books of all time. It was also great to hear from the band on what some of the literary influences in their music have been. I use music a lot for inspiration in my writing, so it was awesome to see the other side of the coin.

What’s coming up in September? Well, I think I’m going to extend the free book promotion for A Hidden Fire. The series as a whole has been doing amazingly well, so I want to thank all my readers, new and old, and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right? I’ve always said that happy readers are the best advertising money can’t buy and you all prove me right every single day. Once I get done with revisions, I’ll be able to burrow into the writing cave and tear things up in shapeshifter-land so I can get the new books out faster.

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I also want to remind everyone about Chicago! Seriously, you guys, the line up at this event is going to be amazing. NYT bestsellers, Colleen Hoover and Tracey Garvis-Graves will be there. Abbi Glines, Elizabeth Reyes, and a bunch of the hottest names in indie and traditional pub are meeting and the event is open to the public. I’ll be there meeting you all, selling the new editions of the paperbacks (they’re gorgeous), and signing whatever for anyone that shows up. The event website is here. Like I said, it’s open to the public and I’d love to meet anyone that could make it.

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Saving the best for last, are you ready for Bloody September? This is a new contest/blood drive that was the brainchild of the awesome Laura Bradley Rede, and I’m thrilled to be lending a… vein to the cause. (Along with some signed books.) Blood supplies in the US are at a fifteen year low and some of your favorite paranormal authors (including yours truly) are taking action! And we hope our readers do, too! Donate blood in September and get a chance at an awesome prize pack and some great runner-up prizes, as well. We just need photographic evidence of non-vampiric blood donation and you’re entered to win. I’ll be posting more about this later in the week.

Lots to do, so I’m out for now. Have a great week, everyone!

Thanks for reading,

Elizabeth

Free Book Friday: A Hidden Fire is free at Smashwords in August

Hey all! Just a quick update to let you know about a new promotion. For the month of August, you can download the first book in my Elemental Mysteries series, A Hidden Fire, for free at Smashwords.

Amazon may or may not match this deal, but if you’ve never tried Smashwords before, check it out! You can download any format you like (mobi, ePub, PDF, and more) for one price. If you have multiple e-readers, Smashwords is the place to buy. Continue reading “Free Book Friday: A Hidden Fire is free at Smashwords in August”

Reading/Watching/Listening: Summer Random

With the move and everything this summer, life was pretty chaotic. There’s no rhyme or reason to this RWL. No theme or gist. Just bits and pieces of what’s been entertaining to me. Well, this and painting. I’ve started painting again. Because I didn’t have enough to do.

Reading: The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

I love when a book makes me feel like I’ve been dropped into a foreign world. And the world building in the Kate Daniels series, which begins with Magic Bites, is truly exceptional. It is Urban Fantasy at its best. Here’s the series synopsis from Ilona Andrew’s website: Continue reading “Reading/Watching/Listening: Summer Random”

Metaphor, Guy Clark, and The Cape

I’m in awe of good songwriters. A good song is a complete story told in three or four minutes. Set to music. Now, I’m a decent writer, but I hold a certain reverence for those talented individuals who can tell a story, put it to music, and often, sing it too. That, my friends, is talent.

I listened to a variety of music growing up, from the Statler Brothers to Led Zeppelin, folk music of all kinds and classical music, too. My own musical training was classical (voice and piano) but I always had an affection for traditional country music. When I went to school in Houston, I fell in love with Texas songwriters. Lyle Lovett was the first, quickly followed by Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark.

Now, a lot of you may never have heard of Guy Clark (or Van Zandt, which is a crime), but you’ve probably heard his songs. They’ve been covered by some of the biggest names in country music. However, if you’ve never heard Clark sing, you’re missing out. I’ve heard him described as a musician’s musician. He builds guitars and often plays them. He’s a songwriter, a mentor, and he’s probably one of the most emotionally evocative performers I’ve ever seen with nothing more on stage than himself and a guitar. If you think I’m exaggerating, here’s a video of Clark performing his song, Dublin Blues, last year:

Okay, this has kind of turned into a Guy Clark Appreciation Post (which is fine) but I wanted to get back to the idea of songs as really tiny, efficient stories and what we can learn from that as prose writers. One of the reasons songwriters can get away with telling big stories in tiny settings is effective use of metaphor. Continue reading “Metaphor, Guy Clark, and The Cape”

Reading/Watching/Listening: Christmas Edition

by Schlurcher

Okay, I’ll admit it, if there’s any season that gets me sentimental and traditional, it’s Christmas. Starting around Thanksgiving, I bake. I crochet. I drive around looking at Christmas lights with my son. I wear tweed if at all possible. Basically, the Christmas season brings out my latent British roots (which are very latent.)

And I am, to say the very least, a traditionalist. You will never see a pink Christmas tree at my house. The colors are green, red, and gold. There will be garlands. There will not be a palm tree with lights. (Even though I live in Southern California.) I like my music classical and my films period.

So, here’s my Reading/Watching/Listening: Christmas edition:

Reading: Elf on a Shelf Now, apparently, this crazy little guy has been around for a while, but this is the first year I’ve heard of him. In our house, he’s named Shrinky, and he often skips a night flying up to the North Pole (because I am lazy and forgetful, but I blame it on Shrinky). My son loves him, and the book is really quite cute; we’ve read it many times. If you want some seriously imaginative ideas about doing a photoshoot with your elf, check out lilblueboo.com. (Some people have far better imaginations than I do. At least when it comes to elves.) And for the NotSafeForKids version of elf ideas, you must check this out. Because twisted humor is twisted. And awesome.

Watching: Little Women (1994) I absolutely loved this adaptation of one of my favorite childhood books. I even liked Winona Ryder as Jo (and I haven’t liked her in much since Heathers.) This movie isn’t strictly a Christmas movie, but the soundtrack is part of the Christmas season at my house, and the beginning happens at Christmas. It’s a really lovely family movie with good performances, Christmas themes that actually involve something other than Santa, and great music. Plus, Gabriel Byrne as Professor Bhaer. Win. Continue reading “Reading/Watching/Listening: Christmas Edition”

How does music move you?

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

Aldous Huxley

 

So most of you know that I love music. A lot. A lot a lot. As in, I was a sobbing mess when I lost my playlists in my hard drive crash. (“But honey, we saved all the music!” “But…but…my playlists! How will I ever remember the exact order of my Lyle Lovett collection?”) As in, I still travel hundred of miles and drag my six-year-old along to go to music festivals.  (He likes the contact high. Kidding! Mostly…) And music really inspires me in my writing.  But I wanted to write a little here about how I actually use it as a writing tool and not just for fun.

While some people have set hours of the day that they write or a particular room that seems to make that creative energy flow, I do not. Nope. Most of the over half a million words I’ve written in the past couple of years have been written at my kitchen table.

Sometimes it’s quiet, most times I’m surrounded by the cacophony of an active household. Since my husband works from home, that means that at any time, I can have one small boy, one large man, and three loud dogs running around and barking. (They all bark, or at least it feels that way sometimes.)

The reason that music has become so essential to my writing isn’t just that it sounds cool, but because it allows me to focus.  Before I sit down to start writing, I put together a playlist for a book.  I listen to it while I brainstorm.  I listen to it while I plot or time-line.  Sometimes there are songs for each individual chapter, sometimes it’s a set for a character, but there is always a playlist, and I don’t change it much once I start writing.  When that playlist starts, it immediately puts me in “writing mode,” no matter where I am.  I might be at the kitchen table with one earphone in so I can make sure no one starts crying or bleeding, it might be at the library while my son is at judo, or at a coffee shop late at night, but whenever I hear that music, it allows me to focus my mind and brings me back into my characters’ universe.

This might not work for everyone, but it’s pretty effective for me, and it’s something that you might try in your own writing if writers’ block is an issue for you.  Sometimes, all I need is the first few bars of a song to throw me into my character’s mind or body and then away I can go.

So if you don’t have a crystal cocoon to write in (and frankly, who does?) try a dedicated playlist! I save them all and go back to them when I’m editing, or just need to remind myself why I loved that book or piece of writing in the first place.

What do you think? How does music move or inspire you?

Thanks for reading,

Elizabeth

Below is the music video for one song that was instrumental (ha! I’m punny.) in the development of Giovanni Vecchio, the main character in A Hidden Fire, which will be out on Tuesday!

Damien Rice—”Volcano”

 

Reading/Watching/Listening: Smart Chick’s Edition

Young Woman Reading by Mary Cassatt

I’m sick of the dumb-as-dirt women I’m seeing on television lately.  I don’t know these women.  Most of my friends, even if they’re not Rhodes Scholars, are pretty savvy about their own lives.  And I rarely see the grown women I know acting like high school drama queens. So I give you, R/W/L Smart Chick’s Edition.  Enjoy.

 Reading: Kissed by Darkness (Sunwalker Saga) by Shéa McLeod

I love opening a book and feeling like I’ve fallen into a really well-developed universe, and Kissed by Darkness is looking like a great read so far.  Add in a kick-ass heroine with a quick wit, a great sense of humor, and a pair of nice boots?  I’m sold. Plus, it’s set on the West Coast. Go Portland!

I’m only a few chapters in, but I’m already enjoying Morgan’s distinctive voice, the well-developed cast of supporting characters, and the intriguing premise.  This is the first of the Sunwalker Saga, and if the first book is any indication, I’m going to enjoy digging into the second one, as well.

Kissed by Darkness is well-written and moves at a fast clip without seeming rushed.  It’s adult paranormal fiction with a smart feel, a lot of humor, and a very appealing protagonist.  Check it out!

Watching: Sons of Anarchy

Pet peeve? Giving a female protagonist in a series a smart, professional career, and then writing her like she was a bubble-headed teenager. (Ally McBeal? I’m looking at you.) Thing I love with hearts and flowers?  Finding female characters in supposedly misogynistic environments that are smart, savvy, and fully developed.

Which is why I can recommend watching Sons of Anarchy, whose fourth season just premiered here in the U.S.  Given the premise of the show, a drama surrounding a motorcycle club in Northern California, viewers might expect the show’s female characters to be window dressing, but they would be dead wrong.  Katey Sagal won a Golden Globe last year for her portrayal of Gemma, the matriarch of the club, and why she didn’t win every other award out there, I don’t know.

These women are powerful, intelligent, diverse characters; and the writers on the show have a lot of respect for them.  The male/female interaction is genuine and uncontrived.  The relationships feel real.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.  It’s Shakespeare on Harleys, people.  Check it out.

Listening: Loreena McKennitt—The Book of Secrets

This listening pick has a lot to do with what I’m writing right now, which is the third Elementals book, and has some very East meets West themes.  So I’m listening to a lot of this particular album while I write.

But, if you’ve never checked out Loreena McKennitt’s music, please get thee to iTunes or your local music store soon!  This is folk/Celtic/world music that not only sounds great, but has a lot of depth.  If you’ve ever read McKennitt’s liner notes, you know that she not only writes and performs, but she does a lot of research into the culture, folklore, and geography of the genres that inspire her.  Your ears will thank you, as will your brain.

Check out “The Mummer’s Dance” from The Book of Secrets. And don’t forget, smart chicks rule.