soundtrack sunday

March 1, 2015 By Skyla Dawn Cameron Leave a Comment

Soundtrack Sunday – DIAL V FOR VAMPIRE Edition

I ended up skipping the Damaged soundtrack as there wasn’t really anything new for Zara songs (other than “Titanium” by David Guetta ft Sia, both the original and this cover), so we go straight to Dial V for Vampire.

This one’s a bit bittersweet. Dial V‘s soundtrack also would’ve been Solace‘s (book six)–that’s how it’s labelled on iTunes for me and what I used when writing this novella. When I pulled it out to set up this draft post a month ago, the music made me nostalgic and I got that sad, “I want to write these books” feeling, and thought maybe, MAYBE, I could try swinging one book a year later despite the horrifically low sales because I so want to tell more of these stories.

Twenty-four hours later, Exhumed ended up on a piracy site.

So.

This is it for these characters. Solace will never be published; Dial V for Vampire will have to suffice as the only glimpse at Zara’s future.

Most of the songs lean toward sappy. Shut up, I CAN be girly sometimes.

Jake Coco and Madilyn Bailey (cover) – “Somebody That I Used to Know“
The opening chapters of DVfV was written to this one.
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness//Like resignation to the end, always the end

Jewel – “Break Me“
I will let you undress me//But I warn you I have thorns//Like any rose

Pink – “I Don’t Believe You“
It’s like you’re the swing set and I’m the kid that falls

Within Temptation – “All I Need“
There’s a very specific scene in Solace with this one. And now I’m just making myself sad.
Do you still see//The heart of me? and also: Make my heart a better place//Give me something I can believe//Don’t tear me down//You’ve opened the door now, don’t let it close

E.S. Posthumus – “Unstoppable“

The Cranberries – “Linger“
You know I’m such a fool for you//You’ve got me wrapped around your finger

Lisa Loeb – “How“
I didn’t come this far for you to make this hard for me.

Two Steps from Hell – “After the Fall“

Two Steps from Hell – “Protectors of the Earth“
One of the themes of the, er, creatures Zara battles when she and Maximilian go looking for evidence at the apartment.

Sara Bareilles – “Gravity“
This was basically the theme song for Solace and every post-Exhumed Z/N meeting.
Something always brings me back to you//It never takes too long

Elijah Bossenbroek – “I Give Up“

Adele – “Lovesong”
The epilogue song for this one, and also what Z/N danced to at Alchemy Red.
Whenever I’m alone with you//You make me feel like I am home again

Bonus: Viral song

Andrew Belle – “In My Veins“
This was to be Nate’s book, the eighth, and this was a theme for it.
Oh, you’re in my veins//And I cannot get you out

So that’s it for this series of soundtracks until it’s time for Oblivion. I’m taking next week off and then it’ll be time for Rebellion.

February 22, 2015 By Skyla Dawn Cameron Leave a Comment

Soundtrack Sunday – EXHUMED Edition

Exhumed-Kindle When we last left Zara, she had fun kickass songs. Now…angst, angst, and MOAR ANGST.

It’s the Exhumed playlist.

Note: A lot of the standard Zara songs from the Bloodlines soundtrack also apply here but I didn’t want to repeat them.

Stone Sour – “Through Glass”
Crazy!Nate song
But no one ever tells you//That forever feels like home//Sitting all alone inside your head

Slipknot – “Snuff“
MOAR Crazy!Nate, specifically when he asks her to kill him.
So if you love me, let me go

Des’ree – “Kissing You“
Kissy song. For the first kissy scene stuff, where Nate says he remembers everything.
But watching stars without you//My soul cried

Ben Cocks feat. Nikisha Reyes-Pile – “So Cold”
Now we get to the angst portion of the soundtrack.
You caused my heart to bleed and//You still owe me a reason

Damien Rice – “I Remember”
MOAR ANGST. In all seriousness, it’s hard to beat this in terms of a song about the brutal pain of a breakup.
Nothing is taking me down//Except you, my love…

Michelle Featherstone – “Stay“
If I was sincere//Whispered my fears//Would you still be here?//Would you stay?

Linkin Park – “In The End“
When Zara goes to the farmhouse and starts throwing people out the window/blasting away with her shotgun.
Trying to hold on but didn’t even know//I wasted it all just to watch you go

Adele – “Set Fire to the Rain”
So we get real literal here as Zara…kind of sets a house on fire. Much of the book deals with betrayal, or perceived betrayal, and this song could’ve been written for it.

Flyleaf – “Breathe Today“
When [spoilers] bursts into Nic/Peri’s house and attacks Zara in the latter half of the book, this was my chick fight song.

How to Destroy Angels – “A Drowning”
There’s a chapter called “Drowning” in the book, IIRC when Zara’s breaking down and Ellie’s the only one who understands (since he can see from her POV)–I specifically had this song in mind
I don’t think I can save myself//I’m drowning here

Pocahontas Soundtrack – “If I Never Knew You“
Okay, STOP LAUGHING. I MEAN IT, SHUT UP. Yes, the chapter in the book with that title was named after this song and played in my head the whole goddamn time. Because Nate is a fucking SAP and is laughing because he gave me this as an earworm.

Walls Of Jericho – “No Saving Me“
When Zara’s dragged out of “sleep”, while in the dungeon of the Court’s building.
How long will I take to bleed//These is no saving me//How far will you go to hold on

E.S. Posthumus – “Ebla”
Basically the entire final climax of the book had this song playing in the background for me.

Mumford & Sons – “I Gave You All“
This was originally my epilogue song when I pictured the end of the book.
I never meant you any harm//But your tears feel warm as they fall on my forearms

Mika – “Happy Ending“
This ended up being the actual song I listened to the most while writing said epilogue, however.
This is the way you left me//I’m not pretending//No hope, no love, no glory//No Happy Ending//This is the way that we love//Like it’s forever//Then live the rest of our life//But not together

“9 Crimes” Bonus:

Damien Rice – “9 Crimes“
This should be fairly obvious given that it’s the title of the novella. I also listened to it a lot while writing Exhumed, but it was the theme song primarily for Nate’s story. (He actually makes me listen to a lot of Damien Rice. I don’t mind.)
It’s the wrong time//She’s pulling me through//It’s a small crime//And I’ve got no excuse

“Sunrise” Bonus:

Elvis Costello – “She“
I include it here because it also takes place during Exhumed, but when I wrote Nate’s short story, “Sunrise”, there’s a reference to this song too. It’s what Nate was creepily singing while painting bloody windows on the walls.

February 15, 2015 By Skyla Dawn Cameron 2 Comments

Soundtrack Sunday – LINEAGE Edition

Lineage-Kindle What does Peri like to listen to when she’s brutally killing someone? The answer might surprise you. Read on for my Lineage playlist.

Godsmack – “I Stand Alone”
This has been Peri’s theme for as long as I can remember. It’s dark. It’s violent. It’s about being used as a pawn by others and realizing, well, that you stand alone.
Make me believe that this place isn’t plagued by the poison in me//Help me decide if my fire will burn out before you can breathe

Utada Hikaru – “Devil Inside”
Peri generally hates J-pop…unless she’s being particularly violent. All of the fight scenes in Lineage were written to J-pop. I have no idea why, she apparently likes the contrast. Specifically, the scene midway through where she’s trailing demon magic through the city and sees the kid being grabbed as a sacrifice–that was when she first specified “PUT ON THE J-POP, BITCH.”

Evanescence – “My Immortal”
I don’t think you can write a book about someone grieving as deeply as Peri without including this song. Of course, Peri is so self-absorbed she has no idea that this is how Nicolette feels about losing Annalise.
If you have to leave//I wish that you would just leave//Your presence still lingers here//And it won’t leave me alone

X Japan – “Forever Love“
The only reason there’s a soft romantic acoustic song on this playlist is because it was played at Peri’s wedding (prior to the book, and therefore prior to her being a socipathic demon merc we all know and love).

Jonatha Brooke – “What You Don’t Know“
Try to remember, try to forget//Those yesterdays bleeding through

Apocalyptica – “Farewell“
Peri contemplates suicide and picks up the gun in Zara’s apartment after she escapes Bravo Division (and blows everything up).

Linkin Park – “Breaking the Habit“
This is basically Peri’s song about being a terrible, unhappy person doing awful things and…well, perhaps not breaking out of it, but at least contemplating change and maybe not killing herself.
Memories consume//Like opening the wound//I’m picking me apart again

Florence + The Machine – “Falling“
Because falling’s not the problem//When I’m falling I’m in peace//It’s only when I hit the ground//It causes all the grief

Apocalyptica – “Worlds Collide“
The climax of Lineage was written to this.

Utada Hikaru (U2 Cover) – “With or Without You”
It’s back to Utada for my Peri/Nic theme. Although it’s too sappy and Peri would never admit it, yes, absolutely, this was their theme while writing.
See the stone set in your eyes//See the thorn twist in your side//I wait for you

Beck – “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime”
An epilogue song, and one that encapsulates Peri by the end of the book, IMO.

February 8, 2015 By Skyla Dawn Cameron Leave a Comment

Soundtrack Sunday – HUNTER Edition

Hunter-Kindle Trailer music! Acoustic stuff! Christian rock! It’s time for Hunter‘s playlist.

Globus – “Diem Ex Dei”
Ignoring the junk Latin lyrics for a moment, this is the song I most associate with Ryann, my demon-hunting nun. The slow build, the almost plaintive quality to it: I picture Ryann drawing her katana, light glimmering on its edge, a silver cross at her throat, the determined look in her eyes as she goes to battle.

Kim Richey – “A Place Called Home”
Although lyrically it doesn’t immediately conjure up Ryann, the sense of not entirely knowing where you belong or where to call home is very much her.
Some day I’ll go where there ain’t no rain or snow//Till then I’ll travel alone//And I’ll make my bed with the stars above my head//And dream of a place called home

India.Arie – “I Am Ready for Love”
This was always my Ryann/Ellie theme. Their relationship has a slower build and an odd dance; both doubt they’re right for one another, pining from afar.
I am ready for love//If you’ll take me in your hands//I will learn what you teach//And do the best that I can

Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
This is Ellie’s theme. He’s a very troubled psychic, someone who can see through the eyes of victims of violent crimes as well as killers. He drinks a lot to be able to cope otherwise he runs the risk of paralyzing seizures and severe mental trauma. So he tends toward very relaxing music and this always makes me think of him.

Barlow Girl – “Never Alone“
Ryann makes me listen to Christian rock a lot. I’m an atheist, so that’s hard on me, but I’m okay with this one.
I cried out with no reply//And I can’t feel You by my side//So I’ll hold tight to what I know//You’re here and I’m never alone

Dayna Manning – “Miracle”
Theme for the end of Hunter
I got no shame to save or lose//for now there’s no wrong and there’s no right//and I don’t give a damn what tomorrow may bring//’cause I’m working on a miracle tonight

Chantal Kreviazuk – “Feels Like Home“
It was around this book I started titling the epilogues after the songs I listened to while writing them. This is Hunter‘s.
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light

February 1, 2015 By Skyla Dawn Cameron 2 Comments

Soundtrack Sunday – BLOODLINES Edition

Bloodlines-Kindle So we’re going back like ten years for Bloodlines; I don’t even have access to the original computer I wrote it on, let alone the full playlist, but a couple of songs stuck in my head, and a handful of new ones were there when I rewrote it in 2011.

Here are some Zara-related tunes for you! (There’ll be lots more when I get around to posting Exhumed‘s playlist.)

Aimee Allen – “Revolution”
Zara Lain appeared in my head in 2004, talking in full surround sound and completely fully formed, and I wrote her very first scene while this was playing.

Aimee Allen – “Too Fucked Up for Love”
I…can’t find a link to this one for you to listen to. 🙁 Title should say it all, though.
I’m afraid you’re holding on to something that’s too far gone

Garbage – “Wicked Ways”
Another very Zara song. Let’s face it, she’ll never actually mend her wicked ways.
I’ve done things I never thought I’d do//Sure it helps to lose myself in you

Garbage – “Temptation Waits”
It’s a tad on the nose, but still, Zara.

Florence + The Machine – “Blinding”
I do think of this as Zara/Ana’s overall theme—it captures her past, her present, her insecurities and her strength. (I can’t even pick specific lyrics—the whole thing sums up the awakening as Vampire!Ana to her present self straight through to the novella Damaged.)

Evanescence – “Going Under“
Don’t want your hand this time – I’ll save myself//Maybe I’ll wake up for once

Evanescence – “Bring Me To Life“
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?//Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb//Without a soul my spirit’s sleeping somewhere cold//Until you find it there and lead it back home

E.S. Posthumus – “Pompeii”
I listen to a lot of “trailer” type music when I write—Immediate Music/Globus, E.S. Posthumus, Two Steps from Hell, etc—and this is the one song I associate the most with Zara and Bloodlines.

Immediate Music – “An Epic Age“
This would also be in my Bloodlines trailer, if it were a film.

Milla – “Rocket Collecting”
and I’ve turned into this//smiling, snarling monster

Shivaree – “Goodnight Moon“
Well goodnight moon//I want the sun//If it’s not here soon//I might be done

Puscifer – “Rev 22:20”
Look, she’s a highly sexualized character–Zara needs a highly sexualized song on her playlist.
Prayin’ to stay in her arms just until I can die a little longer//Saviors and saints, devils and heathens alike//She’ll eat you alive

Fioana Apple – “Criminal“
I’ve been a bad bad girl//I’ve been careless//With a delicate man//And it’s a sad sad world//When a girl will break a boy//Just because she can

Atreyu – “Her Portrait in Black“
Can you feel her//Running through your veins?//She will always live forever

Sarah McLachlan – “Stupid”
If I had to pick a song for Zara and Nate…I actually listened to this one a lot when I originally wrote their scenes in 2004. It’s all Zara, a determined bachelorette, realizing she’s way over her head and this is likely a mistake
love has made me a fool//it set me on fire and watched as I floundered

Katie Melua – “No Fear of Heights”
Now that I’m older and have seen Zara/Nate’s relationship mature, this is the theme I’d lean toward in this book (in fact, I have flashback scenes from their night in the cabin in Amends, and wrote them to this one). I wouldn’t say either of them particularly come across as scared of anything, but the sense of doing something you know could ultimately lead to your downfall—in this case love—fits them well.
I was scared of what I couldn’t keep//But when you give me love//I have no fear of heights//No fear of the deep blue sea//Although it could drown me

Bonus: “Thrall” songs

Apocalyptica – “Bittersweet”
I wrote“Thrall” (available with Bloodlines and 9 Crimes) with this on repeat. Nate’s song.
I won’t give up//I’m possessed by her//I’m bearing a cross//She’s turned into my curse

Slipknot – “Vermillion Pt. 2“
Nate’s other song! Looking for Zara, when Heaven accuses him of being her thrall.
She is everything to me//The unrequited dream//A song that no one sings//The unattainable, she’s a myth that I have to believe in//All I need to make it real is one more reason

Demons of Oblivion fans–if you’re on Facebook, you can join the group Alchemy Red to talk with other readers. For the next month and a bit, Soundtrack Sundays will be devoted to these books, and at the end, I’ll do a special edition with fan-submitted soundtrack songs. If you have any tunes you associate with the series, head on over there and let us know!

Soundtrack Sunday – DIAL V FOR VAMPIRE Edition