Setting the Mood

By Landra Graf

Whenever I write a story I find the easiest way to connect to my characters is to located songs that fit their moods, emotions, or certain interactions with others. It’s more than music itself that inspires a scene, it’s lyrics and the voice singing the song. No matter what story I’m writing brainstorming and developing the story plays out best when I’m listening to music I’ve associated with that story.

I’ll fill my day job with listening to the playlist of whatever I’m working for so that the creative side of my brain is still working out any plot bunny issues or character backstory. Then I jot down all the ideas in my handy, dandy notebook. You caught that Blue’s Clues reference right?

For Victoria and Royce in my 1NS release, What You Need, my music revolved around some hard core rock. From Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, Korn, I found inspiration through a multitude of rock songs that helped fuel all the desire, the pain, lust, and attraction between my femdom Victoria and her sub Royce.

My question for you is: Do you listen to music while you write? While you brainstorm? What kinds of music fuel the story? Are they tailored like mine or do you just listen to what you enjoy everyday?

Victoria and Royce Playlist

Sleeping Beauty – A Perfect Circle

Undone- Weezer

I Think I’m Paranoid – Garbage

3 Libras- A Perfect Circle

The Only Exception- Paramore

Amber- 311

That’s What You Get- Paramore

Crushcrushcrush- Paramore

Misery Business (Acoustic)- Paramore

Too Close- Alex Clare

Linger- Cranberries

4am- Our Lady Of Peace

Monster- Paramore

Jaded- Aerosmith

Sour Girl- Stone Temple Pilots

Like A Stone- Audioslave

Always- Saliva

Breath- Breaking Benjamin

Cold- Crossfade

Closer- Nine Inch Nails

Way Too Far- Korn

Blow Me Away- Breaking Benjamin

Judith- A Perfect Circle

Immigrant Song- Trent Reznor

Blue Monday- Orgy

#LandraGraf, #1NS, #1nightstand, #decadentpub