Mary Burton | Two Books - Two Months - Two Killers

Music is one of the keys I use to unlock the heart of a character. I don’t
listen to music when I write, but when I’m driving or cooking the tunes are
always cranked. There are times when the melody and the song’s emotions strike
a cord that reminds me of one of my characters. I can’t explain why a song
works, but I know when it does.

Eva Rayburn, my heroine in SENSELESS was a tough character to get to know. In SENSELESS she is closed and guarded and only reveals herself to the hero and others in the book very carefully.

Without even realizing it, I started to notice songs that were “hers.” Songs
and playlists are so personal and so I decided to create a playlist for Eva.
After I bought the songs, I made my own CD and when I was having trouble with an
Eva scene, I’d listen to the CD. The songs unlocked emotions I couldn’t
articulate at first. But once I felt the emotions through the songs, I could
create the right scene for Eva.

So what were the songs that caught my attention while I was writing SENSELESS? Eva’s Playlist Second Chance —Shinedown
Ride Through The Country —Colt Ford
Something More—Sugarland
Hand in Mine—Trace Adkins
Speed of Sound—Coldplay
Calling All Angels—Train
If Today was Your Last Day—Nickelback
Never Too Late—Three Days Grace
Gravity—John Mayer
Crash into Me—Dave Matthews Band
Apologize—One Republic
Let Me Down Easy—Billy Currington
If I Die Young—The Band Perry

So what are you favorite songs? I’d love to hear some of your favorite songs
that might remind you of a book or character.

Mary Burton captivates readers with stories of mystery, crime and relationships--destined to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Her January 2010 book SENSELESS is a romantic suspense set in Virginia. When she’s not writing her latest novel, she is most definitely in the kitchen cooking.

Comments

11 comments posted.

Re: Mary Burton | Two Books - Two Months - Two Killers

Love your playlist.
(Vikki Parman 12:00pm January 7, 2011)

Yellow Submarine - The Beatles reminds me of anything 60's.
(Sue Farrell 12:21pm January 7, 2011)

When you've read so many books, sometimes the characters tend to intertwine. My music likes vary from classical to easy listening lite rock. You can forget about rap, though. lol Anyway, Scheherezade will whisk me away to any book with an Arabian theme to it. I can picture myself tormenting my lover for 1001 nights. lol That piece takes me back to my high school days when I played the cello, and I've always loved the piece. There are songs by Michael Buble that could be used in any number of romance novels, for sure! He does have a smooth way with his voice and words. Misery by Coldplay could be used in some romances as well, but the names of the books escape me. I have read so many over the years. My tastes are ecclectic, as are my tastes in books. It depends on my mood at the time. One day I may be in the mood for a dripping romance, the next time I might want a light-hearted comedy or a crime novel. On that note, perhaps I should be listening to the song Unwriten. lol
(Peggy Roberson 12:31pm January 7, 2011)

I love music...always something for whatever mood I am in! Never thought of a song or songs connecting to a character though...
(Colleen Conklin 12:38pm January 7, 2011)

I have never connected a particular song to a book or character even.
(Mary Preston 3:33pm January 7, 2011)

Congrats on the new release. I've never associated a song with a particular book, but some of my favorites are U2's "With or Without You," and The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony."
(Jane Cheung 3:52pm January 7, 2011)

I'm not a music person; even when driving I usually have an audio book on.
(Diane Sadler 7:30pm January 7, 2011)

I've never connected a book with a song. I love Katy Perry, I might see a singer as someone described in a book, but not the other way around. ~ : )
(Brenda Rupp 7:40pm January 7, 2011)

Songs tend to "get" to me, too. I like plenty of oldies because I think of where I was when I first heard them. I also like to hear what I call "my song" like the ones from first dates and other interesting experiences. Coldplay, Duffy and Nickelback are some of the tunes I listen to.
(Alyson Widen 8:51pm January 7, 2011)

music can definitly effect the mood!
(Diane Sallans 9:27pm January 7, 2011)

When I read it wouldn't matter if ACDC was blasting through the
house, if it's a good book it takes me places that I've yet to
imagine.
(Lisa Richards 12:10pm January 9, 2011)

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