Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Contest, Contest, Contest!

Contest! Contest! Contest!

WINNER! Threw the names in a hat. Kristi email me your address at: christie(at)christie-craig.com so I can send you ARC and t-shirt.



Are you big music fans? Do you remember the theme songs to movies?



I love music, but I’ll be the first to admit it’s not as big a part of my life as I would like it to be. You see, most of my problem is that I can’t listen to music with lyrics and write at the same time. I get pulled into the story of the song and yanked out of the story I’m trying to write. And since I spend about eight to twelve hours a day writing, it doesn’t leave a lot of time to indulge in music.



However, a question I often get asked is if I have a theme song for a book, or if my character has a theme song. Until recently, every time a person asked me that question, I’d panic a little. Had I skipped some important step in creating my character and her world by not finding her a theme song?



And then it happened. A friend pointed out a song that she felt was Kylie’s theme song. For those of you who don’t know, in addition to my humorous romantic suspense novels, I also write a YA paranormal series for St. Martin’s Press/Griffin called Shadow Falls under my pseudonym, C.C. Hunter. Anyway, when I listened to the words to the song, I was shocked. It was so darn perfect. But when I saw the video, I was really blown away. This was Kylie’s story. So many of the elements in the video had meaning to her story. It was and is so inspiring that almost every day before I start writing, I go watch, and listen, to the video.



And because it’s less than a month away when Taken at Dusk, my third book in the Shadow Falls series, will release, I’m also going to post the amazing video that R.M Brand did for my book. (Isn’t she talented?) Because this is a wide-screen video, please double-click on the video to maximize in your browser.




Or, you can just go view the video at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNcfLU8nkG4

And today, to celebrate the upcoming release, I’m going to give away an ARC of Taken at Dusk and a Shadow Falls T-shirt. So make sure you leave a post and tell me how you feel about music and how it ties into the books and movies you also enjoy.




C.C.






14 comments:

Quilt Lady said...

Hi Christie, great videos. I have not read your ya books yet but have read your other books and love them. Music is not as big of a part of my life as it used to be. I can remember having songs that reminded me of certain people and if I hear those songs today I will think of that person. I still listen to music in the car and sometimes when I am cleaning house. I can remember a time I didn't do anything without music playing.

Rebekah E. said...

Loved the trailer. Looks like a great book. I love music. Thankfully I have an amazing daughter that is so into music that she keeps me up on all of the new songs. She is always telling when a music artist came out with a new song or if I don't know who sings a certain song all I have to do is ask her. She is my walking music library.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you. I love music, but can't listen to it while writing. Finding a song to fit your story sound's like a great challenge though. Something I will have to think about.

I haven't gotten around to doing video promo's of my books yet.Yours looks really cool.

Congratulations on your upcoming release.

Steve
http://scmitchell.wordpress.com/

Susan M said...

Loved the video and the trailer. Both fit the story exactly. Like you, I can't write and listen to music, but I envy those who can.

traveler said...

the video and trailer were wonderful. Music can be so inspiring and uplifting. I enjoy listening to soundtracks to foreign movies that are memorable. One that is special is Il Postino which transports me to another place.

Unknown said...

I *have* to have music going when I write. Depending on the scene or sequence determines what's being played, but when it's working, the music is an important part of it all! One of the things I love about the program Scrivener is you can build a soundtrack within the manuscript file (using MP3's) and it's all right there when I want it. I've been using that feature for a while now, and cannot imagine working without it!

Loretta Wheeler said...

Good mornin', Christie! I love music and generally have it playing when I'm writing, BUT the music is always without lyrics. Like you, it throws me off when I'm writing if I hear words.

Loved the trailer, gal:) Outstanding!:)

Lo

catslady said...

I think the movies that stay with me the most are partly because of the music - think Titanic. I've never related it to books though. I can't read if there are lyrics to music because I too want to sing along. Classical works the best for me then. The time I listen to music the most now is when I'm cooking. I enjoyed your videos and it would be interesting to compare it with your story.

Sarah S. said...

My favorite part of most movies is what music they are playing. I love to see if I could come up with a better song for that particular scene. Mostly no, but it's amusing to try.

Robin Kaye said...

Love the vids and music--I write with music on mostly, but then if it gets in the way, I turn it off. I usually have a soundtrack for each book and love Pandora because it introduces me to new artists. I'm usually telling my kids about new artists, it's weird but true.

Jane said...

It's always interesting when an author tells you the songs they listened to while writing a particular book. Music is an integral part of movies and I loved the score for the LOTR trilogy.

Christie Craig said...

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the comments. I love reading your thoughts on music.

I know for me, there are some songs that take me back to a certain time in my life. I remember when I was getting a divorce way back in the early eighties, there were a couple of "love gone bad" songs that resonated with me. And to this day, if I hear them, they take me back to that period in my life.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the comments. I love reading your thoughts on music.

I know for me, there are some songs that take me back to a certain time in my life. I remember when I was getting a divorce way back in the early eighties, there were a couple of "love gone bad" songs that resonated with me. And to this day, if I hear them, they take me back to that period in my life.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Kristi said...

Hi Christie! Love the video and I'm all fan girl squeely that book three is coming out so soon.

I love music, but I'd rather be reading and most of the time it just blends into the background and I don't notice it.