the music of 'twelve drummers drumming'

 
Music is an important part of my writing process. Even when the main character’s love interest isn’t the drummer of one of the hottest bands working its way up the charts, like the situation in "Twelve Drummers Drumming," my holiday romantic short in the Merry & Bright anthology (now available!). Music helps me set the tone when I need to get lost in a scene. Part of my planning process involves creating a preliminary playlist, which I add to as inspiration strikes while I write.
While writing this novelette, most of the songs I listened to were ones I imagined Rolling Mountain – Tuck’s band – playing. Or they put me in the mood to tell Autumn and Tuck's story.

"I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons



"After the Storm" by Mumford & Sons 



"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers 



"Stubborn Love" by The Lumineers 



While editing, I listened to “Stubborn Love” and Mumford & Son’s “Hopeless Wanderer” on repeat.



You’ll have to give me a moment to recover. That video still slays me. Can’t. Stop. Won’t. Stop. Laughing.

I also listened to a couple of songs by The Neighbourhood and Maroon 5 while writing this. Maybe that means Rolling Mountain has an alternative undercurrent to its sound. Or maybe they were all over my radio station and Spotify playlist while the story was a work in progress.

"Sweater Weather" by The Neighborhood 



"Daylight" by Maroon 5 



While writing a particularly angst-filled scene with Autumn, I listened to "Just Give Me A Reason" by Pink featuring Nate Ruess, the lead singer of Fun!



Because I’ve want to write more full-length novels about Rolling Mountain, my playlist keeps growing. I’ll be sure to discuss how the songs I listen to change as the band’s story evolves.

Funny, but I didn’t actually listen to any Christmas music while I wrote this, and I love Christmas music..

You can access the full “Twelve Drummers Drumming” playlist on YouTube and Spotify.





About the Book

Sip your eggnog, linger under the mistletoe, and make a Christmas wish. Merry & Bright brings you six tales of Christmas cheer, featuring stories of budding romances, Southern charm, lost loves, heaps of humor, and lots of pie by authors Isabella Louise Anderson, Cindy Arora, Laura Chapman, Lauren Clark, Libby Mercer, and Nancy Scrofano. From sunny Los Angeles to the Rocky Mountains to the Deep South, Merry & Bright will take you on a heartwarming adventure you'll love to visit again and again. Wrap yourself in holiday mirth and prepare to be swept off your feet.

Merry & Bright, featuring "Twelve Drummers Drumming" is available from Simon & Fig. Add to Goodreads. Buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Kobo.


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