Abby asked Kristen Ashley:

Hi Kristen! Since music contributes so much to the atmosphere in your books, I was wondering if you find a song to fit your scenario, or do the songs inspire the scene? Or is it a bit of both? I'm curious because you so often have the PERFECT song to fit your situations. I love the way you incorporate music into your books, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Kristen Ashley I don't think I've ever actively searched for a song to fit a scene. Maybe I have and I don't remember but I don't think so!

It either just "comes to me" as I'm listening to a song or I'll hear a song and write a scene or entire book (seriously, hearing "Say Something" inspired DEACON).

I was in my car while writing ROCK CHICK REVOLUTION and "Tush" came on my shuffle and I actually shouted at my windshield, "Ally is gonna strip to this!"

A song I so wanted to use but never did because it had to fit is "You'll Accomp'ny Me." I heard it just after starting FIRE INSIDE and I could not even believe how perfect it was. It was like it was in the back of my head, creating Hop and Lanie so they could have that song.

Oh wait! I DID actively search for a song. In the first draft of JAGGED, I had Zara and Ham dancing at their wedding to "I Won't Give Up" which is a beautiful song I thought fit...okay. Then I was lying out in the sun with my iPod and "Colder Weather" came on and I was lying there in tears because it was so stinking PERFECT. So I changed it and made that scene perfect.

And with SEBRING, the book I'm writing now, I was out walking and a song came on and I knew how the book would start and that song instantly showed me precisely how the book would end.

I listen to music a lot, a lot, A LOT so this happens constantly :-) And the best part, I get to share both my stories and their soundtracks with you!

So obviously, I'm tickled pink you enjoy the fact that I do.

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