Developing a Character with Music
Hello, I’m Lisa Carlisle, author of the Underground Encounters series at Ellora’s Cave. I’m here to talk about how I use music when developing a character. I’ve used the character development worksheets and interviews, but what really helps me picture a character and develop him or her more fully is knowing what kind of music he or she listens to.
For example, in my latest release Fiery Nights, Tristan Stone is a brooding character who avoids people, thinking he is cursed. Already prone to dark moods, he sinks even deeper when he loses Maya, the light to his darkness. In his bleak moment, he listens to what else but Nine Inch Nails. When writing these scenes, I turned out the lights and listened to Something I Can Never Have and Hurt many times to evoke the misery Tristan experienced at her loss.
And then I had to listen to something more upbeat so I wouldn’t sink down into the darkness with him!
Music is a big part of my series since it is set in an underground goth club. So on my Web site I include playlists for each of the books, as well as other playlists that I think readers of my books might enjoy. Check it out and leave a comment if you have others to recommend.
Lisacarlislebooks.com/playlists (check link)
Now I have a question for you. Does knowing what kind of music a character listens to help you envision the character more? Or is it just me? 😉
Here are blurbs for my first two books in the series, Smoldering Nights and Fiery Nights. Books 3 and 4 will be released this year so follow me on your social media of choice to stay tuned. Thanks!
“If you are looking for a short story full of action and passion then pick up Smoldering Nights and get ready to be hooked on the series.” ~ Sizzling Hot Book Reviews.
Fiery Nights
He may own a Goth nightclub, but Tristan Stone avoids people—the darkness that surrounds them drains him. When he sees Maya for the first time, alone on the dance floor, a light surrounds her. He must discover who she is and what gives her power. He wants her, must have her.
Maya sees a man with haunting eyes watching her from the back of the club. She feels their connection, but thinks it’s merely physical attraction. Their passion ignites, overpowering them, and they must work together to understand their connection. The heat of their passion could send their world up in flames.
A Romantica® erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Read an excerpt
Buy Now at Ellora’s Cave
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Smoldering Nights
Nike loves visiting the goth club Vamps—she can exchange her firefighter uniform for a slinky fantasy outfit. There she runs into the man she’d been admiring from afar at a rock climbing gym. He’s been the star of all her fantasies, so is it any wonder they end up in his private room upstairs? Just when things begin to heat up, Michel’s enemies appear.
Only Michel isn’t an ordinary mortal. And someone from his past is on the hunt for vengeance. Michel and Nike are forced on the run and hide out in a coastal cottage in Maine. They can’t resist their attraction and spend the nights exploring each others’ bodies while trying to sort out how they feel about each other. Can they overcome their differences to be together? And how will they evade the predators who are chasing them?
Read an excerpt
Buy now at Ellora’s Cave
Buy now at Amazon
For More on Underground Encounters
For more info on the series, including photos, playlists, reviews, and more, visit www.lisacarlislebooks.com.
