Anyone who knows my writing process knows that I can’t write a word without listening to music. I create soundtracks for each of my books, sometimes cobbled together from whatever I like at the moment and sometimes crafted to evoke a certain mood.
Starlight, the second of my Christies series of Victorian romances from Pocket, was an oddball in my music/writing experience. I started with random tunes: Evanescence, Cat Power, Bat for Lashes, Muse, Florence + the Machine. But nothing felt genuine. I actually got a bit blocked. Victorian Scotland was waiting for me…and I couldn’t feel it!
I needed songs from the north, songs from the cold, songs that evoked the mixed emotions of life in a tightly-knit community. Happiness about the little things. Sadness about chances missed. Two shots of happy, one shot of sad. And because the heroine, Polly Gowan, is a weaver in 1880s Glasgow—when Victorian shipbuilding was king—I needed the melancholy of opportunities having passed people by.
Where better to look than to my husband’s music collection? He’s English. He grew up in the early 80s. The British economy was downsizing heavy industry and mining, much like the “rustbelt” effect in the United States. Key among his recommendations were Big Country and Simple Minds. Both bands were Scottish at a time when being Scottish was not celebrated or valued. In every song, frustration is tempered by hope.
I’ve been a huge U2 fan for decades, so I threw in a few of their lesser known album tracks, too. In particular, “Red Hill Mining Town” speaks volumes. It is the heart and soul of Starlight—having one person’s hand to hold and knowing that love will be enough.
“How do you do it, Polly?”
“Do what?”
“Keep your spirits up.” He touched her cheek, where loose curls tickled and teased. “How have you managed to survive here? It’s dirty and poor and violent. Yet, you keep smiling. How?”
She grew quiet, making Alex wonder if he’d stepped past some invisible boundary. But she was still Polly, and that meant taking him by surprise.
“You want to know the secret?”
“Is there one?”
“Of course. Otherwise I’d have gone mad a long time ago.” She rested their twined hands together and exhaled. “You make shields. A half dozen or so. You stake them all around, all overlapped to keep out the pain and disappointment. But you leave a tiny crack, right in the front. That’s for letting the happiness in.”
Because of the truer, more genuine playlist I eventually assembled, Starlight is a book about what happens when you’re brave enough to let the happiness in.
What’s next for me:
After RT BookReviews 4½ Star Top Pick Starlight hits the shelves, I’ll be looking forward to the release of His Very Own Girl, a historical romance set in World War II. It’s not women’s fiction. It’s not literary fiction. It’s a genuine romance, complete with sexy times and a happy ending. Look for it September 4th as a Pocket Star digital original novel. I cannot wait to see how readers respond!
I’ll also be launching a new co-written pseudonym, Katie Porter, with my long-time friend and critique partner, Lorelie Brown. Our “Vegas Top Guns” series of contemporary erotic romances will launch from Samhain on July 31 with the release of Double Down, which is also a RT BookReviews 4½ Star Top Pick. Two more from the series, Inside Bet and Hold’em, will follow in August and September. You can learn more about these and future books at our website.
You can find me at my website and at Twitter: @carrielofty.
I’d like to give away a copy of Starlight, and I’ll ship anywhere. Just answer the question: Do you have any favorite songs or bands from Scotland? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
Thanks again to the Good, the Bad and the Unread for having me!
Congratulations on the new release. I’m afraid I don’t listen to Scottish bands/music. I tend to only listen to pop rock or the occasional broadway song.
The only Scottish bands I can think of off the top of my head would be The Proclaimers, Bay City Rollers, and Average White Band. I’m pretty sure if you looked them up you’ll recognize some of the songs they’ve played.
I like the all male a cappella group “The Other Guys”. Thier “Royal Romance” done to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” is a hoot.
Hi Carrie!
If you had asked me this question back in the middle 1990’s I would have been able to list a lot of different bands and singers but that was when my sons were in High School and in to all types of different music!
Unfortunately for my husband I went to college in the 1960’s in Arizona and became a country fan! Before that there was Elvis and the Beatles. I do listen to the radio all the time (my husband blames the high electric bill on my love of having music playing) but now I couldn’t tell you a bands’ name much less what their latest release is!
My husband and I had the delight of visiting Scotland when I qualified for 2 round trip airfares and hotel rooms from my job. We picked Scotland and fell in love with bag pipes playing! Two years later my younger son went to college at The Citadel in South Carolina. He used to kid me that the only reason we drove down to see him from New England was because we used to love listening the the bag pipes playing at the parade!
What I can tell you is I love your writing style and can’t wait to read Starlight!
Music plays a big part in my life. I’m always listening to it and often I like using songs to help me connect with stories even more. I’m not sure if I do have a favorite band from Scotland. There may be a band or two but I can’t say they’re definitely Scottish.
Hi Carrie! I’m deaf so I don’t know music but do love to feel it sometimes. I remember when dating with hubby who was hard of hearing and loved Fleetwood Mac. So I loved feeling that type that was a comforting feel with the voice (no words I could hear) and the feel of them. Especially the song “Landslide”
I am elated too on your ebook and too your Samhain along with STARLIGHT. I was just reading the excerpts and reviews here and can’t put into words how excited I am this is out! I’ve been following your books since the SUNDIAL, one of the Garden Gate’s books you wrote in ebook, and all since! Thrilled for you with your books all coming from NY pub. Huge congrats!
Would love to be in for STARLIGHT!
cathiecaffey @ gmail . com
At first, I thought easy question because I listen to a lot of music from the UK but then I realized most of them are from England. lol The only Scottish band I can remember right now which I love listening to is Snowpatrol. They have some great emotional songs.
I don’t know a lot of Scottish bands so I will pick Simple Minds Don’t You Forget About Me.