Music. It moves me. Annoys me. Makes me want to get up and dance. Helps me to sleep.
And sometimes it speaks to me–opening the valve and unleashing a river of creativity. When writer’s block hits and I’m stuck, the right kind of music can be a muse of sorts, unlocking scenes which had previously eluded me.
Butterfly Bones was no different. To set the mood of a teenager, I turned to current music, often listening to Breaking Benjamin, Hurt, Flawed, Underwhelmed, Blue October, and a favorite from my teen years, The Cure.
Music is my friend–my co-writer.
Bethany’s “Official” Playlist for Butterfly Bones
After hashing it out, Bethany told me this was her playlist, and she didn’t want a play-by-play for the book, but rather a collection of favorites pulled together from Bethany, her father, Dr. Keatley, and of course, Jeremiah.
Starred songs are directly linked to the book. Song picks rotate in order starting with Bethany, then her dad, and last Jeremiah.
“I couldn’t begin the playlist any other way than with the song that started it all—the song that brought my character to life—CATERPILLAR.” –Bethany Keatley
*Caterpillar – THE CURE –All Mixed Up
She Blinded Me with Science – Thomas Dolby
With You – Underwhelmed
*Timber – Pit Bull and Kei$ha
Silent Lucidity – Queensryche
Curses – Bullet for My Valentine
*Broken – Seether (featuring Amy Lee)
Thunderstruck – AC/DC
Into the Nothing – Breaking Benjamin
*I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townsend
Staring At It – Safety Suit
*Apologize – One Republic
Missing You – John Waite
Lifeline – Papa Roach
Escape – Kongos
*Always Something There to Remind Me – Naked Eyes
Without You – Breaking Benjamin
*Best Day of My Life – American Authors
*Brick in the Wall – Pink Floyd
Country Song – Seether
*Suffocate – Cold
Under Pressure – Queen
One Thing – Filter
*Lights Out – Breaking Benjamin
Forever and Always – Bullet for My Valentine
Dig – Incubus
*Rain – Breaking Benjamin
Our House – Madness
Something in Myself – Underwhelmed
*Sound of Silence – Disturbed
Start Over – No Love Lost
*Something’s Gotta Give – One Republic
*Learning to Fly – Pink Floyd
Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
*Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin
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If you’d like to read or buy Butterfly Bones, here’s the link:
Rebecca Carpenter, copy editor and author 