The first thing I do when starting a new story (as I have done this week) is to procrastinate by making a playlist. I’m sure I could write in silence, but I wouldn’t want to. The songs I pick are ones that relate to the characters and the story, or are just some of my latest favorites. So without further ado, here is the playlist for the novel I’m working on now:

Green Eyes by Coldplay. I wrote The Rogue and The Rival almost entirely to Coldplay, and this song in particular got me started every morning. No one in the novel has green eyes. Go figure.

Into The Groove by Madonna, for days when I’m off to a slow start and need to dance around my apartment to wake myself up.

Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift. Regency translation: Teardrops On My Pianoforte. Good for writing scenes o’ longing.

Take On Me by A-Ha
All At Once by The Fray
(You Want To) Make A Memory by Bon Jovi
I Like You by Morrissey

She Let Herself Go and How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls by George Strait. There probably weren’t any cowgirls galloping through the streets of Regency London, but the spirit of these songs definitely translates to romance novel heroines—tough and loving all once.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by the Propellerheads because my new project is about two spies. A very cool, but very long, track.
Soon As You Can by Dierks Bentley. This song is perfect for the scenes when the hero and heroine come to their senses just after the Big Black Moment when all seems lost. We all know that scene is usually followed by a sex scene, so then it’s onto his song Come A Little Closer.

Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban. This is the one to write all epilogues to.