Welcome to Music Monday! As many of you know, music contributes a great deal to my writing process. Whether it’s a song’s lyrics, beat, rhythm, or tone, I find myself constantly inspired by it.
Have you ever heard a song and thought, “Whoa, this could be my book’s theme song!”? Well, that’s how I feel about Lana Del Rey’s “Dark Paradise”.
I actually laughed when I first heard this song because it sounded exactly like my story’s female protagonist. The words, the voice, the tone, the emotion–everything about it was her.
Since then, I’ve listened to it countless times, and every time, I’m inspired by it. Lana Del Rey has one of those sweet, yet sultry voices that can borderline on eerie, which is perfect for my story.
What I love most about this song is its lyrics. I can’t explain how much they relate to my story. I feel like when I listen to them, I’m actually listening to my protagonist. It’s downright weird.
All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell ’em when you find true love, it lives on
That’s why I stay here
And there’s no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won’t leave my head
Your soul is holding me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead
So, if you’re looking for a haunting song that inspires a wide range of emotions, check out Lana Del Rey’s “Dark Paradise“.
What song(s) are you in love with right now? Which one(s) offer you inspiration? Let me know! I’m always searching for songs that motivate my writing.
Photo credits:
So, last week, I happened to stumble upon the best and eeriest version of “Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping Beauty. It was re-recorded by the talented 
To be honest, I’ve always considered “Once Upon a Dream” silly and cheesy. Hello, it was recorded for a 1959 Disney cartoon. (Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney cartoons, and Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorites). But this updated version is just…creepy. And sad. But, that’s probably because when I listen to it, I’m thinking about my characters. This song seems to taunt them and mock their crazy, messed up lives. And I love it! I find so much inspiration in that mockery…Weird, I know. Maybe even a little mean. But sometimes I need that kind of cruel inspiration. It makes my conflicts and emotions feel truer when I go to translate them to paper.
So here you go! Here is the new (and improved) version of Sleeping Beauty’s “Once Upon a Dream”:
Jen's Pen Den 