Cameron Chapman

Music has always been an integral part of my creative process. I’ve gotten more than a few story ideas from song lyrics. And whenever I start on a new project, I come up with a playlist of sorts that I use to get me in the mood to write. Usually, these are the songs I listen to while I’m in the shower (’cause that’s also where I get my best ideas). I’ll listen to the same eight to ten songs for the entire writing and revising process.

The project I’m working on now, The Steam and Steel Chronicles (which is the official name of the series; a big thanks to TL Tyson for her help in brainstorming a name), has a playlist that’s largely made up of Jack White’s various bands, with a bit of Johnny Cash thrown in. I have no idea why these are the songs that stood out for me (other than Hurt, which ties very closely to the second book in the series). But when I hear The White Stripes, or The Raconteurs, I think of Steam and Steel.

Here’s the playlist, in all of its YouTube-y glory:

Jack White is also the inspiration for one of the characters that will first make an appearance in Book Three of Steam and Steel. He’s going to be an awesome character, and will play prominently into the rest of the series. I think he might just turn into one of my favorite characters ever (have I mentioned I tend to form crushes on my male characters? I know that sounds weird to some, but when you spend hours and hours a day for months on end with certain characters, you’re bound to form some strong attachments).

This playlist may have some additions as I move through the series. Book Three starts out in a new setting, adds a new character, and starts to play a bit more into some of the supernatural elements presented in the first two books. The first two books take place mostly in Europe, ending in North America in the second book. The third book starts out in North America (sorry, not getting any more specific than that!). At some point we’ll probably go back to Europe, and maybe elsewhere in the world, too.

How does music play into your own creative process? Do you listen to music while you’re writing, or just to get inspired? Any particular favorites, or do you just listen to whatever happens to be on?

Note: I’m going to be blogging more about The Steam and Steel Chronicles in the coming weeks as I get ready to launch the first book. Book One, Aboard The Unstoppable Aerostat Fenris, will hopefully be released in February, and Book Two, The Great Healion Race, will likely be released in March. I haven’t written Book Three yet, but plan to have that released sometime in the summer. Stay tuned for updates!