Book Tour and Guest Post: Denise Tompkins

Today I asked Denise to write about writing and music, and here's her thoughts:


Thank you, Aubrie, for having me on your blog today! I appreciate the opportunity to chat about music and writing, and how the two are so blended for me.

I didn’t start out writing to music. In fact, when I first started Legacy, my debut novel (October 18, 2011, Samhain Publishing), I couldn’t stand any background noise at all. Silence was my companion during the day and into the evening, the tap, tap, tap of my fingers on the keyboard the only sound I heard. It likely would have stayed that way if it wasn’t for a steamy scene in a dragon’s lair that demanded more than silence.

The first half of the novel had gone well—and fast—and I was approaching a scene that made me nervous. I’m not sure why. I’d written sex scenes before, but this felt different, more important maybe. It was a turning point for the two main characters in Legacy, and I wanted to do the scene justice. I don’t know how many false starts I had or how many words I threw away. I cringe to think of it even now. Taking a break from my computer, I was on my way to the kitchen when the distinctly Scottish voice of my hero said, “Ye need music, a mhuirnín. Find something and set the mood for me, would ye?” I giggled a little hysterically. It was the first time a character had invaded my thoughts and spoken to me so directly.

I need a holiday, I thought.

But Bahlin wouldn’t leave me be. He pushed and pushed that afternoon, refusing to come onto the page until I relented. I set up an iTunes account, downloaded some music and glared defiantly at the screen. I distinctly remember saying aloud, “There’s your music. Now what?”

The first song by Halestorm played through and I waited. Closing my eyes, I let the music carry me away. My fingers found the keyboard and Bahlin strolled onto the screen, sexy as hell and fully intent on seducing Maddy, the heroine. The scene wrote itself. I was the physical manifestation necessary to make it happen—hey, someone had to type—but the characters needed little from me. They found their motivation in the music, and I found my muse’s weak spot: epic classical.

I can’t write in silence anymore. Instead, I have a pair of wireless headphones and I slap them on my head every morning (I’m wearing them now) and crank up the volume on whatever music suits the day’s mood. At some point, though, I guarantee you I’ll turn on Two Steps from Hell and listen to Dragon Rider. No writing day is complete without that song.

Music drives me, helps me set the mood for the scene, motivates me to take things up or cool them down, puts words in my characters’ mouths, and generally makes the story come alive for me. If you compare my writing with music to that without, it’s easy to see the difference. Music literally changes my literary voice for the better.

What about you? Does music play a role in your writing? Do you develop playlist for each manuscript? I’d love to hear how you use music to overcome your obstacles, whether in writing, work or life.

Thank you again, Aubrie, for having me. I’ve really enjoyed it!

And now for her new release,



Legacy: The Niteclif Evolutions, Book 1
Author: Denise Tompkins
Genre: Fiction – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Published by: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (October 18, 2011)
Age Recommendation: 18+ For Mature Content & Explicit Sexuality
Format: eBook
ASIN: B005IZUXZE
Number of pages: N/A

Find and follow Denise Tompkins:

Author Website
Author Blog
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook Page

Buy the eBOOK at:

Amazon.com
Amazon.ca – coming soon
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
All Romance – coming soon

Tour courtesy of Nurture Book Tours