Before we get to the playlist that I listened to while writing Shades of Wicked, an important note about the next Ian and Veritas novel. At the back of Shades of Wicked, it says the title of the next Night Rebel book is Wicked Promises. However, between the time that was printed and now, we changed our minds :). The UPDATED title of the second Night Rebel book featuring Ian and Veritas is WICKED BITE. It even has some pre-order pages up so you can bookmark it or pre-order: WICKED BITE on Amazon and WICKED BITE on Apple Books (I’ll update my website as more retailers post links.) No cover yet for WICKED BITE, but I’ll post that as soon as I get the go-ahead, too.
And now, to the playlist for Shades of Wicked! As many of you know, writing to specific music helps put me in the right frame of mind because I’m conditioning myself to write a particular story whenever I hear those particular songs. I’m not saying this works for every writer, but it works for me, so I stick with it. That being said, there’s no hidden meaning for the book in these songs. Some of these are recommendations that you, readers, have given me, so thank you again! Some songs are recent hits, some are very retro, and some are in between. Now, music tastes are as personal as reading tastes, so if you don’t like some of the bands/songs, no problem. Just please don’t tell me that I shouldn’t like them, because if a song/band is listed, then I do and no arguing on your part will change my mind :).
The layout is artist name: songs. Artists are in alphabetical order for ease of listing, but this isn’t the order that I listened to while writing because I’m not that organized, heh.
Bastile: Pompeii, Oblivion
Bon Jovi: Living with the Ghost, Roller Coaster, We Don’t Run
Breaking Benjamin: Psycho, The Dark of You, Torn in Two, Save Yourself
Broods: Evergreen, Everytime
Cage The Elephant: Come a Little Closer
Daughter: Youth
Foo Fighters: Everlong
King & Country: O God Forgive Us
Halsey: Gasoline, Bad at Love, Is There Somewhere
Hozier: Better Love
Imagine Dragons: Whatever It Takes*, Believer
INXS: Don’t Change
The Killers: Read My Mind
Lana Del Ray: Video Games, Lust for Life
Led Zeppelin: Immigrant Song
Little Dragon: Twice
Miley Cyrus: Younger Now, Miss You So Much
Of Monsters and Men: We Sink
One Republic: Let’s Hurt Tonight**
P!nk: What About Us, Barbies, Where We Go, For Now, I Am Here
RAC: Let Go
Sia: The Greatest
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay: Something Just Like This
Goo Goo Dolls: Flood, The Pin, So Alive
The Killers: Read My Mind
Thousand Foot Crutch: So Far Gone
Tom Walker: Leave A Light On
While I listened to all these songs repeatedly (it takes me several months to write a book, so just imagine how many times I listened to them!) the song marked with * is the one I listened to on continuous repeat while writing the first sex scene. And the song marked with ** was the one I listened to on continuous repeat while writing the second sex scene. Take from that what you will ;).
I just finished the first book in the Night Rebel series and it did not disappoint Ian is my favorite character from the Night Huntress series and it was so good I am already counting the days until next July.
I am truly thankful for for your gift of writing it really takes me to another place and I can forget what is going on in my world and focus on another world in the your book or books and I also enjoy the same music! Thanks for sharing your interest I find it truly interesting how it helps to write with your different characters, Thanks again for sharing you gift with us! Friends Connie Pettit
I loved it . Ian was always one of my favorite characters. You did the story justice. Counting days till July.
Thank you!
you really created something amazing between Ian and Veritas. There’s this incredible strength they both have that’s matched by their mutual vulnerabilities…Listening to the music…wow. Really does capture the mood and themes … Especially that One Republic song! I loved this book so much.
Thanks, and so glad you liked the playlist, too!
I loved Ian’s story! I can’t wait until July to read the 2nd book! Man you have me dying to know what happens!
Thank you!
Amazing!!😍😍😍😍love your writing… Ian all the more🤩😘Can’t wait for the next book💕💕
Thank you! Not too long for the next book. Wicked Bite comes out July 30th.
I love the book one of my favorites . Yet still doesn’t give the age Ian was when he was turned 🙁
Such a validation to know there are other writers who have playlists specific to one story. Many of my writer friends tells me they cannot listen to music with lyrics and concentrate on writing.
It gives me a happy thrill to know a writer whose stories I love so much has a similar process to mine.
Ian’s and Veritas’s story was gripping. Waiting is hard to do when the fangirl within wants more *now*.
May the story flow.
Every writer has their own process! Do whatever works best for you :).
Ms Frost I have been enjoying th your books for years now and I must say Wow. I do not have any favorite, all the characters you bring to life has an impact on my life. When work takes me to indifferent levels, I put on one your novels. By doing that my day goes by with calm. Ok I go through laughter, surprise, fear even speaking out loud despite the looks I get (smile). By slipping into their world I get sort of a reprieve from mine lol. Yes I feel that way from time to time. And yes I do read them over and over it does not get old. Thank you.
Something about the Ian / Veritas story has gotten under my skin. It’s scrubbed away some of the blandness that’s haunted me. The playlist also keeps the vibe alive. So Thanks. You and your work is stellar. Can’t wait to read more.