Today author T.G. Ayer joins us to tell us about her debut YA novel, DEAD RADIANCE, and to give us a glimpse into some of the music that inspired her writing. But first, here's a tad about the book...
DEAD RADIANCE - Book 1 in the Valkyrie Novels
For as long as she can recall Bryn Halbrook has seen a golden aura around certain people, and it is only when her new best friend Joshua dies that she understands the glow means death. Bryn struggles to adapt to a new town and a new foster home while trying to deal with the guilt of being unable to save her friend. Until mysterious biker-boy, Aidan Lee arrives.
When Aidan unexpectedly takes off he leaves behind a shattered heart, a tonne of unanswered questions and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn is a Valkyrie. Bryn is faced with questions about Aidan’s real identity, the real reason he came to Craven, and that Odin, Freya and Valhalla just might be real.
As if accepting her new wings, new life and new home in Asgard isn’t difficult enough, Bryn is forced to find and return the precious necklace of the Goddess Freya. The only problem is – if she fails, Aidan will die.
The mystery of a Mythology is easy to enjoy. The reality is much harder to accept.
DEAD RADIANCE excerpt:
“My fingers uncurled their desperate grip on the rose and it fell, tilting, to drop head first onto the casket, twirling as it descended into the eerie depths. It hit the lid and shattered. Petals flew in all directions and everywhere yellow scraps of the dismembered flower reflected Joshua’s iridescent light.”
Guest Post:
Many storytellers use music to inspire their creativity, to support character development through the writing process, to set the mood of a scene allowing the right words to flow. On the other side of the coin are the readers who love to put music to the books they read, to imagine which song would be best for each heartbreak and each triumph their favourite characters experience.
I love to write to music. And I hate to write to music. It pretty much depends on the scene and my mood and probably even the moon - who knows! I use music when I feel the scene or the character needs a bit of backup. I only ever NEED music when I'm in dire need of drowning out the usual household cacophony - that's when LP at full volume works wonders.
So, here it is:
So, here it is:
The PLAYLIST for DEAD RADIANCE
1. Iridescent - Linkin Park
2. Bring Me To Life - Evanescence ft Linkin Park
3. Open up your eyes - Daughtry
5. No ones listening - The Feelers
6. Hometown Glory- Adele
7. My immortal - Evanescence
8. Weak and the wounded - The Feelers
9. No more sorrow - Linkin Park
10. Burning in the skies - Linkin Park
11. Trying to get by - The Feelers
These are the songs and lyrics that inspired scenes from Dead Radiance. Often I’d find the words don’t penetrate the writing haze, but just sometimes, when they do, it impacts on the scene in a very profound way. And I don’t necessarily need to listen to melancholy music for my sad scenes, not do I need the full on rock for the action. All the songs have a reason and together they create the musical backdrop for Bryn and Aidans struggles.
If you want to pick up your copy of Dead Radiance, check it out on Amazon. Or, you can follow T.G. around to her blog.
Author Bio:
I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each others loves – it works wonderfully…My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain crosseyed.
2 comments:
Book sounds great and the author has an interesting story.
I've seen a few authors putting together playlists for their novels. I sometimes wish I could handle listening to songs with words when I write. But I'm so quick to get distracted and start singing lyrics.
That sounds like a great playlist and a powerful novel.
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