There’s nothing like blasting a few head-bobbing tunes on my entertainment system to put me into the proper frame of mind to write a specific scene. Obviously, the music has to match what I’ve deemed to be the appropriate emotional feel for the scene. I’d like to think my stories are richer expressions of the human condition because of it, but I have to admit that it might accomplish nothing more than making it easier for me to write the emotional tone that I want.
            Here is a playlist of the songs I’m using while writing the untitled third book in The Gathering series.
 
 
Robert has been my go-to guy for action. That isn’t going to change. When I write combat scenes I want something with a heavy beat that really makes my pulse race. While not really dark enough for the story in Book 3 I still like I Feel Love by the Blue Man Group and Venus Hum.
 
 
If you’ve been following the series so far then you know Robert is not a muscle-headed action star. He has a romantic side as well. When a scene involves Robert pining over Sierra being so far away I play I Would Walk 500 Miles by the Proclaimers. In this case, both the music and lyrics inspire Robert’s storyline.
 

John hasn’t gone anywhere in Book 3. He’s still in Camp Valiant, dealing with a changing world. The song that inspires me for this storyline takes a familiar song and catapults it into the next century. I have a Mormons in Space story I plan to write—eventually—and this tunes puts into my mind images of ships blasting off and then streaking through space. Ye Elders Of Israel by Vista 4.

Poor Calvin. I have two songs I play for his storylines. Neither of them is meant to put me in a particularly optimistic mood. When I want to represent the vicious nature of politics I play Pressure by Billy Joel.  
 
 
Then when I’m done playing nice with Calvin I put on Twilight Zone by Golden Earring. (If you can find a censored version of the video it really fits the mood of Calvin’s story.)
 
 
When I’m looking to write witty banter between two characters I like to play A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley. Is this faster paced than most of your normal conversations? Not mine. As far as I’m concerned this is what most conversations should feel like—in life and in literature.
 
 
Sarah should have rejoined her family when she had the chance. Now she is stuck in a storyline where Radioactive by Imagine Dragons feels appropriate for what’s happening to her. More than any other song this one best represent Book 3 as a whole.
 
 


It’s important to keep in mind that God is at the center of everything that will happen prior to the Millennium. When I want to add a spiritual element to the story I listen to Rock Of Ages by Jason Waller.
 
For those times when I’ve had enough drama, sorrow, action, and intrigue I take an emotional break from the story and listen to You Can’t Stop The Beat from the Hairspray Soundtrack. A couple of plays of this upbeat song and I’m ready to face the end of the world once again.

            Good news! Book three in The Gathering series is well underway. I am incredibly excited about the storyline. The storyteller in me wants to rattle off all sorts of details about what I have planned for the book, but the logical, seasoned author part of me knows that will just ruin the surprise.
            I guess I’ll have to settle for interviewing one of the characters. It may interest some of you to know that I start a book by writing all of the chapters for the main character. Then I pick another character and write all of their chapters. This helps me keep each individual plotline running smoothly and reduce the number of continuity mistakes.
            Since I’m currently working with Robert I might as well interview him.
 
 
Randy: How are you enjoying the book so far?
 
Robert: You can’t be serious. I mean, have you read any of your books?
 
 
Randy: It isn’t as if I sit at home and read my books in utter admiration of my writing skills, but I do go through them several times as part of the editing process. What’s your point?
 
Robert: My point is that it stinks to be a protagonist in your novels. In the first book you beat me up and broke my ribs. In the second book you blew up the vehicle I was riding in and then shot me. I can only imagine what you plan to do to me in this story. It won’t be pleasant—of that I can be sure. I happened to run into the protagonist from your first book while we were waiting for you to get busy with another story. He told me that in one of the chapters you had him shot and then when he stumbled out to the street to save his granddaughter you ran over him with a van.
 
 
Randy: Point taken. Maybe that wasn’t a great question to start off the interview. Were there any scenes in the series so far that you liked?
 
Robert: I really enjoyed my date with Sierra at the Slab Factory.
 
 
Randy: That’s my favorite scene too. It’s one of only two scenes that made the transition from the original story to the one that was finally accepted by the publisher. At least I made sure the two of you stayed in touch. If you’re not happy with the way I’ve been treating you in the books, what do you suggest? What would you like to see happen?
 
Robert: Oh sure. I tell you and then you do the author equivalent of pulling my chair out from under me as I go to sit. No thank you.
 
 
Randy: I promise not to do that.
 
Robert: Your fingers are crossed.
 
 
Randy: Alright. This time I really promise not to use your answer against you.
 
Robert: Get rid of the plotting notes you’ve already made and turn book three into a romantic-comedy where Sierra and I are married at the end.
 
 
Randy: I like the way you think. The only problem with that idea is that I might start out writing a romantic-comedy, but by chapter four it would turn into a psychological thriller/horror story where Sierra turns out to be an insane assassin on the run from the FBI and ends up killing your entire family so she can have you all to herself.
 
Robert: There is something serious wrong with you.
 
 
Randy: I know.
 
Robert: What if you have Sierra and my family meet me at the airport when I get back home and we all travel to Camp Valiant and ride out the war in an austere, but safe setting?
 
 
Randy: It sounds great—really it does. I just don’t think that’s going to happen. It’s not a very exciting story and I have to keep the readers happy.
 
Robert: I’m starting to think you care about the readers more than you do me.
 
 
Randy: Oh my goodness. Where did the time go? That’s it for today. I’ll go ahead and put Robert back into the character box and get back to writing.
 
Robert: No! I don’t want to go. I . . . mmmphhh, mmpppph!