I am one of those authors who needs music while writing. My general mood music is a personalized station on Pandora with an eclectic mix of alternative. Some songs have linked themselves in my head to specific projects, which I’ve shared below. The entire set of lyrics is not a literal interpretation of a story. Sometimes it’s just a phrase or two, or even just the theme and tone of the song. Song titles link out to the official music videos on YouTube.

BOOK/STORY THEME SONGS

“Untitled” (Steel Forged #1): “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon

“Thicker Than Blood” (Steel Forged #2): “Uprising” by Muse

“Children at Play” (Steel Forged #3): “Hey Brother” by Avicii

STEEL VICTORY: “Pompeii” by Bastille

STEEL MAGIC: “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance

“Untitled” (a coda to STEEL MAGIC): “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots

STEEL BLOOD: “2 Heads” by Coleman Hell

“Untitled” (a coda to STEEL BLOOD):“Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

STEEL TIME: “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy

STEEL SHADOWS: “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

OTHER THEME SONGS

Kane and Archer’s Theme: “Fire and the Flood” by Vance Joy

Toria and [*]’s Theme: “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

*Information redacted in order to avoid spoilers.