Take You To Another World Contest Day #9 – Juliana Stone!
Jun
29
2010

Today’s guest is totally hot momma, Juliana Stone. I heart Jules – she’s funny, smart, loves music as much as I do (and even has her own rock band, hello) and she’s a great writer too. Really, if she wasn’t so totally awesome I’d have to hate her on principle.

I’d like to thank the fab Lauren for inviting me to spend some time here at her blog and help celebrate the release of her latest book, Insatiable. Um, yeah…HAWT COVER ALERT!

Today, I’m gonna talk music. I know Lauren enjoys music of all kinds and for me personally, music is a huge part of my everyday life. But it also plays a big part in my writing life.

Now I can’t listen to music while I write. It would be way too distracting. I’m a singer, so generally music can’t be just in the background. It needs to be up front and in your face and I NEED TO SING ALL OF THE WORDS. Out loud. If it’s a great song, really loud. See how this might screw things up?

But when I want to get into a certain frame of mine, say I’m about to write a very sad or melancholy scene I will listen to a few select songs before writing. Music pulls emotion from me in the same way written words do.

In the last book that I just completed, I had a very sad, heart wrenching scene to write. I’m very much a linear writer. I can’t skip ahead…I need to keep going forth. But when it came to this scene I’d just come back from playing baseball. We’d won and I was in a great mood. Not really the frame of mind needed to write something emotional.

So, pulled up trusty U tube and punched in “The River” by Springsteen. There is one certain live version where Bruce does this long rap about the relationship he had with his father, how it was fragile, broken and yet this man was still his dad and he cared. I listen to him talking and then the lonely wail of his harmonica chimes through and I’m about done. Bubbling, blubbering and sad.

So I listened and I wrote and the scene was awesome!

In honour of Lauren’s contest, I’m going to give away a signed copy of the first book in my Jaguar Warriors series, His Darkest Hunger…I’ll also include a signed cover flat of the second book, His Darkest Embrace. I can’t post the full cover yet, but here’s a sneak peek…

All right, for a chance to win, in the comment section let me know what song tugs at your heartstrings.

The winner will be announced tomorrow at Tracy’s blog!

56 comments to “Take You To Another World Contest Day #9 – Juliana Stone!”

  1. blodeuedd
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:44 am · Link

    As always, a blank brain.
    I am sure there are many songs that tugs on my heartstrings…oh like The Voice sung by Celtic Women, that breaks my soul



  2. Stella (Ex Libris)
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:50 am · Link

    May it Be by Ena is such a haunting, magical song. I know it is cliché but the lyrics of Everything I do, I do it for You coupeld with Bryan Adam’s sexy gruff voice always makes me shiver!

    Thank you!

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com



  3. Lindsey Ekland
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:24 am · Link

    Currently Break Even by the Script holds me everytime I hear it as does Heartbreak Warfare by John Meyer. And I want to cry when I hear the chorus to Airplanes by B.o.B with Hayley Williams “Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky, like shooting stars? I can really use a wish right now, wish right now.” Sad yet hopeful.



  4. Sabrina (about happy books)
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:28 am · Link

    Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield always touches my heart.



  5. Donna
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:39 am · Link

    In an odd way, ‘Woman in Red’ takes me there.



  6. caroline A./ pattepoilue
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:51 am · Link

    Strangely the songs that are the most emotional for me are instrumentals.
    The saddest for me is this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASFFsXL2Iqg. Nine Inch Nail’s Ghost 28
    *teary eyes*



  7. Mary G
    June 29th, 2010 at 5:04 am · Link

    Hi Juliana
    Don’t enter me, just here to pimp your fabulous book.

    My sad song is an oldie. The morning after my younger sister died of cancer, I was going to my apartment to pick up clothes as I was staying with my family. It was the first day of spring & the first nice bright warm day. You could smell that spring smell that tells you know it won’t snow again.

    My sisters boyfriend was driving me & the song Seasons In the Sun (by Terry Jacks)came on the car radio. As soon as we heard:
    “Goodbye my friend, it’s hard to die,
    when all the birds are singing in the sky,
    Now that the spring is in the air.”
    We both starting crying. I honestly don’t know how he drove.

    Good luck with this series Juliana. Can’t wait for the next one.



  8. Diane Sadler
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:08 am · Link

    let me know what song tugs at your heartstrings.
    Everything I Do, I Do It For You from the movie Robin Hood
    I will always love you from the movie The Bodyguard



  9. Caitlin U
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:25 am · Link

    I love ‘Then’ by Brad Paisley and ‘I loved Her First’ by Heart.



  10. Christine
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:43 am · Link

    I love the song that they play in Julie & Julia called Time after Time it’s old song it’s so romantic. They play it at the very end of the movie and it’s just describes their relationship. and every time I watch it and hear it, it makes me tear up.



  11. Lindsay
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:55 am · Link

    Don’t Stop Believing by Journey and Happy Ending by Mika. Those songs always get me!!!



  12. Blanche
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:11 am · Link

    I love music! One of my current favorite songs is Don’t Let It Go To Your Head by Jordin Sparks…..my daughter saw her in concert with the Jonas Brothers and loved her so we hear a lot of her music in the house these days!!



  13. CrystalGB
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:19 am · Link

    It’s Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill always gets to me.



  14. steph j
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:02 am · Link

    I have to say Because you loved me by Celine Dion.



  15. DYRomance
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:08 am · Link

    Love that cover. Me, I never fail to cry when I hear In The Arms of The Angels I think it’s by Melissa Ethridge. I also love Everything I Do by Brian Adams… *sigh* 😆



  16. Lindy
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:20 am · Link

    Lately it’s ‘Lonely Day’ by System Of A Down. 🙂



  17. hales
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:23 am · Link

    The cover is hawt! Seize The Day by Avenged Sevenfold tugs at my heart strings the most 🙂



  18. Linda Henderson
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:41 am · Link

    Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler, it gets me every time. I can still sob my way through the movie Beaches.



  19. elaing8
    June 29th, 2010 at 9:56 am · Link

    for an older song Wind Beneath My Wing by Bette Midler always tugged at the heart strings,that movie was so sad.
    A song I really like now is Perfect from Hedley, it just hits a certain cord with me.



  20. Armenia
    June 29th, 2010 at 10:16 am · Link

    Because you Loved Me by Celine Dion tugs at my heart strings. Every time I hear it I just get teary because I associate it with something very personal that happened in my life.



  21. Midnight
    June 29th, 2010 at 10:31 am · Link

    There’s a couple, but they are always changing, right now is Break Even by the Script and Apologize by One Republic, Rehab by Rihanna, and No Air by Jordin Sparks f/Chris Brown.

    I think the most permanent one would be Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, that one never changes.

    Crazy mix there I know.



  22. Ina
    June 29th, 2010 at 10:55 am · Link

    currently it’s the song “Hey soul sister” *singing*

    Juliana, your books are already on my wishlist and I can’t wait to read them 😀
    wish you all the best, Ina



  23. Lillie A
    June 29th, 2010 at 10:59 am · Link

    Angel by Sarah Mclachlan leaves me a mess every time.



  24. Marlene Breakfield
    June 29th, 2010 at 11:03 am · Link

    The song Angel by Sarah Mclachlan.



  25. Barbara Elness
    June 29th, 2010 at 11:16 am · Link

    Mercy by Duffy. I just love this song and it really speaks to me and makes me want to dance at the same time.
    I also have always teared up at Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven.
    I’d love to win a copy of His Darkest Hunger, ’cause I haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet, even though I’ve been wanting to.



  26. Froggy
    June 29th, 2010 at 11:54 am · Link

    oh Wind beneath my wings…beaches always makes me cry!



  27. Alisha Green
    June 29th, 2010 at 12:54 pm · Link

    I love all types of music and the songs that tug at my heart the most are:

    Let It Be Me – Ray Lamontagne
    These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
    Can You Stand The Rain – Boys to Men (Acapella)
    All I Want – Ahn Trio
    Never Felt This Way – Brian McKnight
    The Prayer – Celine Dion & Josh Groban
    My Immortal – Evanescence

    to name a few.

    😀



  28. Jane
    June 29th, 2010 at 1:21 pm · Link

    U2’s “One” tugs at my heart.



  29. Kris
    June 29th, 2010 at 1:30 pm · Link

    He’s My Son by Mark Schultz makes me cry every time I hear it.



  30. Juliana Stone
    June 29th, 2010 at 2:29 pm · Link

    So many cool songs! I thanks for all the inspiration….a few more I just remembered…
    Travelling soldier by the dixie chicks
    Easy silence by the dixie chicks….
    Why did this happen to me….Simple plan



  31. Virginia C
    June 29th, 2010 at 2:30 pm · Link

    There are a kazillion songs that could be the answer to this question. I’m going with a “golden oldie” that gets better every time I hear it:

    “At This Moment” – Billy Vera & the Beaters

    What did you think I would do at this moment
    When you’re standing before me
    With tears in your eyes
    Trying to tell me that you have found you another
    and you just don’t love me no more

    What did you think I would say at this moment
    When I’m faced with the knowledge
    That you just don’t love me
    Did you think I would curse you
    Or say things to hurt you
    ’cause you just don’t love me no more

    Did you think I could hate you
    Or raise my hands to you
    Now come on you know me too well
    How could I hurt you when darling I love you
    and you know I’d never hurt you-oo-wo-oo-o-o-o…

    What do you think I would give at this moment
    If you’d stay I’d subtract twenty years from my life
    I’d fall down on my knees
    and kiss the ground that you walk on
    If I could just hold you again

    I’d fall down on my knees
    and kiss the ground that you walk on baby
    If I could just hold you
    If I, could just hold you

    If I………
    If I could just hold you
    Again



  32. Heather S
    June 29th, 2010 at 2:31 pm · Link

    Its a Christmas song but every time I hear it it brings a tear to my eye, The Christmas Guest sung by Reba McEntire. Love it.



  33. Estella
    June 29th, 2010 at 2:53 pm · Link

    The Dance by Garth Brooks.



  34. Mary
    June 29th, 2010 at 2:56 pm · Link

    Every single time I hear Travelin Soldier by the Dixie Chicks …it brings tears to my eyes.



  35. Andrea I
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:01 pm · Link

    A lot of songs get to me, but one of my favorite’s is Chris Tomlin’s – Indescribable.



  36. Tracey D
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm · Link

    Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called To Say I Love You” makes me cry. The song is over 20 years old. My grandmother was dying from cancer and we knew her time was short. This song played on the radio ALL THE TIME… and she loved it.



  37. Chelsea B.
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm · Link

    Ohh. There are quite a few. Lets see:
    She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5.
    Sorry by Buckcherry.
    Just a Dream by Cerrie Underwood.
    The Climb by Miley Cyrus.
    Yes, I do have mixed taste. Can’t help it 🙂



  38. Amy Kathryn
    June 29th, 2010 at 3:55 pm · Link

    I Can’t Make You Love Me…the theme song to every unrequited love I have ever known!



  39. Joder
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:11 pm · Link

    A song that always makes me want to cry is DUST IN THE WIND by Kansas. From the violins to the lyrics, it’s just a hauntingly sad song.



  40. Juliana Stone
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:22 pm · Link

    Oh Jesus Chelsea, She will Be Loved by Maroon five…one of my all time faves….and yeah, I get tears……



  41. Sue A.
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:40 pm · Link

    Save The Best For Last by Vanessa Williams

    In keeping with one my favorite story plots – Friends to Lovers.



  42. Casey
    June 29th, 2010 at 4:49 pm · Link

    A lot of songs make me cry. But the number one song would have to be “Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry =(



  43. Rach
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:02 pm · Link

    I have three songs that make me tear up every time, no matter what, when I hear them. When I was a kid my mom was really into Country music, she had this Reba tape (yes, tape. I know, makes me feel old). There was a song titled “Bobby”. The chorus gets me chocked up:
    “Baby, I’ll take care of you, I’ll never let you down
    No harm will ever come to you as long as I’m around
    I am not afraid of what people say or do
    The only thing I fear is being here…without you”
    The other two are Real Life by Jeff Carson. It came out when I was pregnant and it just fit with my life. And Because of You by Kelly Clarkson because the song is so powerful in words, but the subtlety is the music is prefound.



  44. Daniela C.
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:40 pm · Link

    The Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg…I decided to play this for the father-daughter dance at my wedding. Being European, my father didn’t get it but my cousin came to me during the wedding and told me how the song choked him up because it was so very appropriate.
    Just thinking about it chokes me up.
    “I am a living legacy to the leader of the band”

    Another song tugs on my soul is Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten”
    “Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten”



  45. tina
    June 29th, 2010 at 6:58 pm · Link

    Wow lots of songs but the 2 most is the Wind Beneath My Wings (because makes me think of her since she passed away) and The Gift by Aslen Debsin (not sure spelled right) which is a Christmas song about the first nightengale’s song. gives me chills every time



  46. Juliana Stone
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:09 pm · Link

    Another one, Time of your Life…greenday….



  47. Anna Shah Hoque
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:13 pm · Link

    A couple of the songs that always makes me all emotional…
    *The Man Who Can’t Be Moved by The Script
    *Going Under by Evanescence
    *Hero by Mariah Carey
    *Numb by Linkin Park
    *From the Bottom of My Broken Heart by Britney Spears
    *Back at One by Brian McKnight
    *From This Moment On by Shania Twain
    *You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson



  48. JenM
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:22 pm · Link

    The one that gets me every single time is Over the Rainbow – specifically the version sung by the Hawaiian singer Iz (Israel KamakawiwoÊ»ole). This song was used on ER when Dr. Mark Greene died of a brain tumor and forever after, I just burst into tears whenever I hear it.



  49. Fedora
    June 29th, 2010 at 7:57 pm · Link

    Hmm… music can definitely be very emotional! I have to agree with Linda–Wind Beneath My Wings does always make me cry!



  50. Cecile
    June 29th, 2010 at 8:41 pm · Link

    Oh wow… There is a song by Lady Antebellum, Need You Now. That song does me in… and of course a lot more!!! But that is one!
    Thanks for the chance!