Inpirational Music Monday 6-15-15

Before I get into the nitty gritty here, let me explain what Mondays mean at Nightmares and Chocolate. Besides being the start of most white collar work weeks, Mondays here are for music that inspire you to write. Some of the songs that will be featured may be sad, some happy, some odd. I enjoy a wide range of music, and my tastes will be reflected in these blog posts. I’m not a music expert, but I do love music, and abhor silence. Silence is deadly.

Three Days Grace has a permanent place in my playlists, as you may be able to tell by now. Animal I have Become is another of my personal anthems, but for slightly different reasons than the last song, Pain. I’ve read some opinions that the song is about addiction, but most opinions are centered around the beast we become when we allow anger and rage to take us over.

To me, its the rage. I become someone I’m not when I allow my rage to control my actions. Its almost as if I am sitting in the back seat, looking at everything going on around me through a red shade. It happens just like that, though not often.

But this song is also a shifter song. How often is the animalistic side of a person called a beast? Well, in many shifter stories, rage can bring on a quick shift. I write paranormal, so this song often ends up in my novel playlist. Its perfect also for any fight scene, or as a way to connect with an angry antagonist. Listen to the vid, then take a look at the lyrics below.

"Animal I Have Become"

I can't escape this hell

So many times I've tried

But I'm still caged inside

Somebody get me through this nightmare

I can't control myself

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?

No one will ever change this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal

(This animal, this animal)

I can't escape myself

(I can't escape myself)

So many times I've lied

(So many times I've lied)

But there's still rage inside

Somebody get me through this nightmare

I can't control myself

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?

No one will ever change this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal

Somebody help me through this nightmare

I can't control myself

Somebody wake me from this nightmare

I can't escape this hell

(This animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal)

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?

No one will ever change this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal

(This animal I have become)

Inspirational Music Monday 5-25-15

Before I get into the nitty gritty here, let me explain what Mondays mean here at Nightmares and Chocolate. Besides being the start of most white collar work weeks, Mondays here are for music that inspire you to write. Some of the songs that will be featured may be sad, some happy, some odd. I enjoy a wide range of music, and my tastes will be reflected in these blog posts. I’m not a music expert, but I do love music, and abhor silence. Silence is deadly here.

I blame Sherrilyn Kenyon for my love of this song. Introduced as a theme song for one of her characters, it quickly became my own personal anthem. “Pain, without love.” Story of my life, to be honest.

My characters all have a slice of me, at least the characters I care for, so naturally I use my personal anthem in my playlists. No, I don’t write BDSM because, to be completely honest, I have never had a true BDSM experience. I can’t write it when I don’t know how it is supposed to be done, right? Regardless, this song still sits in my playlist.

The song has a great beat to it, and it energizes and focuses me quite well. I also love the lyrics, as well as the emotion portrayed in the vocals. Over all, this is one of my favorite songs to write to. Watch the vid, then read the lyrics below.

"Pain"

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

You're sick of feeling numb

You're not the only one

I'll take you by the hand

And I'll show you a world that you can understand

This life is filled with hurt

When happiness doesn't work

Trust me and take my hand

When the lights go out you will understand

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Anger and agony

Are better than misery

Trust me I've got a plan

When the lights go off you'll understand

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing

Rather feel pain

I know (I know I know I know)

I know that you're wounded

You know (You know you know you know)

That I'm here to save you

You know (You know you know you know)

I'm always here for you

I know (I know I know I know)

That you'll thank me later

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Rather feel pain than nothing at all

Rather feel pain

Inspirational Music Monday 5-18-15

Before I get into the nitty gritty here, let me explain what Mondays mean here at Nightmares and Chocolate. Besides being the start of most white collar work weeks, Mondays here are for music that inspire you to write. Some of the songs that will be featured may be sad, some happy, some odd. I enjoy a wide range of music, and my tastes will be reflected in these blog posts. I’m not a music expert, but I do love music, and abhor silence. Silence is deadly here.

Besides being a great group to look at, Fall Out Boy has a the honor of owning a few spots on my personal playlist. I have friends to thank for that, there are two who are responsible for me liking the band. But the reason this songs makes my list is for the lyrics.

What are writers? You could easily twist the words in the lyrics to explain all writers. While the song has deeper meaning, I’m looking at the simplistic lyrical wording here. Writers, authors, are arms dealers. We deal in words though, rather than weapons.

Yes, the song is more about tabloids ad the way they love to twist words, but I still love the song. How many authors find a sick and twisted joy in destroying the hopes of fans? “Don’t kill XXX character, please?” Three books later, XXX is killed in a tragic bathroom scene and fans across the world are screaming in agony. This is power here, and something I so desperately hope to wield.

Listen to the video, then check the lyrics below.

"This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race"

I am an arms dealer

Fitting you with weapons in the form of words

And don't really care which side wins

As long as the room keeps singing

That's just the business I'm in, yeah

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

I'm not a shoulder to cry on

But I digress

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

I wrote the gospel on giving up

(You look pretty sinking)

But the real bombshells have already sunk

(Prima donnas of the gutter)

At night we're painting your trash gold while you sleep

Crashing not like hips or hearts,

No, more like p-p-p-parties

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This bandwagon's full

Please, catch another

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

Yeah...

Whoa-oh

All the boys who the dance floor didn't love

And all the girls whose lips couldn't move fast enough

Sing, until your lungs give out

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

(Now you)

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

(Wear out the groove)

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

(Sing out loud)

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

(Oh, oh)

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,

Oh so intricate

Inspirational Music Monday - 5-11-15

Welcome to my newest addition to my wonderful blog here, Inspirational Music Monday. Before I get into the nitty gritty here, let me explain what Mondays mean here at Nightmares and Chocolate. Besides being the start of most white collar work weeks, Mondays here are for music that inspire you to write. Some of the songs that will be featured may be sad, some happy, some odd. I enjoy a wide range of music, and my tastes will be reflected in these blog posts. I’m not a music expert, but I do love music, and abhor silence. Silence is deadly here.

For my historic first Inspirational Music Monday post, I will feature Panic! At The Disco: I Write Sins Not Tragedies. I love this song not just for the video (which is pretty awesome), but also for the varied beats and the lyrics. We are thrust into a wedding where we find out that the bride has one too many secrets. This song alone could be the basis for several different genres of writing.

One could take a horror spin, and have the killer take revenge for the bride’s loose ways. A romance spin could have the bride being forced to the marriage, and pick up as she walks out on the wedding and her family, choosing love. A mystery could add in a blackmail level and open before the wedding, with the wedding itself serving as the climax of the story. I could go on for ages!

This song also sits on my playlist for the Raven’s War series. It reminds me to open those doors and allow those little secrets some freedom to fly. I also, again, love the pace of the song itself. Have a listen to the video, then read the lyrics below. Enjoy!

"I Write Sins Not Tragedies"

Oh,

Well imagine,

As I'm pacing the pews in a church corridor,

And I can't help but to hear,

No, I can't help but to hear an exchanging of words:

"What a beautiful wedding! What a beautiful wedding!" says a bridesmaid to a waiter,

"And, yes, but what a shame, what a shame the poor groom's bride is a whore."

I'd chime in with a

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality.

I'd chime in,

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of...

Well in fact,

Well I'll look at it this way,

I mean technically our marriage is saved

Well this calls for a toast

So, pour the champagne

Oh! Well in fact,

Well I'll look at it this way,

I mean technically our marriage is saved

Well this calls for a toast,

So, pour the champagne, pour the champagne

I'd chime in with a

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality.

I'd chime in,

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality again.

I'd chime in,

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality.

I'd chime in,

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!"

No, it's much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality again.