#blame hozier for this goodnight

[blue-uppercase]

Oh Gideon and Kremy.. would they only notice how close they were if there was absence ? If one of them got taken from the other and suddenly the one left behind no longer had the same scent? What happens when you are so close to someone, that you don't realize their presence made you who you are

[orally-herring]

Song Lyric Prompts

From: Creative Prompts for Writing Found: Here and Here

These will not be based on the songs, but whatever the lyric pops into my head at the time of writing it. I could be completely off base from what the song actually represents, but that's not the point of it.

Softly we tremble tonight - Cat and Mouse, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus We’re so happy (we could die) - Blood & Glitter, Lord of the Lost There′s no remedy for memory - Dark Paradise, Lana del Rey Love is the warmest colour - Nara, alt-J We gotta stop pretending who we are - Don’t speak, No Doubt A force more powerful than gravity - Satellite, Lena Meyer-Landrut They turned to dust (all that I adored) - Things we lost in the fire, Bastille Lose all sense of time - Coastline, Hollow Caves Sometimes quiet is violent - Car Radio, Twenty One Pilots I′ll show you mine (if you show me yours first) - Swing Life Away, Rise Against So beautiful and wild - Tonight, Reamonn See your face lit by starlight - Colorado Sunrise, 3OH!3 Misunderstandings and words unspoken - Don’t waste my time, Victor Lundberg When we stole the night - Another heart calls, The All-American Rejects The way that we love (like it’s forever) - Happy Ending, Mika But it’s home to me - Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day Like memories of dying days - Savior, Rise Against Electricity between both of us - Landfill, Daughter I slept in last night’s clothes and tomorrow′s dreams - Uma Thurman, Fall Out Boy There’ll be a riot (cause I know you) - Robbers, The 1975 All of your flaws and all of my flaws - Flaws, Bastille Crossing all the lines - Girls Like Girls, Hayley Kiyoko Misery’s your master - She’s the blade, Sugarcult But we go where we want to - Lane Boy, Twenty One Pilots Between the lines of fear and blame - How to save a life, The Fray There’s a heavy cloud inside my head - Lemon Tree, Fool’s Garden A very common crisis - Fluorescent Adolescent, Arctic Monkeys Turn the light out, say goodnight - Fake Empire, The National Let′s write a song that we can dance to - Jersey, Mayday Parade There′s strangers everywhere - This isn’t everything you are, Snow Patrol I can’t steal you (like you stole me) - You, The Pretty Reckless Spinning all these stories - Skinny Bitch, Lena Meyer-Landrut It’s just another rainy Sunday afternoon - Lemon Tree, Fool’s Garden When I watch the world burn (all I think about is you) - Doom Days, Bastille Let’s compare scars (I′ll tell you whose is worse) - Swing Life Away, Rise Against Sunsets and silhouette dreams - You be the anchor […], Mayday Parade Who could deny these butterflies? - Remembering Sunday, All Time Low As we say our long goodbyes - Run, Snow Patrol Naked bodies look like porcelain - Love, Daughter I wish you were a stranger - Over my head (Cable Car), The Fray Send my regards to hell - Blame, Bastille We do fall before we rise - Blood & Glitter, Lord of the Lost Our hearts beat (control them) - In spirit golden, I Blame Coco Admiring from afar - we fell in love in october, girl in red The safest place to hide - MakeDamnSure, Taking Back Sunday I am my own worst enemy - The Consequence, You Me At Six My lover and my best friend - Rehab, Rihanna It’s a sign that someone loves you - Don’t swallow the cap, The National There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin - Take me to church, Hozier The wonderful mess that we made - Flaws, Bastille Drink the poison lightly - I’m not the one, 3OH!3 Saving life in the dark - Believe, Yellowcard To warm the cold side of the pillow - Hunger of the Pine, alt-J I’d probably still adore you - 505, Arctic Monkeys You killed me with your smile - Tonight, Reamonn Mistaken for strangers by your own friends - Mistaken for strangers, The National Three whole words and eight letters late - Fireworks, You Me At Six You say you love me and you roll your eyes - Everyway that I can, Sertab Erener I’m so surprised you want to dance with me now - Pink Rabbits, The National To distract our hearts from ever missing them - Youth, Daughter

[practicecourts]

love your Mamma mia obsession @abihastastybeans

I've discovered spotify indeed has an on repeat playlist... Unsurprisingly there were a few songs I've had on on repeat while writing... @jamesunderwater I blame you for the fact Frozen Do you want to build a snowman ? is on it at all.. Here's the result:

Devil's Backbone - The Civil Wars

I saw her standing there - The Beatles

Anyone for you (Tiger Lily) George Ezra

Now and Then - the Beatles

Fire - Etta James

Little Things - 1 Direction

Goodnight Moon - Shivaree

Underneath your clothes - Shakira

Don't blame me - Taylor Swift

Take me to church - Hozier

I'll tag @velvethopewrites ;-) and anyone else who would like to do this.

Tag game

Tagged by @bronzeagepizzeria (Niyati hiiii long time no see! I hope life's been treating you kinder \o/)

Rules: Shuffle your on repeat playlist and post the first 10 tracks, then tag ten people.

Do I wanna know? - Arctic Monkeys

Baba O'Riley - The Who

Numb - Linkin Park

Hey Brother - Avicii

Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard

Money, Money, Money - ABBA

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - the Mammamia! cast

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

I have a dream - again, from the Mammamia movie

I'm going to tag a bunch of y'all even though I know some of you don't use Spotify xD

@annasghosts @kay-elle-cee @charmsandtealeaves @annabtg @jamesunderwater @practicecourts @siriuslychessi @nodirectionhome-ao3 @thecasualauthor18 @chierafied

[kittyluvr333]

*spoiler for “they both die at the end”*

just thinking about how they never really got to say goodbye.

just thinking about how in the beginning mateo said he was raised in his home and would die in his home.

just thinking about how he knew the stove was broken.

just thinking about how rufus died listening to mateo singing to him.

just thinking about how finding each, indeed did kill them.

just thinking about how so many songs fit them- so well (ribs by lorde, “you’re the only friend i need”, like real people do by hozier, kiss goodnight by idkhbtfm, carry me out, burning hill, pink in the night, francis forever, your best american girl- anything by mitski, two ghosts- harry styles, etc.).

just thinking about how mateo probably thought his father wouldn’t love him the same or lidia either if they knew who he loved so he neglected that feeling.

just thinking about the part where rufus holds mateo’s hand before jumping.

just thinking about how rufus was the reason mateo lived so long that day and mateo was the reason he died so shortly after he did.

just thinking about how no one could tell the pluto’s rufus had died, they just kind of assumed the next day i guess.

just thinking about how rufus was left behind again but he probably thought he was the one who left mateo.

just thinking about how rufus probably blamed himself for not getting up earlier, thinking he could’ve saved mateo.

just thinking about how rufus lied to the ambulance and said mateo never got the call.

just thinking about how all the stories connect.

just thinking, just thinking, just thinking.

[fics-not-tragedies]

In a Week: Chapter 16 🌲

Words: 3492; Warnings: none; Summary: The morning after is filled with realizations they both were scared of.

Hozier tag list:

@letoursilencebreaktonight​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​; @angelpeachamber​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​; @sgt-morgan​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​; @julessbrown​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​;

Tuesday, 11:05am

When Andrew woke up the next morning he had no solid plan, no grasp on reality - all he knew was that his head hurt indubitably and that somewhere among everything else that had happened before he passed out half dressed in his bed - he kissed Flo.

His mouth was dry, hair a complete mess and though he didn’t recall working his way through the mini-bar at first, the collection of empty bottles on the bedside table were enough to jog the memory. It took an unbearable amount of effort to slot the events of the night before into place, but when he finally put it all into perspective, he was reeling. He squeezed his eyes shut as he rolled over in the bed, refusing to lay and wallow for too long. Andrew groaned as he stood, looking everywhere for his cigarettes, patting his coat furiously and almost throwing it across the room when he at first couldn’t find them. Finally lighting up on the balcony, he scraped his dirty hair back and tried to work out his next move, taking several deep drags whilst he agonized over how he was going to move on.

He recalled how, in the afterglow of the kiss, he held her for a while, let her lean into his palm, brushed over her hair like he was saying goodbye to it. Andrew felt wholly responsible - had tried to be smart and make rational decisions. He told himself before he could give in again, that the kiss was only going to be a kiss and that they had to ignore their need out of respect for each other and the mirage of the perfect week.

“Maybe we should get some sleep, love… It’s been a long day…”

At the time he convinced himself he was doing the right thing, but the second he let go of her, the air felt thick, something felt wrong. It was how hurt she looked when he pulled away from her. How she flinched when he tried to comfort her. He could distinctly remember the awkwardness, how she pressed herself against the opposite wall of the elevator to stay away from him, how she could barely look at him. It broke his heart to walk her to her hotel room door and say goodnight with nothing, but a forced smile. And now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he fucked up, that he read the signs wrong and that she was currently regretting even giving him the chance.

But among all the fragmented pictures he flicked through in his head, there was also an impending sense of good. Andrew couldn’t ignore how right it had been in that brief moment when time had stopped moving, when the desire outweighed the consequences. He could still remember how gorgeous she looked under the lights, her barefooted dancing around him, how real and youthful her giggle had been and how she literally taken his breath away when she kissed him, how sweet she tasted, how soft her lips had been.

She kissed him back and he was sure of that, knew the way she moved her lips against his was out of as much need as he had. But even if it all worked out on Monday’s night he’d be back into his reality.

Once the cigarette had burnt down to a nub, he wasted no time in crushing it, throwing himself into the shower, scrubbing at his face violently with his hands to wake himself up then patting himself dry. He smothered himself in cologne. His eyes were visibly red and he couldn’t stop yawning as he raked his hands back through his damp hair, no intention of taming it today. Andrew didn’t pay attention to his clothes like he usually would’ve, too worked up to put off seeing her any longer, just grabbed the first thing he found, some fading black jeans and a jeans shirt. He struggled to button it properly at first, fingers shaking out of nervousness, but grabbed his old jacket and threw it over the top as he rushed out of the door.

Tuesday, 11:25am

Once he sailed down to the ground floor, he was out of the lift with a start. His shoes echoed on the hard, shiny floor as he darted down the corridor and through the lobby. He drew attention to himself as always, whether that was the bad or good kind, but he barely noticed, ignored every other person on his journey to the restaurant, just praying she’ll be already waiting for him. His heart almost stopped when he considered her having left already, no idea what he’d do or how he’d handle it if she wasn’t patiently waiting for him. He didn’t even have her number.

Realizing how bad he was shaking, he considered another cigarette twice, but ignored the craving, feeling more desperate for her in ways he couldn’t justify. As he finally turned the corner through the doors into the grand restaurant, he laid eyes on her and felt everything shift suddenly inside him.

Flo was sat at the same table they shared breakfast at the day before, looking like a forties movie star. She wasn’t wearing much makeup, her cheeks were naturally flushed on their own, but Andrew couldn’t help but think of her as effortlessly sublime in even the tiniest of her movements, watching her inhale a cup of tea. Her shiny, straw hair fell over her shoulders, lighter than ever and she was resting her head on her left palm as she flicked through the book she was reading. Her eyebrows were arched in a way that suggested she was tired, or that her head was aching, struggling to keep her eyes completely focused. She was wearing a dress, something in a navy blue, a little exception for the black ones she wore previously, with buttons down the front and her shoulders were exposed, showing off that perfect pale skin he dreamt about.

He was lost again, so lost in fact he didn’t hear the waiter ask which table he’d like.

Needing to push himself forward, Andrew took a deep breath and turned on his heel, now walking with an exact purpose towards her, the same way she walked to him at breakfast the day before. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her until he reached the table, stopping dead behind the chair like he’d been struck with an immediate panic.

Tuesday, 11:30am

She hadn’t seen him enter, didn’t have time to prepare, but when Flo looked up, her lips parted. From the moment their eyes met, she hated how much it hurt to look at him. Her head felt foggier than ever, her Hozier Byrne hangover only accentuated by how good he looked right now. She couldn’t believe the audacity he had to look that good. It was like she was already drinking again, like she was always drunk when he was close to her and she fought the temptation to groan.

She tossed and turned in the night, worried about what she’d say when she saw him again, wondering how awkward it’d be now that the tension had been truly shattered. She was sure he seemed full of regret once he kissed her, could see through his fake smiles, could read his body language as plainly as it was. And when she closed her door on him, she told herself they made a dreadful mistake and had fucked up everything they built over the last few days. Once down in the restaurant, she was sure he wouldn’t even come, with so much unsaid and so much to work through. She told herself she’d forget about him.

But with him standing here now, the pent up energy flowing from him in waves, remembering exactly how it felt to kiss him - it made her want to forget the forgetting.

She hadn’t quite prepared herself for the way he was looking at her now. His muddy green eyes were so wide, she was worried he’d pass out from the intensity of his stare. His face was far from relaxed, angry about something, confused maybe, his forehead and nose wrinkling, but his hair was the opposite completely unsettled, those soft curls falling around his head. She hated herself for how much she wanted him. Hated herself for how he was driving her insane. Hated herself for letting him buy her another Malibu that night. Hated how good he was looking now. Hated how badly she wanted to kiss him again. Hated how she had nothing to say.

“Flo, I’m so sorry…” he announced before she could, his voice considerably weaker than he intended it to be.

“Huh?” Came her reply after a moment, barely blinking. His hands wrapped around the chair in clenched fists, his knuckles turning white.

“I’m so fucking sorry” he repeated, keeping his eyes locked on hers.

“Andy…” Flo mumbled, her voice a little scratchy, “What are you…”

“I know I shouldn’t have kissed you and I know it was so wrong…”

“Andy… I-”

“No, just let me finish speaking, Flo, please…” he grumbled, holding one hand up to silence her, swallowing hard, “I think that maybe, em, I overstepped a line, because we both know that, em, this wasn’t how it’s supposed to be… but like… I got carried away and, em, I’m not gonna blame it on me drinking, because that’s not why it happened… I just didn’t mean to make you feel awkward, Flo… em, didn’t mean to hurt you or…” his voice began to trail off due to a lack of preparation. He made a noise that sounded desperate and confused, scratching at his head with bewilderment. Noticing how hard he was trying and not wanting him to feel bad for a second longer, she quickly put him out of his misery.

“Andrew…” she sighed, closing her book, “Sit down with me, please…”

He nodded thankfully and drew the chair back, the dragging noise making him cough out of awkwardness and then once he’d taken off his jacket, he sat down, shuffling the chair back towards her and close to the table.

Tuesday, 11:35am

Flo watched him for a moment, could see how much tension he was holding in his frame, how puffed out his chest was. She knew better than to pull him up on it, knew it’d make him retreat even further into himself and so she considered her words carefully, taking another mouthful of hot tea and swallowing as she bought herself some time.

“Are you forgetting that I kissed you back?” She uttered at last, head cocked to the side slightly, folding her hands in front of her delicately.

“Em… what do you mean?”

“You’re right, Andrew…” she huffed, like it took some effort to admit, “it was wrong.”

“I’m so sorry, Flo, I…”

She held up her hand to allow him to let her finish, cleared her throat and continued speaking.

“And we shouldn’t have been so reckless and… we probably shouldn’t… let it happen again.”

He felt his heart sink a little, but waved it off, just thankful she was even speaking to him. At the silence, Andrew nodded slowly back at her, licking his lips, so confused by what was right, what was wrong. He bowed his head, trying to craft a sensible response, but she wasn’t finished yet.

“But you didn’t overstep any line… because I wanted you.”

He lifted his eye line to hers once more, so hung on everything she was saying, wracked with internal conflict.

“I kissed you back because I wanted to. So, you are not taking the blame for this” Flo shrugged, smoothed her fingers over her hair and smiled as genuinely as she could, satisfied with the way she conducted herself.

“You wanted to kiss me?” He said at last, processing it, rethinking it over and over again as he spoke.

“Of course I did…” she sighed, frustrated as she toyed with the idea again.

“Because, em, you were drunk?”

“No, because it was in the heat of the moment” Flo lean forward, dropping her voice to a subtle whisper, raising her eyebrows at him teasingly, “And because you’re actually rather handsome, Andrew…” he smiled bashfully at her attempt to cheer him up, her efforts to reinstate the flirtatious batter they’d picked up so quickly, “but we can’t… go there…” she added.

“I know, I-I know…” he agreed reluctantly, “we don’t want to complicate, em, this…” Andrew chewed on the corner of his lip, suddenly hungry and desperate to drown his sorrows in food, “Have you eaten breakfast?” He grumbled.

Flo laughed and shook her head.

“I was just about to order. I waited for you as long as I could, but my tummy is rumbling like crazy.”

“Okay, great, let’s eat” he decided, clapping his hands together and grabbing a spare menu from the empty table beside him.

“Mmmm… I love brunch…” she cooed, already skimming the menu in her hands.

“Yes, brunch” he mumbled, “Who came up with it?”

“Who came up with brunch? Probably somebody like you, incapable of dealing with a hangover and needing an excuse to lay in and then eat a ton.”

Andrew laughed at her response, scratching his nose.

Tuesday, 11:40am

“Eggs Benedict, please…” she said to the waiter who had promptly arrived at their table.

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll have the, em, french toast, please… and two black coffees”

“Two black coffees?”

“Yes, two, in separate cups if you can…”

The waiter raised his eyebrows at Andrew, then promptly headed to the kitchen to place their orders.

“So, are you somehow mad at me?” He asked as he turned his attention back to her. As reassuring as she had been, he was still paranoid, still worried about how last night had affected their relationship.

“Why would I be mad at you?” She countered, raising her drink to her lips, but keeping her eyes locked on his.

“For ruining your week.”

“It’s not my week and you haven’t ruined anything” she assured him. She thought about taking his hand again just to ease his insecurity, couldn’t handle his pouting, but decided firmly against it. Flo grimaced, she was making a habit of touching him at the table and it was too soon for that again already. “Maybe we just had to get it out of our systems? Like not being allowed to have something you want makes you want it more, right?”

“Yes” he replied with a shrug, “I guess that really makes sense” a pause, “it was great though, weren’t it?” He chuckled, teasing her but only a little.

“What was great?” She replied, barely looking up from her drink.

“Kissing.”

Flo sighed and for a moment he was worried he pissed her off for good, but her lips pulled quickly into that smirk that killed him, a tease no doubt on the tip of her tongue.

“Did you doubt that I was a good kisser, Andrew?”

He scratched his neck and swallowed hard.

“Nah, I knew it, you just, em, exceeded my own expectations…”

They both laughed and it temporarily eased them both.

“But we can’t… just…” she made a vague gesture to the two of them with her hands.

“I know that already, Flo, so, em, don’t worry…”

Tuesday, 11:45am

Andrew piled a tiny mountain of french toast and demolished it with his mouth, chewing in delight at the great meal. Flo poked at her eggs and watched them ooze over the plate, much slower and delicate as she lifted her fork.

“Okay” he mumbled after only a few mouthfuls, his voice slightly muffled as he patted his lips with a napkin, “So, em, here’s what I’m proposing…”

“You’re proposing?” She giggled, covering her mouth in mock shock, “After one kiss? Damn I must be good” she wiggled her eyebrows at him, tucking into another mouthful of her food.

“Just, Flo… shut your pretty mouth for few seconds, please? Lemme finish.”

“Alright.”

“When are you leaving?”

Flo paused to think.

“Need to be checked out of my room by three on Monday afternoon” she said plainly, the truth sending a jolt of panic through her.

“Then I’m proposing…” he coughed, “that we just forget what happened on, em, that damned roof and make the most of today, em, and the rest of the week…”

He pushed the hair that was falling into his eyes out of the way and crossed his arms in front of him triumphantly, his biceps bulging in the shirt he was wearing, “If you want we can pretend nothing ever happened, em, between us…”

Flo wasn’t sure where to look. She eventually settled on his eyes, the softness she found there making her breath hitch in her throat nonetheless.

“Thank you, Andrew…”

Tuesday, 11:55am

Finished with food and having downed more coffee than humanly possible, they stood from the table in sync, their smiles only a little forced. Flo considered the fact that she never get to see him over her morning tea again when Monday’s morning comes. Or much rather she’d never see him again at all. There was a pinching sense of familiarity and routine to sharing all her meals with him, it was a comfort.

Andrew shrugged back into his jacket even though the weather outside was definitely too hot for anything more than a shirt sleeved shirt and short pants.

“What are you about?” He drawled suddenly, struggling to keep his distance from her as they walked together back into the corridor, so much of her skin exposed to him in her dress.

“Nothing…” she mumbled, waving him off.

“Don’t lie, to me, please, Flo” he commanded, his hand finding the curve of her waist naturally, “I know when your mind is off and filled with dreadful thoughts…”

She turned into him with a sigh. He was even prettier up close, his lips still chapped, but this trimmed beard and ridiculous curls, plus how tall he was, enough to make him completely irresistible. She held her breath, tried not to show her weakness, but it was impossible. Her body seemed to gravitate towards him no matter what she did, her hands inching closer to holding him in every second she spent speechless.

“Flo?”

“Andy?”

“We really are okay, right?”

Every inch of his face triggered a different memory from the past two days - the adventures and the laughing, and the moments they were so close to each other.

“Yeah, we’re okay.”

There were so many stories he’d told her and she wanted to hear more, wanted to find out about his music, hear some of his songs. She wanted the time to thank him for reminding her who she was, for giving her the not so gentle nudge in a slightly brighter direction. But she still didn’t changed her mind. She wanted the chance to dance with him again, wanted to sway against him until time was up.

“We don’t have long left together. I’m just thinking about that.”

“It’s still more than five days, Flo… don’t think about it…” he sighed, flinching a little, “we have some time.”

But I don’t have much time left, Andy.

She nodded, looking away from him. He tried his best to resist her it but was too hard, his hands slotting right back on her cheeks to direct her gaze to him. He was so close he could’ve kissed her, wanted to kiss her, but it wasn’t right.

It’s not right. It’s not right.

“I’m not ready to say goodbye to you, Mister Hozier Byrne.”

He brushed her cheekbones with his thumbs affectionately, weak for her again. She smelt like vanilla and some sort of flower he couldn’t quite pinpoint, but it was one he hoped he’d smell in a year or two which would allow him to revel in nostalgia over her for a while.

“Give us a smile, darling…” he sighed, needing it just to soothe the anxiety that was piling higher than his french toast.

Flo rolled her eyes, eliciting a deep, satisfied chuckle from him then turned the corners of her lips up with little effort. Her whole body seemed to exhale under his influence, green eyes melting into even greener ones. After a moment of quiet he surprised her, his hand cupping the back of her head, fingers knotting in the hair to pull her in and hug her close. She wrapped her arms tightly around him without argument, thankful, above everything else, that they had patched over the seemingly catastrophic problem that last night’s desire caused.

They both couldn’t handle the thought of losing each other before their time was up. Andrew swayed on the spot, remembering how they had danced together the night before and allowed himself four more seconds holding her. It was all he needed for now, just four more seconds.

One. Two. Three. Four…

[kmalexander]

Gleam Upon the Soundtrack

In the past, I’ve released my book playlists before the launch of the book. These tend to be inspiration playlists, not the music I find myself writing to. (If you’re interested in a “writing playlist,” let me know in the comments! I’d be happy to assemble something. There’s very much a “type” of music I listen to when writing a Bell Forging Cycle book.) Since Gleam Upon the Waves has been out for a little over a week, I thought I’d go a step further and not only share the playlist but give a few details, why I chose particular songs, and how I felt they reflected (and inspired) aspects of the story.

First, the playlist! Jam out, roaders.

Not a Spotify fan? The playlist is also over on YouTube.

SPOILER WARNING

The following details will contain Gleam Upon the Waves spoilers. So, if you’re still reading, I’d recommend avoiding the rest of this post until after you finished the book. For the rest of you, let’s head deeper into the playlist.

Prologue

Sons and Daughters – American Spirit

Sleep now child beneath The heavy current Dragging you along

This was the song that inspired this book. Something about life dragging you through the wringer without caring about your desires or plans cemented itself inside my head (even well before 2020.)

Chapter 1 & 2

Baltimore Blues No. 1 – Deer Tick

Can you hear the sound of the crawling flesh Now can you smell the burning desire This place is too small to hide All the ghosts that’s kicking around inside

There’s something gritty to this Deer Tick song. I felt it was a nice pairing to Wal putting on airs and wearing suits—despite his intentions, he can’t hide who he is. His problems will not disappear. Lovat devours.

Chapter 3

Gates of Dawn – Heartless Bastards

I have awoken The footsteps sound of thunder

While this tune more positive than Wal’s experience, I thought opening a new reality deserved a song that had a similar impact. I’m also a sucker for Erika Wennerstrom’s vocals. (Probably why Heartless Bastards make an appearance a little later.)

Chapter 1-3

How Deep Is The Ocean – Miles Davis

Like I wouldn’t include this in an ocean-themed playlist.

Chapter 4

bury a friend – Billie Eilish

Why aren’t you scared of me? Why do you care for me? When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

I had this chapter in my head since Red Little World. I also read it for Dead Drop Live last week. I loved the idea of Ashton being this ghost that haunts Wal—an echo of his past. One he weirdly cares about despite understanding that he’s an enemy. Eilish’s pop-minimalism just felt right for a decoupled avatar whom you may or may not want dead.

Chapter 5

Wild and Wasted Waters – Kill It Kid

Wild and wasted waters Have come to carry me on

For something so deadly, humans have an odd fascination with water. Also, this song fits with Wal being entirely out of his element. It’s helped by the Alan Lomax sample that works too well as an undercurrent for the story happening to Wal.

Chapter 6 & 7

Blood on your Bootheel – Caroline Rose

Think if you act like a man, you can alter this wheel; You can make it in this world without that blood on your bootheels

“Altering the wheel” is something Wal has attempting for a while (since Old Broken Road, if we’re honest,) but he can’t change his destiny. He can kick against the goads as much as he wants, but fate will drag him along whether he wants it or not.

Chapter 8

‘Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk

No lyrics, but man what a song. (If you haven’t noticed, any of the jazz numbers I call out in the books end up in my playlists.)

Chapter 9 & 10

Glitter & Gold – Barns Courtney

Do you ponder the manner of things In the dark The dark, the dark, the dark

Wal’s damn lucky for a guy that can’t escape his reality, eh? There’s also an element of foreshowing here. With the cult’s interest Wal can’t escape his past just like he can’t escape fate.

Chapter 11

Lovecraft in Brooklyn – The Mountains Goats

Someday something’s coming From way out beyond the stars To kill us while we stand here It’ll store our brains in mason jars

If you’ve read the last three books, it should be obvious why I included this one. Also, John Darnielle is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs.

Chapter 12, 13, & 14

Sirens – Lola Marsh

In a million years It’ll all be over Within a million years It’ll all be over

Yael Shoshana Cohen’s voice is incredible. There is a vastness in this song that matched the tone of the Wasteland. It also deals with time on an epic scale, and that’s something I appreciated—it’s cosmicy without being overt.

Chapter 15

Postcards From Hell – The Wood Brothers

I got a soul that I won’t sell And I don’t read postcards from hell

I hope you caught how Gleam Upon the Waves reflects the other stories up until this point. Wal waking in a hospital and pushing himself out of bed is awfully familiar. Despite what he’s faced with, Wal tends not to stop. He’s relentless. Tell him things are bad, and he keeps going. His tenacity is admirable, if not a bit foolish.

Chapter 16 & 17

Wicked Waters – Benjamin Booker

This must be where I lose it all, darling Throw myself into wicked waters

Again, water. Maybe our pal acted a bit too rashly?

Chapter 18

Ding Ding Dong – Waipod Petchsuphan

For all its familiarity, Empress is a foreign place, and Wal is a stranger. This poppy Thai luk thung track from ’76 sparked similar emotions for me. It’s familiar, borrowing from common themes, but at the same time it’s different from other music of the era. It’s also a bop.

Chapter 19

Hello, Darling – Conway Twitty

Hello darlin’, nice to see you, it’s been a long time

Should be fairly obvious.

Chapter 20

Figure It Out – Royal Blood

Nothing better to do When I’m stuck on you And still I’m here Trying to figure it out

This is a fairly big reveal, and while the theme of the song is related to Wal’s relationship with Essie, it’s even more complicated. “Figuring it out” is kinda a thing here, see?

Chapter 21, 22, & 23

You Want it Darker – Leonard Cohen

There’s a lullaby for suffering And a paradox to blame But it’s written in the scriptures And it’s not some idle claim You want it darker We kill the flame

Cohen’s last album deals with death and loss, there’s a heaviness to it, and it felt fitting for this section of the book.

Chapter 24, 25, 26

Mean Old World – Big Bill Broonzy

This is a mean old world to live in, I’m just travelin’ through It’s a mean old world to live in, I’m just travelin’ through Yes, sometime I get so blue, that I don’t know what to do

Another one that should be obvious. Poor Wal. Who’s the jerk that subjects him to this?

Chapter 27 & 28

Madness – Ruelle

Nowhere to run from all of this havoc Nowhere to hide From all of this madness, madness, madness

Eventually, you can only experience so much before it all just begins to break down.

Chapter 29 & 30

Sway – Heartless Bastards

So, I stumble and I sway into the room and I fade I hope my darkest day are behind me I want to stay here in the sun for a while I hope my darkest days are behind me

There’s a spark of hope here, and I feel like there’s a spark of hope in these chapters as well. Yes, two Heartless Bastard songs in this playlist. You’re going to have to deal.

Chapter 31

Remains – Algiers

While the captors boast On how they lower your costs The rich men gamble At the foot of the cross

When you make a decision, you need to be ready to deal with the outcome.

Chapter 32

Revival – Soulsavers

Why am I so blind With my eyes wide open, oh? Trying to get my hands Clean in dirty water

A song about people doing something they feel is right even though reality clashes with that desire, and somehow, at their core, they know it. If that doesn’t fit the Deeperists, I don’t know what would.

Chapter 33 & 34

The Church Bell’s Moan – Bror Gunnar Jansson

Don’t you hear them?

Ring the bell and eventually they’ll come.

Chapter 35 & 36

Get Loud for Me – Gizzle

I see my goal and get cold as December when Counting our sins, I don’t have no friends I came here to win, my start is your end Now let it begin now

FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT. Also, this is such a great reflection of the previous song that I had to include it.

Chapter 37 & 38

The End – Kings of Leon

This could be the end This could be the end This could be the end This could be the end ‘Cause I ain’t got a home

A song about change and facing that change. Felt like a fitting end to this playlist. 

Chapter 37 & 38… again

I See A Darkness – Johnny Cash & Bonnie “Prince” Billy

And did you know how much I love you Is a hope that somehow you you Can save me from this darkness?

Wait, never mind. This is even more fitting.

Chapter 37 & 38… for real this time

The Parting Glass – Hozier

Of all the comrades that ere I had, they’re sorry for my going away, And of all the sweethearts that ere I had, they wish me one more day to stay, But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not, I will gently rise and I’ll softly call, “Goodnight and joy be with you all!”

No… this one.

So, that’s Gleam Upon the Soundtrack, a Gleam Upon the Waves playlist! I hope everyone enjoyed a glimpse into my musical inspirations. It’s really fun to assemble these things and reflect on why particular songs spoke to me over another. I totally understand why other authors do it as well. This isn’t the only playlist I’ve made for my novels, you can check out the other ones here.

Once again, thanks to everyone for picking up Gleam Upon the Waves. I’m really proud of it, and I hope you enjoyed your time back in the Territories. If you haven’t nabbed your copies yet, you can do so from any of the links below.

Buy the paperback:

Amazon – Barnes & Noble 

Buy the eBook:

Kindle – Kobo – Nook – Apple Books – GooglePlay

Finally, if you’ve finished Gleam, please leave an honest review, and if you liked it, tell your friends! Thank you for making Gleam Upon the Waves one of the books you chose to read this year. Time is finite and it’s an honor you decided to spend some of yours with my book.

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[amaltheaz]

R U L E S: Copy this post into a new text post, remove my answers and put in yours. When you are done, tag up to 10 people and also tag the person who tagged you… and most importantly, have fun! 

I was tagged by @banrions 

A) Age: I will be 33 next month (good god) 

B) Biggest fear: not being good enough which also kinda complements my other fear of being left behind 

C) Current time: it is now 2.45pm 

D) Drink you last had: had a glass of orange juice with my lunch :) 

E) Every day starts with: wishing I were in bed with my lady so I could cuddle up to her and go back to sleep 

F) Favourite song atm: Hozier's From Eden has been on repeat for awhile since I found out Katie McGrath was in the video 😂 

G) Ghosts, are they real?: I come from a culture that has very rooted beliefs in the supernatural and there are just too many things that can't be explained away so easily. So my philosophy when it comes to them is that, as long as I don't mess with them, they won't mess with me 

H) Hometown?: as you can see from my bio, I'm South-East Asian and it’s a terribly small country that not many people usually know. I feel we are known for at least four things, and three and a half of those things are kind of scandalous.

I) In love with?: my beautiful, beautiful wife @idontneedtobeforgiven

J) Jealous of?: whoever is having an in-n-out burger because god damn am I craving one right now

K) Killed Someone?: not that I know of unless you mean video games then yes, LOTS

L) Last time you cried: last night when I was watchiung Power Rangers and I got super emotional during the fight scene because nostalgia

M) Middle name: I don’t have one

N) Number of siblings: 4, two brothers and two sisters. 

O) One wish: that I can go home to my love and that it would be permanent

P) Person you last called/texted: Cheyenne when we were saying goodnight, :)

Q) Questions you are always being asked: I don’t think there is a question that I’m always asked apart from the usual niceties of “how are you?” I don’t exactly interact with a lot of people lol

R) Reasons to smile: Cheyenne, love, food, music, life in general? Idk. I’m trying to adopt this more grateful outlook of life despite the absolute shitestorm we’ve been getting for the past few months

S) Song last sung: I’m currently listening to the Hamilton soundtrack and Dear Theodosia just finished

T) Time you woke up: today, I woke up at first at around 5am but then went back to sleep. I woke uo again at around 8ish

U) Underwear colour: purple 

W) Worst habits: literally the reason I’m doing this is to avoid writing my fics 

X) X-rays you’ve had: I think the only time I’ve ever had an x-ray was for dental and nothing else

Y) Your favourite food: oh no, that’s too difficult. I love food way too much to choose

Z) Zodiac sign: I feel my sign is the one that so many people talk shit about and like, I also don’t blame them?? I think it’s only my crippling anxiety that keeps me from being what geminis are known for

Tsgging: @idontneedtobeforgiven, @youngbloodbuzz, @klarkeqriffin, @everythingyouweretooafraidtoask, @wtfoctagon, @thisismylifecollage, @gohandinhand, @femininenachos, @insaneantics, @heather2711