Anniversary blog hop with Hannah Downing

Thanks so much, Lisa, for having me as a guest on your blog today. For those of you who aren’t aware, today is the 1 year anniversary of the release of my novel, Pieces of Us. So, I’m having a HUGE birthday blog hop to celebrate!! Hop on over to my website for all the details – www.hannahdowning.com

Pieces of Us – The music behind the book

While I was writing this story, there were a lot of songs that I would listen to which helped me get into a romantic mood, or a heartbroken mood, or that helped me to create the types of emotions that characters were feeling so I could write them more effectively. Here are the songs that inspired my characters and the emotional feel of the story -

All Cried Out by Allure featuring 112 –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eSXnB2J_q4

I have loved this song ever since I was a teenager and I think it really fits the situation between Charlotte and Cameron!

Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0T3WAbU6tg&ob=av2n

When I listen to this song, it makes me think of how Charlotte feels when she sees Cameron and Lucy at the supermarket and then again when she bumps into Cameron, five years later. I think its Charlotte trying to convince herself that she’s fine without him.

Halo by Beyonce –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnVUHWCynig&ob=av2e

Halo is a song that is all about Owen. He brought Charlotte back to life after her divorce and taught her how to love in a mature relationship. Owen is Charlotte’s angel.

Wasn't It Good by Tina Arena –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uLFclZRx3I
I have always loved the words to this song. The acknowledgement that the relationship is over and neither party wants to get back together, but that when they were together, they were good and there was love. This is how I see the conversation in Chapter 12 (if you’ve read the book, you’ll know which one I mean.)

Now I Can Dance by Tina Arena –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jstzqSiqOPw

I like to think that words of this song are How Charlotte is feeling at the end of the book.


I Still by the Backstreet Boys –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yLG-lW_r_g&ob=av2n

This song is all about Cameron. As much as he wants Charlotte to move on and be happy, he can’t let her go.

The Hardest Thing by 98 Degrees –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzTNsFcbdmI
Even though this song is sung by male singers, I always think of Charlotte and her confusion between the two men who love her when I hear this. I always imagine her having this conflict in her heart when she goes to meet Cameron in his office to talk.

White Flag by Dido –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-fWDrZSiZs&ob=av3e

White Flag is all Cameron! He tells Charlotte that he’s not going to stop loving her ever… which is exactly what this song is about.

Thinking of You by Katy Perry –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdGZBRAwW74&ob=av2e

This song could be either for Cameron or Charlotte. If we look at it from Charlotte’s point of view, when she is with Owen she is still thinking about Cameron. If we look at it from Cameron’s point of view, when he is with Lucy he is thinking about Charlotte. Whichever character it sits better with for you, it fits the story perfectly.

Brown Eyes by Lady Gaga –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzTsch6Z1og

This song feels very final and sad to me. I associate it with how Charlotte feels in chapter two when she leaves Cameron.

Who Knew by Pink –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av8NUrwtmw8

This is about Charlotte’s disbelief that her marriage is over. Thinking back to when she got married and how she never would have believe that two years later they would be in this situation.



I’d love to hear any comments on the songs and how you feel they fit into the story (if you’ve read it) and if you haven’t read it, does the music make you curious about the story?

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to collect your letter to help make up the winning word.