I've shared before during various live videos and on social media that I have a very specific method for getting into the right headspace for each book.
I pick a song (or a few songs) and a candle for each book and burn/listen to them the entire time I write.
By the end of the book, just the first notes of the song(s) or opening the candle instantly puts me into the world I'm writing.
Disclaimer: The songs I choose may not exactly fit each story, but for whatever reason, they just really helped me get into the right headspace for each one! I tend to only write to either sad songs or love songs...even while writing wild, dark stories.
Also, the candles have all been generic ones unless specified.
Obviously, I don't own the rights to any of these songs or scents.
If you'd like to know what song/scent combo inspired your favorite book, keep reading!
BECOMING MRS. ABBOTT
Song: Momma's Broken Heart | Miranda Lambert
Scent: Coffee
THE LIST
Song: Gone Girl Soundtrack
Scent: Lavender Bergamont
THE MISSING PIECE
Song: All Those Nights | Chase Coy
Scent: Sweet Pea by Bath + Body Works
PLAYING JENNA
Song: Skinny Love | Birdy
Scent: Apple Cinnamon
THE BEGINNING AFTER
Song: Arms | Christina Perri
Scent: Warm Apple Pie
THE CLEANER (THE MESSES, #1)
Song: Mercy | Brett Young and Drunk Girl | Chris Janson
Scent: French Vanilla
THE HEALER (THE MESSES, #2)
Song: Marry Me | Thomas Rhett
Scent: Autumn Harvest
THE LIAR (THE MESSES, #3)
Song: I Believe | Christina Perri
Scent: Hazelnut Cream
THE PRISONER (THE MESSES, #4)
Song: The Good Parts | Andy Grammer
Scent: Gray Mist
THE LONG ROUTE
Song: Crowded Places | Rynn
Scent: Spiced Pumpkin
THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS
Song: A Simple Favor Soundtrack
Scent: Rustic Woods
THE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Song: Stay with Me | Sam Smith
Scent: Cinnamon Chai
THE BETTER CHOICE
Song: From the Ground Up | Dan + Shay
Scent: Fall Farmhouse
THE LUCKY ONES
Song: Us | James Bay
Scent: Pine
I SAID YES
Song: Consequences | Camilla Cabello
Scent: Lemon + Mint
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW
Song: All I Ask | Adele
Scent: Cashmere Sweater
THE DREAM JOB
Song: In My Blood | Shawn Mendes
Scent: Warm Flannel
THE NANNY'S SECRET
Song: Don't Wanna Write This Song | Brett Young
Scent: Crisp Fall Night
THE LIAR'S WIFE
Song: Preciatcha | Caylee Hammack
Scent: Garden Rain
MY HUSBAND'S SECRET
Song: Peter Pan | Kelsea Ballerini
Scent: Clean Linen
THE PERFECT GETAWAY
Song: Fall for You | Secondhand Serenade
Scent: Ocean Breeze by Yankee Candle
THE ARRANGEMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #1)
Song: How to Save a Life | The Fray
Scent: Rose
THE ROOMMATE
Song: This Is What It Takes | Shawn Mendes
Scent: Mandarin + Teakwood by Bath + Body Works
THE MISSING
Song: You Found Me | The Fray
Scent: Serenity + Calm by Bath + Body Works
JUST MARRIED
Song: Worship You | Kane Brown
Scent: Thriller custom candle by Novelly Yours
OUR LITTLE SECRET
Song: You Didn't | Brett Young
Scent: Lavender
WIDOW FALLS
Song: Lady Like | Ingrid Andress
Scent: Peony
MISSING DAUGHTER
Song: I Hope You're Happy Now | Carly Pearce
Scent: Oolong Tea
THE REUNION
SONG: Dear Me | Brett Young and 29 | Carly Pearce
SCENT: Monkey Farts by The Pebble Tree
THE AMENDMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #2)
SONG: Better Man and All Too Well (10 minute version) | Taylor Swift [Taylor's Versions]
SCENT: Autumn Evening
TELL ME THE TRUTH
SONG: To Be Loved | Adele
SCENT: Magnolia & Myrrh
THE DINNER GUESTS
SONG: Chicago is So Two Years Ago | Fall Out Boy and Intentions | Justin Bieber
SCENT: Geranium Lavender
THE ATONEMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #3)
SONG: All or Nothing | O-Town
SCENT: Bookends
IF YOU'RE READING THIS...
SONG: Leave Your Life | Ed Sheeran and 'Til You Can't | Cody Johnson
SCENT: Whiskey & Oak
A QUIET RETREAT
SONG: Villain | Lily Rose
SCENT: Black Hills Bonfire
THE FAMILY SECRET
SONG: Someone You Loved | Lewis Capaldi
SCENT: Palo Santo + Vetiver
DON'T GO DOWN THERE
SONG: The Good Parts | JP Saxe
SCENT: Crackling Cedarwood
WAIT FOR DARK
SONG: Homecoming Queen | Kelsea Ballerini
SCENT: Be Leaf in Yourself by Sonoma (Cinnamon, Citrus + Balsam Fir)
YOU CAN TRUST ME
SONG: This is Me Trying | Taylor Swift and Boat | Ed Sheeran
SCENT: Mediterranean Breeze by Calaveras Candle Co.
HEMLOCK
SONG: Thought It Was Gonna Be Me | Catherine McGrath, Maybe We Will | Noah Schnacky,
The 1 | Taylor Swift, and Timeless | Taylor Swift
SCENT: Love That Journey for You (Black Raz Vanilla) by Blazed Candle Company
DO NOT OPEN
SONG: Rare | Selena Gomez
SCENT: Grape Soda
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW I'M HERE
SONG: the grudge | Olivia Rodrigo
SCENT: Mint Julep
THE STRANGER
SONG: The Wolves | Madeline Edwards
SCENT: Crackling Cedarwood
THE HOLLOW
SONG: driver's license | Olivia Rodrigo, You're Losing Me | Taylor Swift, it's time to go | Taylor Swift, traitor | Olivia Rodrigo,
making the bed | Olivia Rodrigo, happier | Olivia Rodrigo, and enough for you | Olivia Rodrigo
SCENT: Campfire Smoke
BITTER HOUSE
SONG: What Are You Gonna Tell Her | Mickey Guyton, The Man | Taylor Swift, Boys Will Be Boys | Dua Lipa, mad woman | Taylor Swift, Not All Men | Morgan St. Jean, I Just Wanna Walk Home | Josie Proto, Nightmare | Halsey, all-american b*tch | Olivia Rodrigo, and
Do It Like A Girl | Morgan St. Jean
SCENT: Lilac
THE GUILTY ONE
SONG: Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? | Taylor Swift, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived | Taylor Swift, Cassandra | Taylor Swift, i'mgonnagetyouback | Taylor Swift, and My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys | Taylor Swift
SCENT: Cactus Bloom
THE HIDDEN
SONG: Growing Sideways | Noah Kahan, I Can Do It With a Broken Heart | Taylor Swift, and Homesick | Noah Kahan
SCENT: Moonstone by World Market (Cucumber Peel, Aloe Water, Sage Leaf, Crushed Lavender + White Woods)
WHERE THE DARKNESS GOES
SONG: loml | Taylor Swift, The Black Dog | Taylor Swift, Peter | Taylor Swift, Brush Fire | Gracie Abrams, Hey There Delilah | Plain White T's, She'll Never Love You | Catherine McGrath, Wild | Catherine McGrath, Don't Let Me Forget | Catherine McGrath (feat. Hunter Hayes), Everything Has Changed (Taylor's Version) (feat. Ed Sheeran), Wake Me Up | Ed Sheeran, Way To Break My Heart | Ed Sheeran (feat. Skrillex), Why Don't You Kiss Her? | Jesse McCartney, I Can Still Feel You | Collin Raye, Everywhere | Tim McGraw
SCENT: Vetiver + Cedarwood
THE LAST TRIP
SONG: Two Things | Kelsea Ballerini
SCENT: Black Pepper + Cedar
NINE PINES
SONG: Massachusetts | Jensen McRae
SCENT: Chocolate Chip Cookies
To check out the full KMod Playlist on Spotify, click here!
I pick a song (or a few songs) and a candle for each book and burn/listen to them the entire time I write.
By the end of the book, just the first notes of the song(s) or opening the candle instantly puts me into the world I'm writing.
Disclaimer: The songs I choose may not exactly fit each story, but for whatever reason, they just really helped me get into the right headspace for each one! I tend to only write to either sad songs or love songs...even while writing wild, dark stories.
Also, the candles have all been generic ones unless specified.
Obviously, I don't own the rights to any of these songs or scents.
If you'd like to know what song/scent combo inspired your favorite book, keep reading!
BECOMING MRS. ABBOTT
Song: Momma's Broken Heart | Miranda Lambert
Scent: Coffee
THE LIST
Song: Gone Girl Soundtrack
Scent: Lavender Bergamont
THE MISSING PIECE
Song: All Those Nights | Chase Coy
Scent: Sweet Pea by Bath + Body Works
PLAYING JENNA
Song: Skinny Love | Birdy
Scent: Apple Cinnamon
THE BEGINNING AFTER
Song: Arms | Christina Perri
Scent: Warm Apple Pie
THE CLEANER (THE MESSES, #1)
Song: Mercy | Brett Young and Drunk Girl | Chris Janson
Scent: French Vanilla
THE HEALER (THE MESSES, #2)
Song: Marry Me | Thomas Rhett
Scent: Autumn Harvest
THE LIAR (THE MESSES, #3)
Song: I Believe | Christina Perri
Scent: Hazelnut Cream
THE PRISONER (THE MESSES, #4)
Song: The Good Parts | Andy Grammer
Scent: Gray Mist
THE LONG ROUTE
Song: Crowded Places | Rynn
Scent: Spiced Pumpkin
THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS
Song: A Simple Favor Soundtrack
Scent: Rustic Woods
THE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Song: Stay with Me | Sam Smith
Scent: Cinnamon Chai
THE BETTER CHOICE
Song: From the Ground Up | Dan + Shay
Scent: Fall Farmhouse
THE LUCKY ONES
Song: Us | James Bay
Scent: Pine
I SAID YES
Song: Consequences | Camilla Cabello
Scent: Lemon + Mint
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW
Song: All I Ask | Adele
Scent: Cashmere Sweater
THE DREAM JOB
Song: In My Blood | Shawn Mendes
Scent: Warm Flannel
THE NANNY'S SECRET
Song: Don't Wanna Write This Song | Brett Young
Scent: Crisp Fall Night
THE LIAR'S WIFE
Song: Preciatcha | Caylee Hammack
Scent: Garden Rain
MY HUSBAND'S SECRET
Song: Peter Pan | Kelsea Ballerini
Scent: Clean Linen
THE PERFECT GETAWAY
Song: Fall for You | Secondhand Serenade
Scent: Ocean Breeze by Yankee Candle
THE ARRANGEMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #1)
Song: How to Save a Life | The Fray
Scent: Rose
THE ROOMMATE
Song: This Is What It Takes | Shawn Mendes
Scent: Mandarin + Teakwood by Bath + Body Works
THE MISSING
Song: You Found Me | The Fray
Scent: Serenity + Calm by Bath + Body Works
JUST MARRIED
Song: Worship You | Kane Brown
Scent: Thriller custom candle by Novelly Yours
OUR LITTLE SECRET
Song: You Didn't | Brett Young
Scent: Lavender
WIDOW FALLS
Song: Lady Like | Ingrid Andress
Scent: Peony
MISSING DAUGHTER
Song: I Hope You're Happy Now | Carly Pearce
Scent: Oolong Tea
THE REUNION
SONG: Dear Me | Brett Young and 29 | Carly Pearce
SCENT: Monkey Farts by The Pebble Tree
THE AMENDMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #2)
SONG: Better Man and All Too Well (10 minute version) | Taylor Swift [Taylor's Versions]
SCENT: Autumn Evening
TELL ME THE TRUTH
SONG: To Be Loved | Adele
SCENT: Magnolia & Myrrh
THE DINNER GUESTS
SONG: Chicago is So Two Years Ago | Fall Out Boy and Intentions | Justin Bieber
SCENT: Geranium Lavender
THE ATONEMENT (ARRANGEMENT NOVELS, #3)
SONG: All or Nothing | O-Town
SCENT: Bookends
IF YOU'RE READING THIS...
SONG: Leave Your Life | Ed Sheeran and 'Til You Can't | Cody Johnson
SCENT: Whiskey & Oak
A QUIET RETREAT
SONG: Villain | Lily Rose
SCENT: Black Hills Bonfire
THE FAMILY SECRET
SONG: Someone You Loved | Lewis Capaldi
SCENT: Palo Santo + Vetiver
DON'T GO DOWN THERE
SONG: The Good Parts | JP Saxe
SCENT: Crackling Cedarwood
WAIT FOR DARK
SONG: Homecoming Queen | Kelsea Ballerini
SCENT: Be Leaf in Yourself by Sonoma (Cinnamon, Citrus + Balsam Fir)
YOU CAN TRUST ME
SONG: This is Me Trying | Taylor Swift and Boat | Ed Sheeran
SCENT: Mediterranean Breeze by Calaveras Candle Co.
HEMLOCK
SONG: Thought It Was Gonna Be Me | Catherine McGrath, Maybe We Will | Noah Schnacky,
The 1 | Taylor Swift, and Timeless | Taylor Swift
SCENT: Love That Journey for You (Black Raz Vanilla) by Blazed Candle Company
DO NOT OPEN
SONG: Rare | Selena Gomez
SCENT: Grape Soda
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW I'M HERE
SONG: the grudge | Olivia Rodrigo
SCENT: Mint Julep
THE STRANGER
SONG: The Wolves | Madeline Edwards
SCENT: Crackling Cedarwood
THE HOLLOW
SONG: driver's license | Olivia Rodrigo, You're Losing Me | Taylor Swift, it's time to go | Taylor Swift, traitor | Olivia Rodrigo,
making the bed | Olivia Rodrigo, happier | Olivia Rodrigo, and enough for you | Olivia Rodrigo
SCENT: Campfire Smoke
BITTER HOUSE
SONG: What Are You Gonna Tell Her | Mickey Guyton, The Man | Taylor Swift, Boys Will Be Boys | Dua Lipa, mad woman | Taylor Swift, Not All Men | Morgan St. Jean, I Just Wanna Walk Home | Josie Proto, Nightmare | Halsey, all-american b*tch | Olivia Rodrigo, and
Do It Like A Girl | Morgan St. Jean
SCENT: Lilac
THE GUILTY ONE
SONG: Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? | Taylor Swift, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived | Taylor Swift, Cassandra | Taylor Swift, i'mgonnagetyouback | Taylor Swift, and My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys | Taylor Swift
SCENT: Cactus Bloom
THE HIDDEN
SONG: Growing Sideways | Noah Kahan, I Can Do It With a Broken Heart | Taylor Swift, and Homesick | Noah Kahan
SCENT: Moonstone by World Market (Cucumber Peel, Aloe Water, Sage Leaf, Crushed Lavender + White Woods)
WHERE THE DARKNESS GOES
SONG: loml | Taylor Swift, The Black Dog | Taylor Swift, Peter | Taylor Swift, Brush Fire | Gracie Abrams, Hey There Delilah | Plain White T's, She'll Never Love You | Catherine McGrath, Wild | Catherine McGrath, Don't Let Me Forget | Catherine McGrath (feat. Hunter Hayes), Everything Has Changed (Taylor's Version) (feat. Ed Sheeran), Wake Me Up | Ed Sheeran, Way To Break My Heart | Ed Sheeran (feat. Skrillex), Why Don't You Kiss Her? | Jesse McCartney, I Can Still Feel You | Collin Raye, Everywhere | Tim McGraw
SCENT: Vetiver + Cedarwood
THE LAST TRIP
SONG: Two Things | Kelsea Ballerini
SCENT: Black Pepper + Cedar
NINE PINES
SONG: Massachusetts | Jensen McRae
SCENT: Chocolate Chip Cookies
To check out the full KMod Playlist on Spotify, click here!
