by Jillian Dodd
My friend had a scare. (Aiden) —It was me who was scared. Really, really, freaked out scared.
Garrett is my uncle. (Everyone) —He is not.
I went on a backstage-type tour for school, came home, and told my mom I wanted to write a fairytale movie. (Aiden) —On how I got into script writing. Such a lame lie but I couldn’t think of anything else at the time. Because his hand. Was. On. My. Knee.
My mom is retired but used to work in oil and gas. (Whitney) —My Grandpa did—so at least I kept it in the family. Does that make it less of a lie?
I don’t want to be an actress. I want to be a doctor. (Riley’s mom) (Drama teacher) —Later, I went on to add, I want to be a pediatric doctor specializing in children's cancer, because my cousin died from it. —Thank god, that’s not true. Mostly because I don’t have any cousins.
I want to be a CIA agent. (Advisor) (the Dean) —Although, really, it’s not a bad back-up plan.
I want to major in International Studies. (College recruiter) —no. Just no.
That I mentioned I knew Damian when we watched one of Twisted Dreams’ videos after soccer. (Peyton) —I can hardly even keep up anymore. I should have added that it was after a Steele Building workout—which it was. So, she probably wouldn’t have remembered it anyway.
That I didn’t think Damian hooked up with groupies. (Aiden) —I don’t think Aiden wanted to know the truth. It was for his own good, really.
That Peyton and Damian weren’t skinny dipping. (Aiden) —See above reasoning.
Aberly and Fritz (Damian’s lie to Aiden that I went along with.) —What the hell kind of name is Aberly?
I’m going to France to be with my mom. (Aiden) —I wish . . .
That I probably wouldn’t like To Maddie, with Love (Aiden) —I would love to see it.
That I’m at an all-girls school in the middle of nowhere. (Sander) —I am at a school.
That Cooper is one of Tommy’s stunt men. (Sander/friends) —Sorry.
That Tommy and Brooklyn okayed my using their vehicles. (Car detailer) —Sorry, but necessary.
I saw my uncle and talked to him about my mom. (Aiden) —Again, necessary.
My mom is working on oil and gas leases in the Ukraine. (Aiden) —Please, stop asking so many questions!
My mom’s name is Kathryn Monroe. My stepdad’s name is Tom Hart. (Aiden and his parents) —Curiosity must run in the family.
I didn’t correct Aberly /Abernathy. (Aiden and his parents) —Omission, not technically a lie?
I lied in Miami about being stalked. (Riley) —I had to lie about lying. Shit.
I came to Eastbrooke because I wanted to see if I could act. To see if I could pretend to be someone else. I lied because I could. (Everyone at Eastbrooke) —This was the hardest lie of them all.
THE MUSIC
Let’s talk about the music that is so much a part of The Keatyn Chronicles for me. When writing, I either have total silence, or I tend to listen to the same song on repeat a million times.
The songs that I chose for the final playlists for the books were songs my kids and I searched for to fit each scene meticulously. Sometimes it is the lyrics. Sometimes the voice. The beat. But the songs all fit the scenes.
You’d be shocked to know how much time I spent compiling the playlist for each book. I wanted them to be just right.
The songs often gave you insight to how Aiden was feeling, and I was honestly really nervous that I would give away that he was Moon Boy with some of my choices.
I’m going to list the playlists below along with the scenes they match up to. These are on my website for future reference. Just click the link.
I’ve added commentary about each song choice—things I couldn’t have said while writing the series.
Stalk Me: The Soundtrack
“Wild Ones” by Flo Rida
“Why don’t you dump the Sandman? Come play with Cush?”
The Scene: Come play with Cush.
This song is so Keatyn. Because she is totally a wild one. Can’t you just picture her dancing on the bar at one of Cush’s parties to this song?
“Crave You” by Flight Facilities
The Scene: Your dirty little secret.
This is the kind of song that would have played when she took Cush dancing with her at The Side Door. This is a sexy song and fitting for what will become of their relationship.
“Surfer Girl” by The Beach Boys
The Scene: Abs to freaking die for.
Not Twisted Dreams’ version, but definitely describes Keatyn and Brooklyn’s laid-back relationship. He even calls her his little surfer girl.
“Stolen” By Dashboard Confessionals
The Scene: When our lips finally meet.
Brooklyn stole her heart two years ago when he taught her how to surf. She’s very happy when they finally get together.
“Beautiful People” by Chris Brown
The Scene: Possibly a little bit hotter.
This song sums up the Monte Carlo party that Vanessa and RiAnne throw to figure out who should sit at their table next year. Keatyn doesn’t really want to be a part of it.
“Tonight” by John Legend
The Scene: Please say yes.
Sexy, seductive song for a night with Cush.
“Hit and Run” by Breathe Carolina
The scene: I smell like a princess.
Cush plans a special night. This song shows that he’s wanting their relationship to be more than just a hook-up.
“All You” by The Cataracs
The Scene: Body shots!
The song that Alex Littleton turns up when Cush does body shots off Keatyn at a party. Also a song that I listened to a lot when writing Cush and Keatyn scenes. It fits their fun, sexy relationship.
“Monster” by Skillet
The Scene: The biggest bitch of all.
How Keatyn feels when she realizes what she’s turned into in trying to go up against Vanessa.
“Love Life” by He is We
The Scene: My life is a mess.
Licking her wounds in France, Keatyn is trying to figure out her screwed up love life. Because her love life kind of sucks right now.
“Float Away” by Robbie Rivera
The Scene: Keats for my Keats.
The summer of waves or the summer of love? Forgetting about the real world on a beach somewhere in Europe with Brooklyn.
“Russian Privejet” by Basshunter
The Scene: Hands all over your ass.
Keatyn having a ball dancing in a London disco. Brooklyn, not so much.
“Since You’ve Been Gone” by A Day to Remember
The Scene: All bullshit aside, I did.
Keatyn decides to break up with Brooklyn. Especially the parts where she says she’s so moving on. This was a song I first heard by Kelly Clarkson, but I love this pop-punk version.
“Happy Birthday” by The Click Five
The Scene: All bullshit aside, I did.
Although the lyrics of this song don’t exactly fit, this is how I envision Twisted Dreams sounding.
“Sirens” by Angels and Airwaves
The Scene: Click your heels together.
This song makes me think of all the stuff that is going through Keatyn’s head after the incident. She’s afraid to be at home. Can’t talk to her friends. Afraid she asked for this. Can’t wake up from a bad dream.
“Breathe” by He is We
The scene: Keatyn Douglas is no more.
Everyone thinks she’s handling things well, but she knows she’s just good at faking it. This is sort of the theme song for this book. She’s doing what she has to in order to survive. She’s trying to protect her family and, most of all, her little sisters. And when she gets to Eastbrooke, she feels safe, and like she can finally breathe again.
“Only One” by Sammy Adams
The Scene: I’ve died and gone to hottie heaven.
I absolutely adore this song. It’s totally a big spoiler because everyone
knows I love Sammy Adams. And I wouldn’t waste one of his songs on just some guy. This song is basically Aiden’s point of view, telling you how he feels about Keatyn. She’s the one, people!
Kiss Me: The Soundtrack
“Kiss Me Again” by We Are the In Crowd
Again, it’s a slow, soft, amazing kiss. The kind of kiss that makes me feel like he’s kissing my soul.
The Scene: He’s kissing my soul.
How many ways can we describe Aiden’s amazing kisses? This song is cute and sweet.
“50 ways to Say Goodbye” by Train
“Really the more rumors Vincent hears the better as far as I’m concerned.”
The Scene: The paths you choose.
This song so made me laugh. Although it’s a different context, it made me think of all the rumors going around about where Keatyn is and why she left.
“Killin’ It” by Krewella
Knockout punch. Bam, baby.
The Scene: A lotta rage.
I love Krewella. Girl Power. The beat is so awesome, and I can so picture Keatyn all pissed off at Aiden and pretend punching his head in this scene.
“So Young So High” by Dada Life
“I’ve had about enough of high ass boys who don’t give a shit one way or another.”
The Scene: Tired of chilling.
This is a great song for this scene at the Cave, where they are young and getting high. LOL.
“Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees
I realize now why it seemed like people were murmuring behind me during my classes this morning.
The Scene: Shot heard ’round the world.
Gossip, gossip. This song is fun for the scene when everyone is talking about the photo of Keatyn and Dawson kissing on the bench.
“Heart Attack” by Trey Songz
“My heart still does a little flip when I see him.”
The scene: Sleazy train wreck.
When Brooklyn takes that girl in the cabana, I wanted to go in there and punch him. But it hurts Keatyn. Big time. And sends her reeling straight into molten lava hot Dawson’s bed.
“Die Young” by Ke$sha
“I wanted you to take off my bikini in the bedroom, and I hadn’t had a single drink.”
The Scene: Gave you goosebumps.
Because I loved Dawson, but knew they weren’t going to last, you will notice that the songs for Keatyn and Dawson are very different than the ones for Keatyn and Aiden. For Dawson they are more pop, less serious, partying or sexy songs.
“Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull
I feel like I’m living a hot romance novel.
The Scene: His hormones kicked into overdrive.
Molten lava Dawson gets it all in this scene, as the song describes.
“Don’t Wake Me Up” by Chris Brown
“I really hope you don’t regret it. Or hate me.”
The Scene: Should I feel cheap?
This is actually a really sweet song about the morning after. Dawson is so cute how he brings her food.
“Let Yourself Go” by Green Day
I know I shouldn’t do this, but I’m not letting her get away with slamming me.
The Scene: They’re Gucci.
This scene is one of my favorites in the entire series. I love that Keatyn isn’t mean but sticks up for herself. In the South this is like saying, “Bless her heart,” and then slamming someone. The song is fitting because I felt like Keatyn sort of lets herself go in a good way against the most popular girl at school. And she does it politely. Point for Keatyn. (As if having sexy Dawson on her arm isn’t enough.)
“Live While We’re Young by One” Direction
“You feel so good.”
The Scene: Oh, shit. My bad.
Keatyn and Dawson get caught hooking up by Jake. This song is another fun, do it while we’re young song.
“Uh Oh” by Junior Doctor
“Oh, uh, yeah, that’s probably a bad idea. I was thinking like knocking boots, as in kicking a soccer ball with the boots, not, uh—”
The Scene: She likes to knock boots.
Ah, you guys! Listen to this song. I so love it. It’s totally Aiden’s perspective. In the story we all know that Keatyn says Aiden has the power to fill her head with cotton candy and not be able to speak or think. This song is basically Aiden saying the same thing about Keatyn. He gets tongue tied when she’s near him. His friends think it won’t work and that he’s crazy. (Logan.) His normal moves don’t work. And I love how he says something about taking all the air out of his lungs when he’s around her.
“Drive By” by Train
“That may be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen you in.”
The Scene: Party, celebrate, hookup.
How many songs can we have where Dawson and Keatyn hook up? Here’s another one! LOL
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
“I also want you to stop flipping your ponytail around.”
The Scene: Vote for letting him die.
Awww, I love this scene. Love how Aiden thinks her hair smells like cotton candy and it reminds him of the Ferris wheel. And he totally thinks she’s beautiful!
“Let Me Love You” by Ne-Yo
“You should love me,” he says sweetly.
The scene: My heart mated with his.
Oh, Ne-Yo, this is one of my all time favorite songs. And Aiden just wants Keatyn to let him love her. He’s making promises never to hurt her, to teach her to love, to always be there.
“Come Down with Love” by Allstar Weekend
He is totally teasing me, totally playing with me, and it pisses me off and makes me weak at the knees at the same time.
The Scene: Toying with my forcefield.
Another song from Aiden’s point of view. So adorable and such a cute song. Aiden has totally been bit by the love bug.
“Walls” by The Rocket Summer
Tears continue to stream down my face and start dripping all over my iPad.
The Scene: How many lies?
The Rocket Summer is a multi-instrument musician who I’ve had the pleasure of hearing live. He’s amazing. This song so fits this scene. She has nowhere to go. She’s trying to win. She doesn’t know how she ended up here. I also kind of picture this song as what Aiden would sing to her. He wants to help her.
“She’s So Mean” by Matchbox Twenty
“It’s no wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”
The Scene: Pretending it was your head.
Love Keatyn and Aiden when they fight, because you can so see right through it. This song is sort of from Aiden’s point of view. She’s being mean, but he totally loves it about her. Talks about how she’s a hot mess and gets what she wants.
“Mercy” by Kanye West
“I want to do it like this. Up against my car.”
The Scene: Take them off.
A fun song about a doing things in a car—or up against it.
“Run” by Matt Nathanson
“Imagine what it will be like with the guy you’re really supposed to be with.”
The scene: I’d bite you. Make you mine.
Sexy, romantic Aiden song. He so wants Keatyn and this is a special song. I love how he’s comparing her to a wave, which is so fitting to the series.
“Over My Head” by The Fray
“Whenever you need me, I’m there.”
The Scene: I wish we didn’t fight.
Oh, Aiden is so in over his head with Keatyn. They keep fighting, but she is always on his mind.
“Feel Again” by OneRepublic
“My heart felt very happy.”
The Scene: What the hell?
I see this as a Dawson point of view, and really sort of Keatyn, too. Both of them had been hurt by their former loves and with each other, they are starting to feel love again.
“Learn To Fly” by Foo Fighters
“I’m starting a new life.”
The scene: The real you.
This
scene is a big one in Keatyn’s life. You’ll notice it’s also an older song. On most all of the playlists, Keatyn snuck a few of their favorites into the movie soundtrack. This is one of them. Keatyn finds the shoes she wore to her birthday party left in her closet by Garrett. The shoes that are the real her. The shoes that mean she survived. For Keatyn, this song is about her starting over in a new life and learning to fly all by herself.
“All I Ever Wanted” by Basshunter
“I know you’re new, but we have very high standards here.”
The Scene: Good little mutt.
Great song. Can’t you see the boys dancing and taking their shirts off to spell out Homecoming?
Date Me: The Soundtrack
“Electric” by The DNC
“His eyes are kissing my soul. Caressing me like a lover.”
The Scene: Embarrassent protection program.
Although Dawson is molten lava in his hotness, Aiden is compared to lightning and electricity. This is a fun song about their hotness together.
