I can only write with music
Confession: I can’t write without music.
I know, I know… this seems like a big deal. How did Jane Austen write anything back in the day with only the sound of her breathing and the frantic scribbling of her quill, I’ll never know. But it is a truth universally acknowledged that I’m rubbish at writing without musical stimulation.
I do have to point out that I can’t do a variety of things in my life without music. It has been that way my whole life. When I was a kid, I couldn’t go to sleep without the radio lulling me with dulcet tones of the Top 40’s (I mean, what’s more of a lullaby than early 90’s pop? Nothing, that’s what.). And if I couldn’t sleep or clean or workout or drive without music, you can bet I have difficulty reading without it, too.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve created soundtracks for the books I’m reading. In the 90’s this presented more of a challenge, as you couldn’t just easily craft a playlist of the best options. I depended on my trusty CD collection of movie soundtracks to usher along my consumption of the written word. And since I read a hell of a lot of historical romance, this meant numerous plays and repeats of Pride and Prejudice.
So that brings me to writing. I’m sure I’m not the only author out there who needs to craft themed playlists to get them “in the mood”. I spend a good deal of prep at the beginning of a manuscript just deciding on the best songs to help craft my narrative. And then I pay attention as I’m listening in my everyday life, adding songs as I go along that remind me of my story or my characters. At the end, I’m left with a rather substantial playlist from which I draw inspiration for my writing.
And I do think it helps. I’m able to put on my headphones, block out reality, and fully immerse myself in this world that I’m striving to create. It puts me into my story, in a way that nothing else really can.
For my new debut release, Echo Through the Stars, I’ve created this playlist of my favorite songs that inspired me during the writing process. I only included a few instrumental that were integral, and the rest are just generally good music in the book’s theme. Check it out on Spotify here and let me know what you think… can you hear Avery and Finn in it?
