I love this!! I never understood before how writers decided what songs to add to their book playlists, but your questions are awesome for making one. I'm practically done with my memoir, but this is so intriguing that I'm dying to make a memoir playlist now, lol. At this point I think it would probably be more of a distraction for me, but maybe I'll do it after I finish.
I'm listening to your LBB playlist now. I really like it! But I need to listen to music I'm already familiar with when I write.
As far as engaging with writing outside of sitting at my desk, I think about my stories a lot in the shower while listening to music and take notes on AquaNotes, which are waterproof and hang on the wall. I take long showers, lol. Last summer I also made a mockup of what I imagined my book would look like when it's published. I printed the cover out and wrapped it around another great book to give me good vibes. It's sitting on my shelf so I can glance at it every now and then. I posted it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfegURDFiIw/
It's interesting that you need to listen to music you're familiar with when you write. I am the opposite. If I am actually crafting new words/scenes I can't listen to music I know that has words. I get distracted and can't get my own words out. :) I usually listen to classical music and movie scores. Depending on what I'm writing, I often seek out horror scores to get me in the mood.
I also listen to classical music and movie scores while I write! I have some go to albums and playlists I listen to, but when I'm struggling to capture a specific vibe in my writing, I listen to a score that conveys similar emotions to the scene I'm working on.
The first book on writing I read was On Writing, by Stephen King. It's a great read and full of excellent advice. At the very least it's a good starting off point. I haven't read Writing in the Dark, but I will look that up. Thank you for the suggestion!
Thanks for this! I, too, always thought my writing friends with playlists were “playing” more than writing. I’ve always responded more to spoken words than music with lyrics, to the extent that I know nothing about current music. (The shame!) I listen to audiobooks when I’m performing routine tasks, and take along a notebook for walks when I’m pondering the question. (Thanks for the wind down routine!) You’ve helped me see how a character’s theme song (or songs related to the setting) could minimize the time and energy required to get into writing mode. I’m going to figure out a how-to!
Just finished The Highland Falcon Thief last night. It’s a middle grade mystery (my intended genre) by British authors M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Audio gives me a chance to “read” more broadly.
I am recently a big fan of podcasts. Often audio-dramas, but my tastes are kind of all over the place. I've also found listening to others telling stories helps me figure out how to tell my story.
I started trying to listen to podcasts a few years ago...a little before Covid, and I had no idea where to begin. Then I discovered a middle grade audio drama: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. It's a high production value drama: actors, sound engineers, all of it. We listened to it on a road trip (my kids were highly engaged, which was a surprise and a bonus! :) ). And that's what started my journey of discovering audio dramas.
I listen to a lot of other podcasts...How I Built This is a favorite for long car rides, but it's like good books for me...I have to have a few waiting in my TBL list so I can start another one once I've finished.
As previously confessed, I don't listen to a lot of music, but it does stimulate mood and emotion. And I love a shortcut. So I'm trying out this playlist idea, and it is sparking. And here's the shortcut. There's a novel that I would use as a comp (readers who like this novel will enjoy my book, too) only I can't use it as a comp because I'm NOBODY and this novel became a bestseller and a movie. I've only read it; I haven't seen the movie. But the movie has a soundtrack! Instant playlist. There's still work to do, because the soundtrack isn't a download, it's a CD. So I have to (insert music service of your choice here) get the songs individually. I've rejected a couple for not feeling right for me. This may be the equivalent of writing an essay using AI. But it has some promise.
This is great! And I appreciate now being able to say I'm writing when I'm building my next playlist...okay, okay, I guess it should pertain to the story, but still. lol
So, I actually made a couple playlists for the book I am rewriting. I know the characters (in my head) very well. And I know the setting and the time period when they met very well. So several months ago I decided to make playlists for the Protagonist and Antagonist as they relate to each other, and I made a playlist for the Antagonist (he's a vampire, so that's fun stuff). I didn't formally think about it, but I did think about each of the characters and particular situations, and where and when they exist. I love the idea of putting a more concrete spin on it. And using the playlist as a way to transition from one task to another is a fantastic idea.
I tried to make a Pinterest board for some of the characters. Adam, the vampire, has refined and specific tastes. So I've done a lot of looking into exclusive brands and long-established brands, so I compiled a lot of that information (I put a lot of it in the character pages in Scrivener). I also have celebrity photos for most of the characters, as a guide for what I see when I write. I don't think I'm a mood board person, but maybe I am and I don't realize it.
One thing I do is I take little snippets from people who give out writing advice (and I bookmark those sites so I can find them again), and I write those out on small post-its and stick them on the edge of my computer or on a makeshift (noncork) corkboard I have next to my computer so I can readily see them while I'm at my desk. Even if I'm not writing, I have those idea guides nearby.
I love this!! I never understood before how writers decided what songs to add to their book playlists, but your questions are awesome for making one. I'm practically done with my memoir, but this is so intriguing that I'm dying to make a memoir playlist now, lol. At this point I think it would probably be more of a distraction for me, but maybe I'll do it after I finish.
I'm listening to your LBB playlist now. I really like it! But I need to listen to music I'm already familiar with when I write.
As far as engaging with writing outside of sitting at my desk, I think about my stories a lot in the shower while listening to music and take notes on AquaNotes, which are waterproof and hang on the wall. I take long showers, lol. Last summer I also made a mockup of what I imagined my book would look like when it's published. I printed the cover out and wrapped it around another great book to give me good vibes. It's sitting on my shelf so I can glance at it every now and then. I posted it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfegURDFiIw/
Please share your memoir playlist if you make one!
I also need these AquaNotes in my shower.
LOVE this book cover you made. I'm tempted to make my own now.
Thank you! And I will!
It's interesting that you need to listen to music you're familiar with when you write. I am the opposite. If I am actually crafting new words/scenes I can't listen to music I know that has words. I get distracted and can't get my own words out. :) I usually listen to classical music and movie scores. Depending on what I'm writing, I often seek out horror scores to get me in the mood.
I also listen to classical music and movie scores while I write! I have some go to albums and playlists I listen to, but when I'm struggling to capture a specific vibe in my writing, I listen to a score that conveys similar emotions to the scene I'm working on.
You write horror? I'm thinking of trying that next! Any recommendations in terms of classes or books to read? I just bought Writing in the Dark.
The first book on writing I read was On Writing, by Stephen King. It's a great read and full of excellent advice. At the very least it's a good starting off point. I haven't read Writing in the Dark, but I will look that up. Thank you for the suggestion!
Yes, On Writing was good! I have so many craft books on my shelves to be read.
Thanks for this! I, too, always thought my writing friends with playlists were “playing” more than writing. I’ve always responded more to spoken words than music with lyrics, to the extent that I know nothing about current music. (The shame!) I listen to audiobooks when I’m performing routine tasks, and take along a notebook for walks when I’m pondering the question. (Thanks for the wind down routine!) You’ve helped me see how a character’s theme song (or songs related to the setting) could minimize the time and energy required to get into writing mode. I’m going to figure out a how-to!
Totally agree with what you said about playing versus writing. But I've been learning that sometimes I need to play in order to write.
What audiobook have you been listening to lately?
Just finished The Highland Falcon Thief last night. It’s a middle grade mystery (my intended genre) by British authors M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Audio gives me a chance to “read” more broadly.
I'm a big audiobook and podcast listener too (during routine tasks, I mean). I find other books can sometimes really spark my own writing!
I am recently a big fan of podcasts. Often audio-dramas, but my tastes are kind of all over the place. I've also found listening to others telling stories helps me figure out how to tell my story.
I didn't realize there were audio-dramas. I listen to advice podcasts, mostly about writing.
I started trying to listen to podcasts a few years ago...a little before Covid, and I had no idea where to begin. Then I discovered a middle grade audio drama: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. It's a high production value drama: actors, sound engineers, all of it. We listened to it on a road trip (my kids were highly engaged, which was a surprise and a bonus! :) ). And that's what started my journey of discovering audio dramas.
I listen to a lot of other podcasts...How I Built This is a favorite for long car rides, but it's like good books for me...I have to have a few waiting in my TBL list so I can start another one once I've finished.
This is the first I've heard of audio dramas! Very interested in this medium. Excited to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
One of my favorite podcasts is Slate's How To. Listeners ask for advice, and they get experts to talk to them about the different situations.
As previously confessed, I don't listen to a lot of music, but it does stimulate mood and emotion. And I love a shortcut. So I'm trying out this playlist idea, and it is sparking. And here's the shortcut. There's a novel that I would use as a comp (readers who like this novel will enjoy my book, too) only I can't use it as a comp because I'm NOBODY and this novel became a bestseller and a movie. I've only read it; I haven't seen the movie. But the movie has a soundtrack! Instant playlist. There's still work to do, because the soundtrack isn't a download, it's a CD. So I have to (insert music service of your choice here) get the songs individually. I've rejected a couple for not feeling right for me. This may be the equivalent of writing an essay using AI. But it has some promise.
Movie soundtracks! This is such a great hack. I'm going to listen to the soundtracks of my comps this week.
This is great! And I appreciate now being able to say I'm writing when I'm building my next playlist...okay, okay, I guess it should pertain to the story, but still. lol
So, I actually made a couple playlists for the book I am rewriting. I know the characters (in my head) very well. And I know the setting and the time period when they met very well. So several months ago I decided to make playlists for the Protagonist and Antagonist as they relate to each other, and I made a playlist for the Antagonist (he's a vampire, so that's fun stuff). I didn't formally think about it, but I did think about each of the characters and particular situations, and where and when they exist. I love the idea of putting a more concrete spin on it. And using the playlist as a way to transition from one task to another is a fantastic idea.
I tried to make a Pinterest board for some of the characters. Adam, the vampire, has refined and specific tastes. So I've done a lot of looking into exclusive brands and long-established brands, so I compiled a lot of that information (I put a lot of it in the character pages in Scrivener). I also have celebrity photos for most of the characters, as a guide for what I see when I write. I don't think I'm a mood board person, but maybe I am and I don't realize it.
One thing I do is I take little snippets from people who give out writing advice (and I bookmark those sites so I can find them again), and I write those out on small post-its and stick them on the edge of my computer or on a makeshift (noncork) corkboard I have next to my computer so I can readily see them while I'm at my desk. Even if I'm not writing, I have those idea guides nearby.
I'm also not a moodboard person, but I do have celebrity references for when I'm writing appearance. I relate to so much of this.
I'd love to listen to your playlist if you're open to sharing!