There's nothing better than curling up on the couch with your novel and a good song to set the mood. While not everyone likes to write with music, there are plenty of us who need that additional inspiration to guide us through our craft. I'm one of those people who can listen to the same song on repeat for hours on end because it elicits a certain emotion that keeps me going.
Music has always been important in my life. When I was a kid, I remember listening to the Little Mermaid soundtrack. I could tell my mom what was happening based on the music. And I'm not talking about the songs with lyrics. I mean the instrumental pieces. I played the clarinet in middle school. My dad introduced me to the world of opera and operetta (still love it that Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street was the first operetta I attended). I also loved musicals like Cats, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Rent, etc. I learned how music can tell a story, not just in the lyrics, but with the instruments alone.
As I got older, I started creating my own stories to the music. I'd pick a song like Vivaldi's "Winter" and I'd sit back, close my eyes, and try to imagine a story that was happening through the music. Characters sprang to life. Icy forests caught in a snowy storm. Snow fairies darting through tree branches and bushes. It wasn't just music to me; it became an entire world.
So I started collecting songs that did several things for my writing; created the world, represented my characters, and quieted my mind. I made playlists that were 40 songs long because they all reminded me of my characters or world in some way. Right now, Naomi Scott's "Speechless" from the new Aladdin movie is my song of choice. The lyrics remind me of one of my characters who survived an abusive relationship and came out stronger than ever. Some of the lyrics like "I will take these broken wings / and watch me burn across the sky" make me think of my character who literally has a phoenix living inside of her.
So what can you do to help you get into the creative mood using music?
Character Playlists: Find music that reminds you of characters. I pick out lyrical songs for most of these because the words invoke feelings about the characters and what they've gone through in their lives. I used to create separate playlists per book, but sometimes when I don't know what to write, I just put them all on shuffle and see which character speaks to me the most.
World-building Playlists: I mostly choose instrumental music for these, but having lyrical songs that represent your story's time frame or world can be just as useful. James Horner's "Avatar" and Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks are definitely ones I use for my fantasy/medieval stories. On the flip side, I might use pop music or gothic rock (thank you Within Temptation and Evanescence) for my urban fantasy world because it just fits the setting and the characters. Play around. See what catches your attention.
Mood Playlist: I also create playlists that have nothing to do with my characters or worlds. These are generally songs that I know won't distract me from writing and will actually sooth me if I'm stressed out. Some easy choices are meditation soundtracks with water, music, and soothing chimes or bells. Another day, I might replay the "Night King" from the Game of Thrones' season 8 soundtrack 15 times. Right now, I'm listening to "Lord of the Rings Music & Ambiance." Most of my mood music is a mix between gentle or sad. It's rare, but sometimes I'll have louder, head banging music. Again, it depends on the mood. But this might help you get into the groove of writing. Turn on your playlist, settle into a comfortable spot, and get writing!
There are also fun programs out there where you can create your own ambiance. Check out Ambient Mixer. Maybe you want to spend an afternoon in the Gryffindor common room or explore Rivendell. Perhaps Loki's quarters are much more to your liking. You can listen to premade background music or make your own.
Everyone has their own tastes in music and their own ways to get into the writing mood. What do you do? Do you have favorite songs that inspire you? How do you find them? Feel free to post below.
Happy writing and listening!