Music

I listen to a shit-ton of music. There, I've said it. I think I listen to most genres, but there are certain pieces which really inspire me to write. In that case it's often musical theatre or instrumental, but either way music really helps me to get a scene to work or to get into characters heads. I don't know what it is but I can't go a day without going through my iTunes library a couple of times.

I thought I'd share with you a couple of songs that have inspired scenes/help me write, in particular those that I'm listening to a lot recently.

Pruit Igoe - Philip Glass

This piece fits perfectly with the first chapter of my novel. That particular chapter is from the antagonists point of view and really sets the mood and fits what's going through his head. Around the 2:32 mark is where it really starts to get dark, fitting in with the chapter as things take a more malevolent turn (right up until 6:00 where the chapter ends).

Astonishing - Sutton Foster

I love this song. Seriously it speaks to me on a level that I can't quite explain. Whilst the first part (when Jo is singing about the proposal) doesn't really fit, the very essence of the song fits perfectly with my protagonist, Linn. There is a point where she realises what she needs to do, that she too wants to be astonishing and that she doesn't need anyone else to tell her what to do anymore.

Let Them Come - Caleb Hyles

This is the 'Game of Thrones' version of Frozen's Let it Go and I love it. I know it's based on Game of Thrones but it fits my antagonist perfectly (save for a few words which only work with GoT) and I can imagine him singing this at the beginning of the novel. It's sung really well and this song is just so badass that it makes me want to run around with a sword. Shhh. ;)

Defying Gravity - Wicked

 This may be my favourite song. Ever. Whilst the GoT version of Let it Go is the empowering song that I can totally imagine my antagonist singing, this is the one that goes with my heroine, Linn, alongside Astonishing. It's just so powerful and strong and if I'm honest it makes me want to paint my face green.

Addicted to a Certain Lifestyle - Sherlock

This piece breaks my heart. I imagine my other protagonist, Kalan (I have two, him and Linn) playing this on the piano at the beginning of the novel. It also links to when a certain character dies and I can't go through it without getting sad because I love that character. This music has so much sadness in it and I can picture exactly what my characters are going to go through that I just can't. The feels.

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

This song really gets me into the head of Kalan. It's not really the words (because I doubt he's thinking of mosquitos and albinos) but the sound of it is just like him. Even if he isn't a teenager and I doubt he smells of their spirit (lol) the passion and fire of the song just reminds me of him.

There are so many more songs that inspire me to write. My Honour Among Thieves playlist is huge and growing, yet at the moment these are some of the main songs that help me write. I know some people can only write in silence but it drives me crazy if there isn't anything in the background to listen to.

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent - Victor Hugo