For me, writing and music go hand in hand. I make soundtracks for NaNoWriMo and other novels. I make playlists for my characters, including songs that illustrate them as well as songs they would listen to. I write to music. (So long as it's music I've picked out and have control over. Plop me down in a cafe where the Muzak Masters are loudly butchering a Beatles' tune and we're going to have a problem.)
Determining a character's liked or loved songs is one of the first steps, for me, to developing some depth. Making them more human. More real.
Below are a few tunes from Gabriel's playlist. Gabriel comes from my '09 NaNoWriMo novel (which I will get around to editing and rewriting one of these days, I swear). I think he's more anti-hero than hero. Which is fine with me, I've always preferred my heroes a bit dark. He grew up with an abusive father and a mother who'd learned to stay out of the fray. His closest friend and confidante was a strangely insightful girl, Elissa. They looked out for one another until life circumstances separated them.
(Get a taste of Gabriel and Elissa's relationship by checking out Without Words and its follow up Settling Scores.)
Do you make playlists for your characters?
1. Animal I Have Become - Three Day's Grace
2. Until the End - Breaking Benjamin
3. Everything Goes to Hell - Tom Waits
4. Like A Killer - Scarling
5. Rangers - A Fine Frenzy
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11 comments:
Lindsey: What a great idea...a charater play list. I will have to give this some thought. I'm a fiction writer as well and I believe the kind of music a person listens to says a lot about them. I found you on the a to z blog challenge. Looking forward to reading more.
I don't make playlists - In fact, I can't listen to music when I write. I find that, if I've got someone else's creativity playing in my ears, I focus too much on their words and not my own. But I do like the idea of making playlists for my characters - Interesting concept. That I may have to try.
That's interesting. I also listen to music when I write and I'll sometimes include music in the text, but I've never made an entire song list for a character.
Glad to inspire some new thinking. :)
Welcome to the blog. I hope you enjoy it.
I have those moments. I have to "know what I'm doing"--for want of a better phrase--before I can write with music on. If I'm starting a new story or working with new characters, the music is often an impediment.
I've been in and out of fandoms for years; that's where I picked up the playlist component. A lot of people will make mixes for their favorite characters or favorite pairings. So, I figured, why not do it for my own?
Thanks for dropping by.
I love looking at other people's playlists for their writing, but it's rare if I can write to music myself. It's too distracting for me. I can have the TV on, but only certain shows that I've watched before or don't have to pay close attention to.
Wow, talking about a new dimension to your characters! I am always fascinated by people's music choices. What we listen to really does say something about us and our character. Cool idea and a couple of good songs! ~Brandon
What a neat concept. I've never thought of creating a character playlist. I might have to give this a try sometime!
I often can only write to music when I'm already "on the path." That is: I know - sort of - what I'm doing.
Though, sometimes I'll use music for an exercise that help get me on the path. (I'll probably post about that at a later date.)
Thanks for dropping by.
Glad to be the bearer of new ideas. :)
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