Music as Author Muse

I’ve begun sharing my playlist with my husband. It was probably a mistake, because now he thinks I have a split personality based on my music choices.

For kicks and giggles, I scrolled through my playlist for the past Undertow books and, well, yes – it appears I’m musically bi-polar. My musical preferences range wildly, but my daughter, who also shares my playlist, loves most of the songs. I introduce her to my teenhood with girl bands like Hole, and she shows me Elle King. It works.

The truth is we, as people, are never just one musical genre, but a smash up of many depending on our mood. The same goes for me as a writer. The vibe and feel of a character or a given scene is driven by the music I listen to in my car or when I’m working out. It’s my inspiration.

My muse.

Basically, I’d be screwed without my music and, at this rate, I’ll need to build iTunes into my will.

Sometimes my playlist is also built by my fans, who toss out suggestions they think fit the series or a character. Often, I go and check out what they suggested because it shows me how THEY see the story through THEIR eyes. It tells me if my vision of the story comes through to the reader.

So, without further nonsense, below is my current running playlist for TRUE NORTH (well, part of it at least). Enjoy! And yes . . . I’m a rocker at heart.

Are you a writer? Do you play it loud and often? Share your #musicmuse and #authorplaylist with me on Twitter and tag me – @sharkprose. Let’s throw some love to those who tell their stories through the thrum of an electric guitar and the beat of a base drum :)