One Week to Go

Well, next week is the start of something amazing, National Novel Writing Month! So, to begin the count to it I thought I would share this year's writing playlist.

I am a firm believer that every book ever written has a soundtrack even if the author was conscious of it while writing it. That soundtrack could be rain hitting a window, the sound of their surroundings, or actual music. Music inspires me and really helps me set the tone of what I write. Try making a playlist for your story or let a playlist create itself by hitting shuffle on your choice of music player.

Well, here is my list (in no particular order), I hope it inspires you!

1. Arsonist's Lullaby by Hozier
2. Kansas City by The New Basement Tapes
3. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't by Brand New
4. Wild Sun by The Strumbellas
5. This is Gospel by Panic! At the Disco
6. Talk Too Much by Coin
7. Critical Mistakes by 888
8. Bad, Bad, Bad by LANY
9. Battle of Who Could Care Less by Ben Folds Five
10. Do You Remember? by Jarryd James
11. Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran
12. Got You (Where I Want You) by the Flys
13. How Soon is Now? by the Smiths
14. I'll Catch You by the Get Up Kids
15. Life Itself by Glass Animals
16. Mess is Mine by Vance Joy
17. The Mother We Share by Chvrches
18. Settle Down by 1975
19. Vacancy by Socialburn
20. Ditmas by Mumford and Sons
21. Rainy Girl by Andrew MacMahon in the Wildness

The Best Mix Tape I Have

The one thing that inspires me more than anything else is music. In fact, my first NaNoWriMo story has its very own soundtrack. 

Sometimes I would be inspired by a song I heard on the radio, other times I would put my iTunes on shuffle and would write down the first 20 or so songs that played. 

I am always on the hunt for new-to-me-music. I love looking at Spotify playlists and asking Siri what song is playing while I'm out shopping. 

One thing I like to do is to make a soundtrack by putting my MP3 on shuffle and these answering questions/statements in the order they play with them. Here is an example:

Opening Credits:Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars

Waking Up:
The Taste of Ink by The Used

Falling In Love:
Settle Down by The 1975

Breaking Up: 
Trojans (Acoustic) by Atlas Genius

Prom:
Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

Mental Breakdown:
Bonnie Brae by The Twilight Singers

Flashbacks:
Stories by Trapt

Getting Back Together:
Anna Begins by The Counting Crows

Wedding Scene:
The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves

Final Battle:
What It Is to Burn by Finch

Death Scene:
The Ghost of You by My Chemical Romance

Funeral Song:
Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World

End Credits:
The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves

Finale:
Into the Ocean by Blue October

There are also so many other lists similar to this on Pinterest and Tumblr. Some are geared more towards dystopia or science fiction or romance. With the list I just did, when looking at the songs, I feel like I have some wiggle room with genre. It could be a YA romance. It could be a coming of age story. It could be a sci-fi YA romance set in a dystopia. That is the amazing thing about music, it can inspire you in a million different ways!!

I hope this gives you some ideas on finding inspiration in the music around you, whether you are just starting out or just need a push, I really believe music is the biggest help and inspiration ever!!