In the old days, you could write a book, mention maybe one song (if that), and go on as if nothing happened. In the modern world, a book can have an actual playlist thanks to music streaming sites. Here’s the one for my first book:
This isn’t music that I listened to while writing it; this is the music that’s mentioned in the book. Most of these aren’t mere “mentions,” though: I try to weave music into the book as an integral part. The songs reveal character (“School Boy Heart” and Karl), touch on an underlying theme of the book (“Once in a Lifetime”), are an actual part of the plot (two songs by U2), act as a prelude/foreshadowing (“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and “Head Over Heels”), or reveal a connection between characters that spans both distance and time (“Happy Up Here” and “Hug My Soul”).
Eileen and Richard connect through music for opposite, though equally-powerful reasons. As a ballerina, music has been a huge part of Eileen’s life, so she’s used to expressing her feelings through music. Richard, on the other hand, isn’t great with words when he’s around her, and their distance and remoteness makes it easier for him to communicate with her. After all, it’s easier to avoid saying the wrong thing if you don’t say it in words. (Which, of course, has problems of its own.)
I think it’s important to make a book bigger than itself; it needs to reach into the real world and absorb more than just other words. Music is a way to do this on another level, as music touches almost everyone in a way that no other form of art can. A well-constructed song even mirrors the structure of a good story.
Looking for good music to write to? One album I find particularly brain-enhancing is Alizée’s Une Enfant Du Siècle. It’s creative but not intrusive, and the tracks vary so your brain never gets a chance to get in a rut. Alizée’s voice is soft and inviting, and not speaking French might actually be an advantage since you can just focus on the sound.
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