How I Write Novels

A Playlist will Bring Your Novel Alive — Before it’s Written

1 Trick I’ve Used To Write 5 Novels

Building a playlist for my newest project.

When I’m writing a book, a playlist connects me to my characters and my story. I build this playlist by adding songs I come into contact with that correlate to any aspect of the project, as I move from imagining that fictional world to actually writing it. A few examples:

• characters
• setting
• emotional arcs
• regional/historical sounds

I always enjoy building this playlist because it’s a way to world build that isn’t on the page or just in my mind. And this kind of “off-site” project, although technically “work,” is work I can do when I’m not actually able to be behind my desk, and which will, in turn, feed that same need down the line, when I need to feel connected to my book but am not able to sit with the actual book itself.

As the playlist becomes more robust, I listen when…

• I’m doing housework
• answering my email
• driving carpool
• and hanging with my kids

… just to name a few.