The Tunes: Writing Music for THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE

 

I cannot write without music.

Full stop.

End of story.

My brain is wired to get down to business once the tunes start. Music keeps the skittish part of my brain occupied so the rest of it can get down to work. It’s the babysitter for my Id. Without it, I’m helpless against the myriad of distractions found on the vast interwebs.

I’m a bit obsessed with the tv show ARROW right now. Scroll down to see what’s so distracting. 

I have created several playlists for when I write. Some contain my most recent downloads, others are designed for a specific mood or scene, others are specific to the manuscript I’m working on.

Below are a few of the songs (in no particular order) that kept me focused and inspired while writing THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE and why they made the list.

“Distant Dreamer” by Duffy
Lou has big dreams, but she isn’t quite ready to reach out and grab them. She’s a distant dreamer.

“Bad Day” by Daniel Powter
The entire book happens because of one bad day. We’ve all been there.

“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
I love this song and Jason Mraz. His music is often my background music. I like to imagine Al singing this to Lou. Plus I really like the line “Our name is our virtue.” Seems relevant given the significance of names/nicknames/pen names in C3.

“I Want to Break Free” by Queen
Lou’s anthem, even if she doesn’t know it in the first chapter.

“In Praise of a Vulnerable Man” by Alanis Morissette
Yes, yes, and yes! By the end of the book, I think this is a song Lou can relate to.

“Lover” by Devendra Banhart
A fun, flirty, smexy song.

“Not Like the Movies” by Katy Perry
This is such an honest song about love – a little sad and a little hopeful.

“The Park East Polkas” by Gaelic Storm
Gaelic Storm regularly plays at Irish Fest and wrote this song in honor of their post concert rooftop parties on the East side of Milwaukee.

“Syrup & Honey” by Duffy
This is the sexiest song ever. All love scenes should play this in the background. All of them.

The Four Seasons concertos by Vivaldi
C3 takes place over the course of one year and I intentionally framed it by seasons. I write best to classical music, so I’d play these pieces when I really needed to crank out some words.

“Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt
This helps me get into a really sad place when I’m writing. This came in handy when I wrote one particular scene (and I still cry when I read it).

“Blackbird” (Glee version with Chris Colfer)
I love this version of the song. And I also love it because this is when Blaine finally falls in love the Kurt on Glee – so that ‘new love’ realization is in the background when I listen to it.

“Englishman in New York” by Sting
Al’s British. No other reason.

“One Man” by West of East
This is a beautiful, romantic song written by a local duo (and high school friends). They make a brief appearance in C3. Look for them in the Summerfest scene.

Distracting, right?

Share your music lists in the comments!