The Power of Music

By V.S. Morgan

I LOVE music.  I listen to all types of music, although Rock, pop, and Latin music tends to be what I turn to most often. About four years ago, I saw authors posting playlists of songs that had inspired them as they wrote their books.  As a reader, I thought this was the coolest thing ever. I often found new-to-me music. Some of my favorite bands today came from exploring these lists. While I don’t listen to music while reading, I found myself thinking of the story long after I’ve finished it because I’d associated it with a song or songs I was listening to.

When I embraced my writing dream, it was very natural to integrate music into the process. I listen to music to inspire, to visualize (like a movie soundtrack), and to focus on specific feelings such as anger, loneliness, and love.

When I wrote fanfiction, I posted playlists.  It was great to see readers respond with positive comments about their own music experiences based on my posts. 

Today I’d like to share what inspired me as I wrote The Gift.  Four songs were on repeat the majority of the time.  “Far Away” by Nickelback was a great song to concentrate on the feelings of loneliness and longing after a separation and hope – important in my reunion story.

“For Your Entertainment” by Adam Lambert reminded me to add some playfulness to the BDSM play in the story.  Rafael is a true Dom, but he’s not afraid to add some lightness to his scenes.

To embrace the sensual nature of the work, I listened to “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse and “In the Darkness” by Dead by Sunrise (side band of Chester Bennington, one of the lead singers of Linkin Park). 

I chose a romantic piece with Spanish guitars fitting Rafael’s background for my book video.  However, if copyright wasn’t an issue, I would have used Adam Lambert’s new song “Chokehold.”

So do you like to associate music with stories, either as a reader or a writer? What are some of your favorite songs to do so?

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