A WIP Playlist
I was supposed to write a newsletter this week, but between ~other things happening (work, my second vaccine dose on Friday, personal drama), I really couldn’t figure out what I wanted to say. I can usually come up with something on the fly, my newsletter subscribers can attest to the seemingly random nature of my posts (subscribe if you haven’t yet, by the way!) , but yesterday, I just didn’t have the words.
I’m going to blame it on this WIP which, for the first time ever, actually has a deadline, oh my. My inner Capricorn loves the idea of a deadline, of a fixed schedule, but writing is still something that needs time and room to breathe, thanks Libra Moon. Hahaha.
But I have to admit, music has been more than helpful in my writing. It helps set the mood, take me to places that I created, remember the headspace I need to be in writing a scene. I like writing to music so much that playlists have been incredibly helpful. And for this WIP (another Laneways story, yay!), I thought I would share some of the songs I’ve had on repeat for it. Here’s the mood board:
Further announcements about this book forthcoming! Just saying.
Devotion - The Staves
My Spotify Wrapped will tell you that The Staves are one of my favorite artists of all time, and their newest album, Good Woman, came out while I was writing and crying my way through the first draft of this book.
This track (along with Good Woman and Waiting on Me To Change) have the same themes as the story. This in particular, I really wanted the characters to discuss, in particular, when to walk away, and how easy/difficult that choice is. A lot of me writing this book has been grappling with this line. And “devotion be the death of me” really hits hard.
A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
I heard this song in Practical Magic first, that scene where Nicole Kidman drives home when Sandra Bullock is in pain, and it was a nice scene of her just enjoying the trip. It’s been on rotation for this WIP because I like to think my characters are much the same way, willing to drive several hours just to see and support each other.
And it’s a nice song. It gives me Lipa vibes, where things are quiet-er and steady, where its easier to kind of let go of some things and just sing those higher notes.
Euphoria - BTS
Wow Carla, you’re ARMY? I hear you asking. Yes friends! I am fully embracing this new lifestyle, and I like to think that i really started to go in deep because of this song! Jungkook’s voice is like silken butter here, and always feels like he’s singing to you. And I wanted this story to have this same sense of happiness, that pure joy of someone being the cause of another’s happiness. BTS’ lyrical wordplay goes over my head a lot of the time, but “you are the cause of my euphoria” is stuck in my heart.
So here we are. Honestly the whole Love Yourself: Answer album might be my favorite (Epiphany???? Serendipity???? Trivia: Love??? Trivia: Seesaw!!! IDOL!!!) but Euphoria will always have a special place in this WIP.
Relating to Psychopath - Macy Gray
I’m not too sure if this song is problematic in 2021, but it’s stayed with me for so long that it fits perfectly with this WIP. Ever since I saw Cadet Kelly with the two characters angrily twirling things at each other (I don’t remember what it’s called?) I’ve related hard to this song.
This is one of those books i’ve written (the other being Stealing Luna) where there’s a very obvious villain, and there’s no redeeming them. And it feels like banging against a wall sometimes, having to be in the same space around them. I’ve always thought this Macy Gray song depicts that frustration perfectly.
Gondry - Primay & Oh Hyuk (feat. Lim Kim)
Carla, what’s the secret to writing a good sex scene? Music. HAHAHA. And with lyrics like staying under warm blankets, if the sunlight covers us, it’ll melt, and those strings in the background? Be still my beating heart. And perfect in particular for Kira and Santi.