My Novel and My Music (featuring one of my book's characters)

DAY 152 - 26/1/6 -

I can't whistle. Spent a lot of years trying, but I've yet to have success. Because of this, I've often wondered, "What am I supposed to do while I'm working?" The answer: Listen to Spotify, of course. The music I listen to helps me stay focused, and it inspires my creativity. I'd like to tell you more, but I want to go beyond just writing about it.

So, to liven things up, I've asked someone special to help me out. This topic is of great importance to her, because these songs made her the character she is. Without further ado, let me introduce you to an amazing fictional woman, who goes by the name of...

 

No! You can't say it. That would ruin it.

 

Oh. You're right. I guess I got excited about my readers meeting you.

 

Well, save it for when the book comes out. For now, no names.

 

But, who do I tell them you are?

 

How should I know? You'll think of something. 

[10 sec. Pause]

Or maybe you won't. Should we get on with it then?

 

Why not?

 

Who's asking the questions here? Me or you?

[5 sec. Pause]

Alright. Question 1: What kind of music did you listen to, as you typed your novel?

 

I listened to mostly soundtracks. Early on I discovered that anything with lyrics was too distracting, but I could type quicker if I listened to instrumental songs.

Last year I listened to nearly
23 and a half days' worth of music.

You listen to anything instrumental?

 

Not anything. The music needs to suit the atmosphere of the scene I'm writing. For instance, in my first chapters, there's a dusty town with an old saloon. When I wrote those scenes, I wanted my readers to conjure up the wild streets of those spaghetti westerns; the ones with the music by Ennio Morricone. Since the town was designed around those songs, with their haunting harmonicas and striking guitars, I decided to name the town Ennio.

 

You made a reference to music in your novel?

 

I made a bunch. These songs had such an influence on me that I caught myself writing musical references in nearly every chapter. Most of these references are subtle, but some are obvious; meant to be direct shout-outs to specific artists.

 

Who are some of your favorite music artists?

 

There were a few people who had this natural poetry in their lyrics. I wanted to imbue that kind of lyrical rhythm into my novel. Twenty-One Pilots and Hikaru Utada were definitely the top two, but I also enjoyed Relient K and Tenth Avenue North.

It's subtle, but my book features a lyric
lifted from one of the songs on this album.
Maybe you'll find it, when you read it.

But you said you can't listen to anything with lyrics while you're typing.

 

I don't, but I do when I'm editing. Besides, Utada sings in Japanese. I write in English. By the way, her song "Keep Tryin'" was my number one played song on Spotify last year.

 

Truly uninteresting. Alright. Question 2...

 

We didn't get there yet?

 

Question 2: Why am I here?

 

Wait? You don't know? I thought it was obvious.

 

Why should it be?

 

Because you sing. Don't you remember? In the first four chapters, you sing two songs.

 

I suppose...but why do I sing in the first place? Why'd you write me that way?

 

Because songs are a touchstone of culture. They give people an inside look into the core values of a civilization. When someone studies a nation's lyrics, they learn a great deal about its people; what they admire and abhor. These little ditties that people hum reinforce ideals or promote new concepts. In short: Songs are one of the quickest ways to see the deepest parts of a human's soul.

 

[10 sec. Pause]

You just wanted to copy Tolkien. Right?

 

Uh...maybe.

 

Thought so. And this concludes my evaluation.

 

You were evaluating me?

 

And from my research, I've determined that you are an old style mallgoth who pretends that movie scores are of the same caliber as Mozart. Chances are, you have an acute superiority complex.

 

I'm not mallgoth. I'm alternative.

 

As alternative as the kid who brings a ukulele to talent night—along with the other five kids who did the same. Trust me.

 

I'm not mallgoth.

 

And with that, I'm going to head out. Let me know if I should stop by again. This was fun.

 

[30 sec. Pause]

I'm not mallgoth. Am I?

My Spotify of 2024 thinks so.