These are the playlists I write to, when I’m trying to get into a very specific kind of writing headspace.
I’ve found that I can’t write to songs with lyrics because I hear all the words, and I can’t use a mixed writing playlist, because the emotions might not hit right for what I’m trying to achieve. This is my solution!
A playlist for writing romance
All romance books are about one theme: love conquers all... That journey from hole-hearted to whole-hearted is the romance arc for each character. ― Gwen Hayes
Sweet // Romantic is a playlist for when you’re bringing characters together.
A playlist for writing humour
I’ll take A Midsummer Night’s Dream over Hamlet every time. Any fool with steady hands and a working set of lungs can build up a house of cards and then blow it down, but it takes a genius to make people laugh.― Stephen King
Upbeat // Quirky is a playlist for when you need to add a touch of comedy.
A playlist for writing action
In the exposition we put a pot of water on the stove; getting the action to rise is making the water boil.― George Saunders
Excitement // Action is a playlist for when you need to feel the thrill.
A playlist for writing tension
A scene without conflict is a scene without tension... which is to say, a scene that gives us no reason to read it. ― Chuck Wendig
Anxious // Tension is a playlist for when you need to amp up the conflict.
A playlist for writing about hope and resilience
Novels ought to have hope; at least, American novels ought to have hope. French novels don’t need to.― Anne Lamott
Hope // Resilience is a playlist for when you’re writing those moments of lift.
A playlist for writing about loss
No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.― Robert Frost
Bittersweet // Sorrow is a playlist for when you’re writing scenes about loss.