I am on track with my revision of my friendship novel, Empty Cities! Since summer is going to be crazy for me (I’m getting married!), my goal is to entirely finish my revision by the end of June. I switched from tracking word count to tracking revised chapters, and as of right now I’m revising chapter 19 and want to finish up to chapter 23 by end of May, and then chapters 24-31 by June 28! It’s been really helpful having self-imposed deadlines, because it gives me something to work towards.
a part of my process
This newsletter I thought it would be fun to talk about one part of my writing process: music! I’m the kind of writer that almost always listens to music as I’m writing. When I put my headphones on and turn up the music to drown everything else out, it’s easier to disconnect from reality and hop into the world of my characters.
Rather than listening to music that matches the mood of what I’m writing, I usually listen to music that matches the mood I need to be in. I do gravitate towards a lot of pop and folk, because those are the genres I like.
I do listen to music with lyrics, though, because despite being a writer I don’t listen to lyrics of songs very much?? I think it’s the visual part of my brain - I need to see the text to really remember it or appreciate it.
my writing music
Sleepy writing sessions in need of an energy boost: Pop! Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Maggie Rogers, Maisie Peters… or any basic pop playlist. I also have a saved playlist that includes a lot of music from Cynthia Ervo, including “Stand Up” from the movie Harriet, which is such a good motivational song.
Late night moody writing sessions: A lifetime of writing after work at the end of the day has made me most productive late at night. (Only for writing weirdly; in everything else I’m a morning person.) Also there’s just something about late night writing… add in a window open with cool night air or rain… and put on moody, emotional or instrumental music like SYML, Jean-Michel Blais, Jeremy Dutcher, or Lizzy McAlpine.
Focus writing sessions: If I really need to focus, I’ll put on a playlist of indie folk songs because I find they’re often similar and can easily blend into the background. Instrumental music is sometimes okay for this too.
Really sad emotional writing sessions or when I’m in the zone: Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius or Julien Baker. Julien Baker’s “Turn Out the Lights” album is for when I really want my characters to break down.
my novel playlist
I’m not really one to make extensive playlists for my works in progress like some authors do (see, not paying attention to lyrics) but I have collected a few songs for my current novel. Empty Cities is about three friends, Aaron, Alycia and Violet, breaking apart and coming back together as they navigate their tumultuous first year after high school.
The song that I’m using as an epigraph and the current placeholder title inspiration, Abbie Bosworth’s Empty Cities. It’s all about friendship breakups. “I forgot that friends can break hearts much more thoroughly.”
we can’t be friends by Ariana Grande. I know this is talking about a romantic relationship, but some of the lines reminded me of my closed-off overachiever character Alycia: “I didn’t think you’d understand me. How could you ever even try?”
Home by Catie Turner. “I miss you when I least expect it. So when are you coming home?” Violet is living in France, on the side of the world from her friends, and experiencing the pain of long-distance relationships.
Kaleidoscope by Chappell Roan. “And love is a kaleidoscope; how it works I’ll never know / And even all the change, it’s somehow all the same.” Violet, Aaron and Alycia are figuring out how to love each other in this new stage of life, when everything’s changed but also it’s all kind of the same.
Claustrophobic by Naika. This whole song is all three POV characters as they navigate the uncertainties of newly adult life! “I’ve been feeling pretty useless. Don’t think that I can do this. I’ve lost all my motivation. I’m tired of the faking. Everybody seems to have it figured out.” An anthem for first year students.
The Walker by SYML. “Walk on with your burden. I will walk with you.” These friends are trying so hard to be there for each other, even if they fail. A lot.
Something Beautiful and Bright by SYML. This is the song for the end of the novel, when the characters come back together: “I was holding something beautiful and bright. I was frightened but I did not hide. Speaking holy words, the veil from my eyes. And I knew the hand I held so tight.”
I’d love to hear about your music tastes, writing or otherwise. What do you like to listen to? Any recommendations for songs to add to my novel playlist?
Happy May!!
Alyssa