Funny how you can forget something from a day or two ago, yet a song comes on and you can remember every word. To paraphrase a commercial, music is the fabric of our life.
And when it comes to writing, it should be a part of our characters' lives, too, right?
Just as you have characters in a story or book see, smell and taste things, so, too, they hear sounds around them. Music can set a mood, be there for atmosphere, or accent a character's actions.
While my character Becca in GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie is 16, which implies that she has her own generation's musical tastes, (her cousin has a Lady Gaga tune for her phone), I chose to have a Beatles' song come on the car radio as Becca's driving.
The song not only made her think of missing her mother and worrying about where she is as zombies roam the area, but it also shows that some songs and bands (the good ones at least!) not only last, but can be enjoyed by all ages. It's always nice to see younger kids express interest in "older" music, so I wanted to include that in the book.
Music is something we enjoy... so our characters should, too, right?
* For fun and a bit of nostalgia, check out some of the top songs from 1970 - there's also links for other years. Got a favorite? (I see several I liked on the list - and still do: Layla, Close to You, Let it Be.)
I love, love, love music. I listen to it all the time. My preferred genre of choice is country. Not only does music provide a quick pick-me-up or jolt of energy, it often provides inspiration for my books. I've based entire books on songs or lines in songs.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do love how songs have a way of bringing memories to life.
We actually saw some of the performers on that list - Simon & Garfinkel, also Jim Hendrix! Good idea about including music to further define a book character.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a country music lover, like Debra, but also enjoy easy listening, and Bon Jovi as well.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
i do like all kinds and yes, a disco fan too! ha!
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