How to Create a National Novel Writing Month Soundtrack: Rock NaNoWriMo with a Music-Mapped Novel

Many writers use music to inspire the progress of their writings. Personally, I enjoy having any music playing in the background; having music that fits a scene or character I'm trying to write helps even more. This November, if you plan on attempting National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short), consider taking the in-between time of October to create one or more novel-concept play lists: that is, a few different play lists for anything you think might happen in your NaNoWriMo novel or any different plots you're considering writing. Here are a few tricks for creating the perfect NaNoWriMo play list.

Find Your MC Theme

One of the first steps to developing a great NaNoWriMo play list is finding the perfect theme song for your Main Character (MC) or characters. Find a song that captures the essence of your character; if it's a romantic female, for example, look for a romantic ballad or an instrumental track that makes your heart swell. For a rough-around-the-edges male lead, look for songs that come with a rough-around-the-edges sound. Below are a few sample MC-types with suggested theme songs.

1. A modern-day cowboy-type on a mission: "One More Cup of Coffee" by Bob Dylan

2. A college graduate/corporate worker returning home for the first time in several years: "Song for the Road" by David Ford

3. A father reflecting on his relationship with his daughters: "Turn Around" by Kenny Loggins

4. A twenty-something female on a cross-country journey of self-discovery: "Clair de Lune" as performed by Louise Thomas

Find Your Antagonist's Theme

Even your most unsavory character deserves his or her own theme! Whether it reflects the character himself, or simply inspires you to write her devious acts, picking the song or songs to constantly take you back to that place of inspiration is key. Below are some Antagonist-types with suggested themes. One fun trick with an antagonist's theme is to pick a song that might not seem to fit the character. For example, "Believe it Or Not" is usually a happy song, but if it annoys you (or would annoy your main character) it could be a fun pick for your antagonist's theme.

1. The seductress (a seductress may not seem like an antagonist, but think what she could mean to a faithful husband): "I Put a Spell on You" by Nina Simone

2. A serial killer: "Proven Lands" (from There Will Be Blood) by Jonny Greenwood

3. Your MC's overbearing, unjust employer: "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" by B.J. Thomas

4. An ex-girlfriend/boyfriend: "Fair" by Ben Folds

Note: These are the two main character-types you should choose "themes" for. However, it is also perfectly acceptable to choose songs for some, if not all, of your minor characters. If you have two or three main characters, choose themes for each of them. If there is a particularly important relationship between two or more of your characters, find a theme that expresses that relationship. Choose as many "themes" as you think necessary to set the character-tone of your novel.

Choose "Scene" Songs

Many NaNoWriMo novelists make outlines of their novels before taking on the task of writing them. Whether it's a list of key scenes or a fully flesh-out novel timeline, NaNoWriMo participants like having an idea of where their novels are going before they have to get them there! This year, in addition to your novel outline, choose songs that go with each scene. A ballad for a romantic dinner; a loud, thumping song for a fight. Whatever song suits your fancy is the song for your scene. Like your character themes, scene songs should be songs you can stand to listen to on "Repeat" several times. Pick your tracks and set them to repeat as you write their corresponding scenes. This way, you have the inspiration with you through the whole scene. Want an extra challenge for your NaNoWriMo novel? Try this scene song selection method!

1. Write out a brief description for each scene; give your scenes titles, like "First Date," "Wedding Scene" or "Final Battle."

2. Open your media player, or turn on your CD/mp3 player.

3. Set your player to "Random" and click play. Whichever song begins to play is the song you'll use to write your scene.

Sometimes this method works out really well. Using it myself, I've sometimes come out with songs like "You Go to My Head" by Frank Sinatra for a Romantic Dinner scene. At the same time, songs sometimes give you an interesting challenge. I once wound up with "Love You" by the Free Design for a break-up song. Think of how, in some movies, a nice romantic melody plays during a murder. What would happen if a song like Gnarls Barkley's "Necromancer" played during your MC's first date? Play with the challenges you are presented with. See what happens when the song you wind up with is the exact opposite of what you'd expect.

When it comes to a NaNoWriMo soundtrack, don't forget that your soundtrack is your creation. Maybe you use nothing but instrumental tracks; I personally find it easier to concentrate on my writing with instrumentals, though on occasion the perfect vocals make a song irresistible for a particular scene. Maybe you're writing a novel set in the 1940's and want a soundtrack with nothing but Big Band music. Maybe you're a Sinatra fan, so each scene must match a Sinatra song. Maybe your soundtrack isn't music at all; a collection of natural or city sounds, like cars passing or people talking, or beach sounds, might be what give you the perfect sound for your novel. The music, or sounds, you choose is completely up to you. And it is never set in stone; if a song just isn't working (i.e., "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" for a funeral scene), feel free to change it! Have fun, experiment, and get those fifty thousand words written whatever way you can!