Musically Speaking…

I cannot write without music.

It’s been this way as long as I can remember. All of my stories, novels and even poems are heavily influenced by music, be it the mood, metaphors, references and nods or outright quotes. In this aspect, my writing – my art – reflects life: if the TV is off, the music is on Chez Dillon. I breathe lyrics, exhale melody.

Each character has his or her own preferences in music; I often shape mini-playlists for core personalities in my work. It is extremely beneficial that I love a wide variety of music from multiple genres; it allows me to craft, say, an angsty teen obsessed with Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Tool and Amon Amarth, then craft another who prefers pop-folky female songwriters like Tegan and Sara, Jewel, or Christina Perri.

Change of Season is no exception. My first step after jotting down a rough sketch of the plot that flashed through my mind was to craft a starting playlist for writing, one that captured our protagonist through past and present. I run with at least 200 songs for a project, but it’s typically much more. The current playlist for this novel is at 539 tracks and counting, as new songs pop up mid-chapter and say, “I belong here!”

While you await further teasers and the finished novel itself, I thought it might be nice to give you a glimpse into the sonic landscape of the novel. Without further babble then, a short-ish list of key songs to welcome you into the world of Casteel Preparatory Academy.

Black Balloon – The Kills