Writers’ Playlists: Music Behind the Story

In continuation of Paolini.net’s Music Month’s celebration, we asked authors to share their favorite playlists. We were thrilled with the numerous contributions and hope that you will find inspiration in this collection of music behind the story.

Stefan Bachmann

“This playlist is a bit of a strange mixture, but so is the book it goes with, so I felt it worked. My next book is called A Drop of Night, and it’s basically a YA thriller, but it takes place in both 18th century France and the modern day, and has various genres mixed into it, and two different writing styles, and I wanted music that set the tone and the mood for both of them. I wanted cold, sharp music, with a few sad and introspective cues, that gets slightly warmer as the book progresses. For the contemporary scenes I listened to a lot of driving action music, but also some pop/alternative because the main character is a bit of a punk. And of course most of the playlist is film music, because honestly, what’s better than film music?

Each of the songs below are for a specific scene in the book, and they’re roughly in chronological order. So, until I’m done working on a scene I’ll listen to one song endlessly on repeat to the point where everyone in the house is thoroughly annoyed with me. (Sorry, family!)”

~ Stefan Bachmann

Brandon Sanderson

A collection of the music that author Brandon Sanderson listens to while writing.

Rachel Hartman

Rachel Hartman’s writing playlist, past and present. For more information, check out her interview with Christopher Paolini here and here.

Karen Bao

Author Karen Bao listened to this song while fantasizing about writing. She’s recently released her debut novel, Dove Arising, with Viking Books. For more info, check out her interview with Christopher Paolini here and here.

Eleanor Glewwe

“The piece of music I most strongly associate with Sparkers, and particularly my main character Marah, is the Prelude from J. S. Bach’s Suite No. 2 in D minor for unaccompanied cello. It has an austere quality that evokes the city of Ashara in winter, and the more anguished parts remind me of what Marah goes through as she tries to save her brother and her best friend. When I was revising Sparkers, I would sometimes play this prelude to get myself in the right mood for working on the book. I’ve picked this version played by Rostropovich, but I also like János Starker’s faster, more urgent rendition.”

~ Eleanor Glewwe

Christopher’s Sci-fi Writing Music

Here is just some of the music that Christopher Paolini has been listening to while working on his latest project, a science fiction novel. For more information, click here.

KelTheHobbit

“My writing music is usually involves stringed instruments, celtic music, and movie soundtracks. The soundtrack to “The Secret of Roan Inish” has been on repeat on my iPod while writing my current novel. Something about a fiddle and a flute transports me to a place with lush green forests and clear mountain streams . . . a place where fairies exist and magic is real.”

~ kelthehobbit

Morowa-m

Spotify Playlist: The Book of Spells

• Vuelie: Frozen
• Transformation: Brother Bear
• Cantus – Song of the Plains: Essential
• Chorale VI (Sol Fa): Essential
• Dona Nobis Pacem (Part I): Vocalise
• Spiriti: The Rose
• Shadow of the Moon: Shadow of the Moon
• Dringo Bell: The Rose
• Rhiannon: Renaissance
• The Crystal Chamber – Score: Atlantis: The Lost Empier
• Middle Ages: Medieval Music The Wester Music of Middle Ages
• Diese Kalte Nact: Von den Elben
• Wolf Blood: Feather and Skull
• Glass Princess, Blood Night, Bed of Roses, Path to Darkness, Nest of
• Feinds: Queen of Thorns
• Part of the Pack, Druidic Dreams: The Celtic Collection II
• Undrentide: Temptation
• The Host of Seraphim (Remastered): The Sepernt’s Egg (Remastered)
• The Arrival and the Reunion (Remastered): Aion (Remastered)
• Yulunga (Spirit Dance): Wake
• Talia’s Theme: Colin Frake on Fire Mountain
• Aozaru~ The Sheath of Truth: Musical Suite of Twelve Dreams
• The Goddess and the Weaver: From the Mist
• Umlahi: Mirabilis
• Dance of the Wild Faeries: Deep Within a Faeri Forest
• Saint Declan’s Drone: Adiemus IV – The Eternal Knot
• Magic Touch: Behold
• Water, Earth and Fire: Behold
• A Hero Will Rise, Gods and Demons: A Hero Will Rise
• Sonera, Souleseeker: Illusions
• Black Blade, Invincible, Hypnotica: Invincible
• Cantus – Songs of Tears (Adiemus): Karl Jenkins & Adiemus: The Essential Collection
• Sanctus: Karl Jenkins The Armed Man
• Flying with Mother: How to Train Your Dragon 2
• Forbidden Friendship: How to Train Your Dragon
• Knocknagow Jig: Pye to Go
• Morderd’s Lullaby: The Secret World of Celtic Rock
• Come Little Children
• This is Halloween, Sally’s Song: Nightmare Revisited
• Runnin’: Trespassing (Deluxe Version)
• Lithium, Lacrymosa: The Open Door
• I See Fire: X
• The Hanging Tree: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1
• Everybody Wants To Rule The World: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
• Rain Dance: Adiemuss III – Dances of Time
• This Endris Night
• The Morrigan: Fairytale
• To the Fairies they Draw Near, To the Fairies they Draw Near Part II: Tinker Bell