Seeking inspiration

Using music to be inspired, and trying not to get distracted

If music be the food of love…

Well, in my case, music is the food of creation. Ever since I started working on The Third Letter, back in autumn 2020, I’ve listened to certain songs, particular musical genres, and certain artists to inspire me.

1980s synth/electronica, 1990s indie, and 2000s garage rock have been my go-to listens, and over the past few years, I’ve curated a massive playlist that I (probably somewhat ironically) titled “Kat’s work motivation list”. It’s now at seventeen hours long and is packed with songs that I adore and am word-perfect on. That way I don’t get distracted and pause to consider the lyrics.

Because that is a very real possibility when I listen to a new song. I need to sit and ponder on the story behind the song.

And that is why all my stories have their own playlist.

The Third Letter: a blend of 1980s synth classics, 1940s swing, and love songs from the past few decades.

Beneath the Widening Sky: Early 1960s R&B/soul, modern versions of 1930s and 1940s hits, and swing adaptations of recent songs.

Codename Charlotta: A lot of nods towards Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Florence + The Machine, alongside some 1980s and 1990s tracks that I love.

As well as being songs that I love, they also speak to the stories themselves, either specific scenes, or characters, or themes that play out in the novels.

Music truly is a source of inspiration to me.

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What I’ve been up to recently

What I should have been doing recently is writing.

What I have actually been doing is a fair amount of client work and a whole lot of reading for my next historical fiction article in The Washington Post.

The last day of school is drawing ever closer (next week, how is this possible?) and I’m aware of just how little writing I get done over the summer holidays (all nine weeks of them).

I need to get tip-tapping away on my keyboard before the days run away with me.

And on that note…

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On the bedside table

• Orbital – Samantha Harvey: I’ve finally managed to borrow a copy of this Booker Prize-winning novel from the library and have been dipping into it every few days for the past couple of weeks. The best way I can describe this book is as captivating. I cannot put my finger on why, or what it is that makes me want to pick it up again, but there is something about it that just works.

• Homage to Catalonia – George Orwell: I’m trying with this Orwell but I have to admit, I’m struggling. I think it is because I read the incredible Wifedom by Anna Funder last year, in which she revealed just how much Orwell hid the presence of Eileen O’Shaughnessy, his wife, in the shadows of this book. She was there in Spain with him, and yet she is barely mentioned. I will persevere, though!

• The Pilot’s Wife – Cynthia Anderson: I bought the audiobook of this debut historical novel when it came out last week. How could I resist a story set during the Second World War in a country that often gets overlooked? ;)

As usual, you can check out what is on my TBR or pick up copies of my recent reads at Bookshop UK (affiliate link) if any have piqued your interest.

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If you’ve enjoyed reading this and like what I write, why not tap the heart up there at the top or down at the end of this email ❤️, drop me a comment, or share it with someone else you think might also like it.

And if you want to help keep me powering along, you can buy me a virtual coffee - always keeps me going ☕

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Until the next time,

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