NaNoWriMo Tip #9: Make a Soundtrack For Your Book

By Dianna Dilworth 

nanowrimoNational Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) launched earlier this month as writers around the globe try to write a 50,000-word novel draft in a single month.

To help the GalleyCat readers taking this challenge, we will be offering NaNoWriMo advice throughout the month. Last year, 341,375 participants wrote a novel in 30 days through the NaNoWriMo program. The writing marathon has generated more than 250 traditionally published novels, according to the organizers.

Our ninth tip is: Make a Soundtrack For Your Book. Music can really help inspire a mood and a tone, so you should think about the kind of music that is playing in your book. What music does your protagonist listen to? What music is playing in the settings? You may or may not identify music as part of your story, but knowing if you’re working in the realm of Chopin or the Wu-Tang Clan can help you tell the story. Your main characters’ relationship with music can help connect them emotionally or intellectually. You can decide if it is inspiring or distracting to play music as you write.