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 to Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Florence + The Machine, alongside some 1980s and 1990s tracks that I love

If you’d like to hear these playlists, please do sign up for my newsletter, where I share editing tips, reading lists, and news of my writing progress, and I’ll send you links to these playlists.