CASTLING BEATS: Developing Characters through Music!

It's become a part of my novel writing process to create a dedicated playlist that fits the themes, characters, and atmosphere of the project. Doesn't matter the genre or category; if it's got world-building and characters, a curated playlist is going to be manifested onto my Spotify account.

I think this was heavily influenced by the fact that, when I first started doing long-form writing in high-school, I would always be listening to music in the background as I wrote. Slowly over time, the music I would choose to listen to became more intentional, and became theme songs for certain scenes and characters.

Now, over a decade later, I have a new project and a new playlist...so why don't we take a look at the CASTLING playlist that was started all the way back in 2020?

The First Songs

It's a pretty awesome feeling when you find a couple songs right out of the gate that stick with your project as it evolves.

I always knew Halsey was going to be on this playlist. Not only are her songs and lyrics full of themes of going up against a male dominated space, but her song, "Castle", alone is an iconic staple among any medieval-inspired playlist ( especially for YA novels! ). It's lyrics hit home on the experiences of one of the protagonists, princess Aislinn Eligor:

I'm headed straight for the castle / They wanna make me their queen / And there's an old man sitting on the throne saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean / I'm headed straight for the castle / They’ve got the Kingdom locked up / And there's an old man sitting on the throne there saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

As stated on Genius.com: The “kingdom” is a representation of the male dominated music industry. Her journey to the castle represents her debut into the music industry, and how she has to break through the barriers and sexism perpetrated by the old men who run it.

For Aislinn, the lyrics become a bit more literal, as she is moving from her life in hiding to the castle of her birth where a council is attempting to take the power of her families throne. In a way it is her 'debut' as a proper princess and hopefully queen of her kingdom.

Another song that came early on and has stuck through the writing process thus far is "Bad Company" by YONAKA.

This is a very emotional song that honestly had me crying upon first listening. It's a very vulnerable piece about the singer's 'bad company' that lives inside her head and has changed her into a person she does not recognize.

I go outta my mind, thinking 'bout what I used to be

I got a picture in my head, but it's not one I like to see

And when this big black cloud came down to smother me

I was left with no choice but to carry bad company

To me I interpret this 'bad company' as a mental illness, and for Aislinn it's the same, with the addition of the demon who possesses her and feeds her these destructive and negative thoughts.

Oh, what does it want from me?

Said I don't know, but it won't leave

So I guess I got bad company

This song alone really helped me get into Aislinn's psyche and her emotional turmoil. She's only 16 at the start of the novel, and yet it feels like the whole world is stacked against her and her dreams for her future.

A Lyrical Dialogue

I want to end this article with two songs that I found recently that I am honestly in love with. Both are from a group known as NXCRE & The Villains whose songs popped up while scrolling through YouTube shorts. Upon examining the lyrics however...I realized I had struck gold for my main characters.

Two songs in particular - Usurper and Fallen Angel - serve as a dialogue between the protagonists.

So, let's take a look at "Usurper" first:

The city trembles

They fear the worst

They need an angel

But I'm still a boy

"Usurper" instantly struck a chord in me for Blair's POV. He comes from a long line of knights who have served the Eligor crown faithfully, but he was the first to be exiled. Upon returning with Aislinn, he's thrown into one of the most tumultuous periods in the country's history, and is torn between protecting the people, and saving Aislinn who becomes a close friend to him by the end of the novel.

Like Aislinn, he is very young, and has way too many expectations and responsibilities thrust upon him. In the end, he has to make an impossible choice.

The city trembles

They fear the worst

They need an angel

So, I'll take the sword

"Fallen Angel" shares Aislinn's POV beautifully.

Go ahead, take me out my misery

Fine by me, I’ll be the goat that you set free

And smile as you crucify me

Yes smile as you crucify me

Cause I won’t fear the place I’m going

But I know that you will

As Blair is forced into a choice between the greater good and his friendship, Aislinn has already accepted the cold reality: she is not only a danger to herself, but to everyone around her.

It's a mixture of being so tired of the struggle she bears that she just wants it all to end, and knowing that attempting to push herself any further may harm more than just those closest to her.

Cause I know

No there ain’t nobody coming to save us

Enjoyed what you read?

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You can also read more in the world of CASTLING in my collection below!