Vinyl Spins and Scarlet Strings—The Threads of Red Playlist
There was a moment in my writing process where prose alone wasn’t enough to bridge the gap between the contemporary world of my main characters, Ellie and Ezekiel, and the core theme of supernatural magic. Typing the words "fated mates," "destined lovers," or "eternal connection" was easy, but I needed to capture the visceral, deep-in-your-bones reality of two souls being violently ripped apart in the Celtic era, tangled through time, and finally pulled together again in the modern world. That was harder. How could I accomplish this?
My answer—music.
An eclectic musical collection has always been a mainstay in my life. Hearing the specific notes, beats, chords, harmony, and gradual crescendo of a song still evokes deep emotions in me, both joyful and nostalgic.
Today, many authors are adding playlists to their novels and even creating themed Spotify tracklists for their books and individual characters. These songs serve as a creative link between an author's imagination and the raw emotional reality of their characters and scenes.
SPOILER ALERT – PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK
Welcome to the soundtrack of Threads of Red—my blueprint for scoring the inevitable cosmic bond between two destined mates and the sad, warped stalker who thrives in the shadows of their relationship. Yes, the dysfunctional and depraved Alana has her own songs.
Songs can fuel vital inspiration for an author. Tunes and lyrics each play an important role in blending elements of suspense, thrills, and passionate romance. Lyrics can act as a narrative device to mirror a character's internal crisis or delicately parallel a turning point in the plot. When coupled with a melodic backdrop that match those lyrics, inspiration is born. My goal, while writing, was to feel the literal pull of fate so I could translate that onto the page and afford my readers that same deep emotional resonance. I also aimed to seamlessly integrate that fated-mates passion with Hollywood lights, danger, and magic rooted in ancient myth.
To truly capture the core of their romance, my playlist also had to unite the vastly contrasting worlds of my main characters. Ezekiel is a high-profile Hollywood superstar, living a life dictated by flashing cameras, intense public scrutiny, demanding fans, and high-profile women throwing themselves at him. Ellie, on the other hand, is an ordinary citizen—grounded, relatable, and entirely unprepared for the chaotic and suffocating public scrutiny of his fame. Music became the equalizer between his Tinseltown lifestyle and her quiet existence, allowing me to map out how two people from completely different realities find a shared, undeniable fated love.
LET’S BEGIN WITH A FEW SONGS THAT CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF THREADS OF RED - Click to Play the Video
Somber music helped choreograph my novel’s overarching tone—a psychological, slow-burn stalker plot wrapped in ancient, red-threaded magic. The arrangement of Stefania Del Prete’s version of “Once Upon a Dream” (from Maleficent) established a moody and sinister vibe with its slow, dragged-out tempo that mimics a dark, hypnotic trance. The melody feels weighed down, and the haunting, smoky vocals sound like a warning. While the original piece is associated with safety and fairy tales, this version warps it into something shadowed and suspenseful, making it perfect for Threads of Red.
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Can a lullaby be terrifying? I think so. I chose the traditional lullaby, “All the Pretty Little Horses.” On the surface, a lullaby is meant to soothe and protect. But in this story, I flipped that inherent comfort on its head by dropping it right in the middle of my slow-burn stalker scenes, creating a psychological clash. There’s nothing more unsettling than a song meant to comfort a fussy baby while a paranormal threat closes in. It instantly heightens the tension and becomes an anthem for the story’s darkest thriller moments.
HERO AND HEROINE – ELLIE & EZEKIEL’S TRACKS
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Upbeat, cinematic tunes with climactic choruses locked in the exact mood and sensory details for specific scenes between my hero and heroine. These tracks perfectly matched the rhythm of their interactions, whether they were steamy, tender, or high-tension moments unfolding under the glare of paparazzi at exclusive red-carpet events. Listening to Elton John’s “Sacrifice” mirrored the different worlds of Ellie and Ezekiel, inspiring ideas as I crafted scenes before their first meeting and beyond. Billy Joel’s “This Night” was an excellent choice for drafting and tweaking the first love scene between my main characters, as was Kacey Musgraves' cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Immersing myself in these songs sparked romantic and passionate notions that helped build their scenes.
Ellie has a few of her own songs that I played repeatedly so I could absorb her essence and inner thoughts in any given scene. A couple are shared here. “Arms” by Christina Perri captured Ellie’s feelings about Ezekiel. When he wrapped his arms around her, she was truly home. The melody and lyrics influenced my word choices while writing about the safety net and security of his arms as he gathers her to him.
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“Top of the World” sung by Karen Carpenter encapsulated Ellie’s pure elation in the scene where Ezekiel sends her on an extravagant treasure hunt. Riding in a limo, she heads to Montauk to enjoy a delicious breakfast and several spa treatments before boarding a helicopter for the very first time to follow more clues. Long Beach, her happy place, is next on the itinerary, where a piña colada, lunch, and another clue await. From there, she’s whisked off to Manhattan and swept away by a gorgeous gift from Tiffany’s. At last, she boards a private jet that flies her toward an unknown destination. Her joy is palpable on every page as she follows the clues to her final landing.
Ezekiel has several songs of his own, too. By far the most powerful tune—and one that helped me draft a critical breakup scene—is Chris Cornell’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The strikingly painful lyrics and melody perfectly embodied his devastated, heartbroken state, motivating me to channel his pain. As the music flowed through me, Ezekiel’s raw thoughts spilled onto the page.
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I purposely paired the shadow figure, Alana—who straddles the line between supporting character, villain, and tragic antagonist—with her own gloomy, pensive music that carried violent, evocative, quiet-to-loud dynamics.
When writing scenes from Alana’s POV, I frequently looped Haley Reinhart’s cover of Radiohead's “Creep.” It helped me get inside her head and access her internal thoughts, as nefarious and perverted as they were. Descriptive words about how she viewed life, how she felt about herself, and what she believed she was entitled to poured out from deep within me, my fingers frantically typing them out.
Guns N' Roses “Used to Love Her” was another perfect fit for Alana and her warped tendencies. The track beautifully echoes not only her dark feelings about her long-dead sister, but also her intense jealousy of Ellie—and how she ultimately wants her rival six feet under.
Give music a try. Narrow down the songs that resonate most with your novel, characters, and scenes then create your dedicated soundtrack. Play the songs while you write and feel the magic unfold.
Stay tuned for next week's article about making videos that match your book's vibe
Links to purchase Threads of Red
