People assume romance authors listen to swoony ballads and tear-jerking love songs. I, however, prefer the soundtrack of a man who once believed in love, and now believes in caffeine and keeping his heart locked away in a drawer.
Here’s what I write to now:
- “Everybody Hurts” – REM. Perfect for writing good crying scenes.
- “Wicked Game” – Chris Isaak. Good for scenes where characters make eye contact across a room and immediately regret it.
- “With or Without You” – U2. Useful for writing grand, sweeping heartbreak.
- “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor. Makes me remember that heartbreak can be both devastating and beautifully performed under a single spotlight.
- “Don’t Speak” – No Doubt. Good for writing characters who are pretending they are fine while dying inside.
That’s my playlist. If you’re looking for love songs, you won’t find them here. Just men with guitars and women with better voices than their exes deserved.
Sometimes when the right chord hits, I remember what love felt like. And for a moment, that’s enough to keep writing.