Okay. How exactly is this connected to books, IWG or whatever? It is, but it isn’t. I’ve noticed that quite a few writers/authors seem to have playlists that they listen to when they write. Apparently, Stephanie Meyer is a fan of the band Muse and listened to them while she was writing the Twilight series.
Why, when I’m not an author, should I have a playlist to keep me entertained while I write letter after letter, asking people to contribute to my project? Several reasons, I guess. One is I get distracted easily. Secondly, the music does actually keep me entertained while I write the letters. Another is, I realized earlier, that most of the songs somehow tie into whom I am writing to (and this was purely coincidental) and relate to some form of literature. Here are just a few:
Originally released in 2007 as the sixth single from Take That’s fourth studio album. However, the song was originally written for the film Stardust, based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. It plays during the course of the credits. While I had seen the film and had heard the song, I hadn’t really paid attention to it until the band performed it at the 2012 London Olympic Closing Ceremonies. There are several versions of the song, the Closing Ceremonies being the one I listen to most often. It’s been one of my favourite songs ever since. The playlist is usually on shuffle, and the song happened to come on while I was writing to Neil himself. I never heard back from him, but I do know he is a busy man. Maybe one day!
Revolting Children by Tim Minchin
The song hails from Matilda the Musical, which is based on Matilda by Roald Dahl. Revolting Children is performed as the second to last song of the show, when the children revolt and run Miss Trunchbull out of the school. It’s an EPIC scene and such a brilliant song. The entire show is brilliant, from start to finish, but that’s another thing all together. Revolting Children was playing when I wrote to letters to Tim Minchin, Lucy Dahl (daughter of Roald), Sophie Dahl (granddaughter of Roald) and Bertie Carvel (originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in the West End and on Broadway). I didn’t hear back from any of them. A girl can hope, right? RIGHT?
The Game is On by David Arnold and Michael Price
The song is from BBC’s Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It features during the first series. The song is one of those you hum incessantly (and perhaps sing it geek style over Skype with a friend from England). It was playing when I was writing to Benedict, Mark Gatiss and several other cast members. This one has good news – I actually heard from two cast members of Sherlock, so my efforts were well worth it! I also apologize in advanced to a certain senior editor.
While writing this, I suddenly noticed that a majority of my music comes from Britain. Take That, Matilda, Sherlock… all British. Well, maybe it’s fitting seeing as the majority of the children’s books that have been picked have been from British authors. There are more songs, tons more. They range from songs from some of my favourite stage shows to songs from my favourite Disney films to just some of my favourite songs. If you’d still like to help out with the project, write in and let us know at [email protected], or tweet IWG, using the hashtag #thenannybookproject!