🎧 My characters as playlists

☾ My characters' Spotify Wrapped: MARINA, Doechii, The Killers, Mitski, Taylor... are they okay???

I want to write my characters' names on CDs in Sharpie just for the aesthetics.

I remember dreaming of the day my characters would become characters. They spent months existing just as vague wisps of ideas, blobs floating around plot skeletons in my mind. Nothing I could articulate. I couldn’t describe any facet of them because I hadn’t decided anything yet. I remember, before I decided to make them anthropomorphic, looking through Pokémon cards for character inspiration. Nothing stuck; everything shifted.

Little by little, the smoke hardened into shapes, then something more. Something real. My characters become more and more real by the day as their roles in the story are cemented. One day, the world will get to meet them, and then there’s really no going back. This temporary moment, when they’re very much real but only to me, is so very precious.

They’re not ready for you yet, but we’re getting closer and closer. Close enough that I can share some of their magic with you. Some of them with you.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s assign each character a colour. Blue, Orange, and Green, for reasons I hope will be clear one day.

They’re still under development, but there are some irrefutable facts I know about each one of them. Green is determined, constantly striving towards near-impossible goals. Blue is misunderstood (by others and herself), isolated, and powerful. Orange is strong enough to be gentle but he craves an escape.

These are real Spotify playlists you can actually download. Follow my Spotify account for some more music curated specifically for Jar (and, eventually, my other writing projects, too). We even have a community writing playlist — more on that later!

Would you believe me if I told you that as I write this blog post, I am procrastinating writing the scene where Blue, Orange, and Green meet for the first time? I will say, condensing them into only five songs really reminded me of who they are when the story opens. I know what I want to shine in their first scenes. Blue’s perspective. Green’s potential. Orange’s pacifism.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my characters’ consciousness (and, by extension, the glimpse into my consciousness):

Blue’s mixtape

I could have been anyone, anyone (The Moon Will Sing, The Crane Wives)

Blue loves the moons. She has a very… skewed view of herself and a memorable reputation, to say the least. She’s trying to stop ending up with the short end of every stick. She’s at her wit’s end, and she’ll do whatever it takes to stop that cycle.

Orange’s mixtape

I got soul, but I’m not a soldier (All These Things That I’ve Done, The Killers)

Orange has always been gentle. It’s an active choice, even when it’s not the easy one. He’s not sure he ever has or will belong anywhere, but he doesn’t want to be alone. He’s about to meet someone that will defy everything he understands about himself and his world.

Green’s mixtape

Once you cross the line, will you be satisfied? (Are You Satisfied?, MARINA)

Green is as promising as she is intimidating with an answer for everything. The right answer? Depends who you ask. But she’ll always come up with an answer. For better or for worse. She’s got the power of the future and everyone’s mesmerized.

There you have it! And a casual FYI, there are Easter eggs alllll over the place in these songs. Casual plot hints and twists woven through the lyrics. Layers of meaning you won’t understand until you know these characters like I do. Revisit these mixtapes after you’ve read the future series for that golden “ooohHHHH!” moment. Trust me.

If you asked me for one song, one single song, for how I’d encapsulate all my characters? No One Is Alone from Into the Woods. If you ask me, it’s the found family theme song, and that trope is a massive piece of Jar. Pick the version of your preference, whether that’s Kim Crosby’s, Anna Kendrick’s, or Glee’s. Personally, I’m partial to Phillipa Soo’s rendition.

Maybe we forgot: they are not alone. No one is alone (Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim)

Did you know we already have a community playlist, completely curated by members of our community? And you can contribute? Comment or message me your favourite songs to write to, and I’ll add them to the playlist.

You can save our shared playlist, and every time you write with it, it’s like you’re writing with all of us. How cute is that?

Thank you so much for reading this newest instalment of the Jar files. I have the most fun sharing these behind-the-scenes glimpses with you.

Do you make playlists for your WIPs? I’d love to see them, if you feel so inclined to share!

All that being said, I should probably get back to writing. It’s time for Green, Orange, and Blue to finally meet on the page. I’ll see you in my next writing session, through the songs you contribute to our playlist!

Take care and may the words be ever in your favour ♥

PS — Some dear friends have asked if there is any way to support my writing financially without committing to a monthly subscription (man I am so lucky to have the friends that I do!!!!). As a twenty-something with student loans and two day jobs, I very much feel that.

I decided to set up a Buy me a coffee so people can support me on a one-time basis for as little as $1 USD. Know I am so honoured you would spend any of your hard-earned money on my writing. Thank you thank you thank you for your support.

Speaking of paid subscribers, the newest instalment of Prose & Poetry will be released later this week. I can’t wait for you to read this one!

Thanks a million for reading all the way to the last line. Comment “stars” so I know you made it. You’re the best ☆