Episode 177: Getting in Tune: Music in Worldbuilding, ft. MIA TSAI

About this episode

The episode discusses the role of music in worldbuilding and how to effectively incorporate it into writing.

Music is a cultural universal, something human societies have been producing since our very earliest days – So how do we use it when writing novels? How do we put the audial experience onto the page? Guest Mia Tsai joins us to discuss how to go beyond just slapping a bunch of lyrics down on the page! Music is about emotion and communication, so part of the craft of writing it into a book will mean exploring how your characters feel about it, as well as the mental and physical responses they have when they hear a certain tune. Music can be the tool of the propagandist or the rebel; it can be sacred or profane; small and homey or huge and orchestral. Both its structure and its role in society can vary wildly by time and place, and interesting worldbuilding with music will benefit from looking outside the confines that Western imperialism built around the art. We also talk about building soundtracks for our novels! [Transcript for Episode 177] Our Guest: Mia Tsai is a Taiwanese American author of speculative fiction. Her debut novel, a xianxia-inspired contemporary fantasy titled Bitter Medicine, was published by Tachyon Publications on March 14, 2023. Her sophomore novel, an adult…

People in this episode

Guest: MIA TSAI

Topics covered

• music in worldbuilding
• emotional responses to music
• cultural significance of music
• writing music into novels
• soundtracks for novels

Keywords

• worldbuilding
• music
• novels
• emotions
• cultural context
• soundtracks
• writing craft

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bitter Medicine, The Memory Hunters

Places: Atlanta

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