My Favorite Character + Song Pairings

Autumn is officially here, and with it comes lots of blood, sweat and tears—at least for me.

That’s right—I’m working on the publication of my current novella, so if you’re a writer, you know that blood, sweat, and tears are always involved in revising your work.

At least I hope it’ll be published. I’m still considering, but it’s most likely that I will! I’ll keep you all updated for sure.

Anyway, in this post, I’ll be doing something really fun—spotlighting a couple of my characters from A Change of Heart (my published historical fiction novella) and Shards of Sky and pairing them up with a song that suits their personality and personal journey.

Ready to dive in?

Note: This post is by no means affiliated or sponsored by any artists for advertising purposes. I simply enjoyed these songs and thought they fitted my characters. However, I do recommend listening to them. ;)

1. Jenn + I’ll Find You by Lecrae (ft. Tori Kelly)

This partly comes from all the times I blasted this song while writing Jenn (from Shards of Sky)’s story. 😂

A lot of this song stood out to me about fighting on, being brave, and knowing that there’s someone who’s got your back. It can be interpreted in multiple ways, but I like to think of this person (in Jenn’s story) as God.

Especially these lines:

Fight a little longer, my friend

It’s all worth it in the end

But when you’ve got nobody to turn to

Just hold on and I’ll find you.

Plus the lyrics that illustrate Jenn’s personal struggles:

I'm hanging on by a thread

And all I'm clinging to is prayers

And every breath is like a battle

I feel like I ain't come prepared

They say "Don't get bitter, get better"

I'm working on switching them letters

But tell God I'mma need a whole lotta hope keeping it together

I'm smilin' in everyone's face

I'm cryin' whenever they leave the room

They don't know the battle I face

They don't understand what I'm going through

Literally, guys. This is the best song for Jenn, and it fits her so well. If I could choose another one, I’d also go with You’re Gonna Be Okay by Brian & Jenn Johnson. Both songs have played a part in developing Jenn’s journey.

2. Aryon + I’m Listening by Chris McCarney (ft. Hollyn)

This song really describes the stillness, the acceptance of Aryon (from Shards of Sky) as he faces the days following a traumatic accident. While this song doesn’t especially describe his struggles like Jenn’s, the melody and the calm words really show his character.

When sorrows roar and troubles rage

You whisper peace when I don't have the words to say

I won't lose hope when storms won't break

You keep Your word, oh, and Your promises will keep me safe.

I love this song because it illustrates Aryon’s inward peace, even through his personal struggles of trauma.

3. Holly + Wonder by Hillsong United + Gold by Britt Nicole

Holly (from A Change of Heart) is such a bubbly character that it’s impossible not to pair her with two upbeat songs. Especially Wonder and Gold. You can definitely see the way she views the world with optimism and joy from these two songs.

Have you ever seen the wonder

In the glimmer of first sight

As the eyes begin to open

And the blindness meets the light

If you have so say

I see the world in light

I see the world in wonder

I see the world in life

Bursting in living colour

And Gold displays the way she sees others:

When everybody keeps score, afraid you're gonna lose

Just ignore they don't know the real you

All the rain in the sky can't put out your fire

Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world

Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold

So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine

From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold

So don't be ashamed to wear your crown

You're a king you're a queen inside and out

You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars

This is for you, wherever you are

*smiles* I love Holly, and it’s easy to tell why, right?

4. Alena + Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns

Alena (from A Change of Heart)'s such a delicate character, I can’t help but imagine her listening to a slower song like this one and dancing along to it. I have no idea why, since she’s not a dancer. 😂

Anyway, Oh My Soul really illustrates her beauty and all the things she’s hidden inside, afraid to show everyone else.

Oh, my soul

Oh, how you worry

Oh, how you're weary, from fearing you lost control

This was the one thing, you didn't see coming

And no one would blame you, though

If you cried in private

If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows

No one will see, if you stop believing

Oh, my soul

You are not alone

There's a place where fear has to face the God you know

One more day, He will make a way

Let Him show you how, you can lay this down

'Cause you're not alone

Here and now

You can be honest

I won't try to promise that someday it all works out

'Cause this is the valley

And even now, He is breathing on your dry bones

And there will be dancing

There will be beauty where beauty was ash and stone

This much I know

I don’t know if any specific part screams Alena, it just all does down to the end. Maybe it’s the part “there will be beauty where beauty was ash and stone” that describes who she is as a poet.

5. Odele + Stars in the Night by Tenth Avenue North

Serious, thoughtful, and battered by life, this song really describes Odele (from A Change of Heart)’s character with the slow melody and mention of stars. It also describes all the confusion she faces when searching for the God that her mother believed in.

No matter where you lead, we want to follow You

Trouble is we forget who we belong to

We chase the wind and tides

We chase the reasons why

Chase the spark inside each other's eyes

Desires are a war, we want that final shore

Sailing on until we find what we've been looking for

All our lives for the other side, where we'll never die

And in the darkest night, we will lift our eyes

The life that lies ahead is more than all we leave behind

All I can say is this song is so Odele.

That wraps up this blog post with some wonderful characters paired with beautiful songs! I hope you enjoyed it, and I plan on doing one again sometime in the future, with different characters of course. ;)

If you haven’t heard of some of these songs, I’d highly recommend giving them a listen. Which song/character pairing was your favorite?

And if you are a writer, what are some of your character and song pairings? Let me know in the comments!