Even in the days before iTunes and iPod, I listened to a specific movie soundtrack while working on a book. My first novel, Princess Charming, was written to the gorgeous music from Shakespeare in Love. My little Signet Regency, Her Perfect Earl, benefited from the wonderful soundtrack to Ang Lee and Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility. For some books, instrumental music works better. For others, I need some vocals.

Here are some of my other pairings:

Heavens To Betsy written to the...