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Friday, September 23, 2016

Putting the "muse" in "music" - What's your writing jam?

The more I talk to other writers, the more I realize how great a source of inspiration music provides for all of us. Every year during A to Z, many people use their daily posts to share some of their favorite, most nostalgic, most deserving pieces of music, and it is always a treat to browse through those posts. In my own research, I have conversations with people who reveal the many uses music can have in the creative writing process.

Do you do any of these?

Have a playlist for a specific writing project
Do you meticulously assemble a list of songs that are somehow associated with your WIP? Do you often wish that you could publish a soundtrack CD along with your book? Do you have your go-to station on Pandora while you are busy typing away?
(Some writes are better at this last one than others. Some of us require silence when we write - but we still need out music when we are planning!)

Have a playlist for a specific character
Do you have characters in your writing who come with their own mix tape? Do you make lists thinking about what songs your heroes listen to (or would listen to, if they had the time and the means)? Do you come across songs and thing "this is totally Her/Him/Them"! Do your love stories have Their Songs?

Have characters or stories inspired by music
Have you ever listened to a song, staring out the window of a train or jogging away on a treadmill, and though "ooh, this would make a great story!" Have you ever watched a music video, saw a character, and thought to your self "I want to know about that one!" Have you ever been so taken with the mood of a piece of music that you had to put it into words?

Share your music with other writers
Have you ever said the words "YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THIS!"?

We'll listen! Tell us what your favorite writing music is. Tell us if (and how) music inspires your writing. Tell us about that one nostalgic song that always makes you want to write.
Give us all something to listen to!


7 comments:

nashvillecats2 said...

Having been able to play the piano since I was young, music have been my life. Classical was first and foremost then as I approach my teenage years the music of the day took over. I still enjoy all genre's of music , my favourite singer is Ireland's Daniel O Donnell who I have followed for many years, even to the US, i think my favourite concert was at Nashville TN hence the title of my blog. Where would the world be without music?
Yvonne.

Ravyne said...

I listen to alternative and heavy metal when I am writing supernatural or horror themes. For science fiction, I listen to scifi movie soundtracks. And when I am writing mysteries which usually take place in the late 40s to mid 50s, I listen to big band sounds from those eras. While planning a story, I listen to classical music as it helps me think and process.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I don't make an actual playlist, but I will listen to certain bands while writing, especially action scenes. One song in particular inspired a whole story and I did share the YouTube video on my blog.

Carrie-Anne said...

I couldn't write without some of the soundtracks I use for certain books or sets of characters, so much so I like to credit them in the dedications page. For Little Ragdoll, I never could've done it without my constant Hollies' and Four Seasons' soundtrack. For my second, third, and so far fourth Russian historicals, I've relied upon Duran Duran. To show my gratitude, I gave my secondary character turned main character Rodya the surname Duranichev. When I saw that in a list of Russian surnames, I knew it had to be his!

G. B. Miller said...

Sadly, I can't write to music, although I have tried over the years. The best I can do is edit to music and get inspired by certain songs.

Father Nature's Corner

cleemckenzie said...

I can't write to music either. I really prefer a quiet place where my head fills in all the blanks.

Heather Murphy said...

As a musician I don't know uif music would hurt or hinder. I like these ideas. I need to try them.