Music and the Muse
Relient K. Rocket Summer. Dashboard Confessional. Gym Class Heroes. Matchbook Romance. Sublime.
What do these all have in common?
The music from these bands explodes from my ear buds as I plot and write my current manuscript (as yet untitled). It's more YAish than MG. And these bands definitely plunge me into that teen world of angst and moodiness.
Music is great for writing. Who knew? Obviously lots of other writers who share their song lists in their books or on their MySpace, website, etc. I didn't think music would work for me. I pegged myself more as a total-silence kind of writer (when I was home alone or in the library) or a chaotic-kid-noise kind of writer (when my kids were home). But not a music kind of writer. Until I took Crystal Green's great seminar on tickling the muse with music. So, thank you Crystal Green for the music wake-up call. (Wondering what you're listening to for your vampire series. :) ) And thank you Child #1 for the music uploads.
Anyone else write/work/whatever to music?
Posts
I have to have the radio on. It's the combination of voice and music and helps me write.
ReplyDeleteI always have my iPod on (since I am the only one who is at home during the day, I play it through my stereo), and now find I can't write without it.
ReplyDeleteE
P.S. Current faves are Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse.
Alright - a music-inspired convert! :)
ReplyDeleteI play the music first and then the words just come to me.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteInterestng. I've never tried the radio. I will now. :)
~Barrie
Erica,
ReplyDeleteArcade Fire and Modest Mouse? I'll listen to them today. And I should do the stereo thing. My ears can only take so much of those buds!
~Barrie
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI do that too sometimes. So the words from the songs don't get in the way. :)
~Barrie
While writing my YA, I've been listening to a mix my 17 yo son put together for me. It has songs from Death Cab for Cutie, Panic! At the Disco, Morningwood, and Ben Folds amongst others. I've added the Kaiser Chiefs into the mix.
ReplyDeleteYou might try pandora.com (the music genome project) for listening to music while writing. It's very kewl.
I love it, Gina! Playing right now. Thank you!
ReplyDelete~Barrie
Pandora won't let me listen becaue I'm not in the US!
ReplyDeleteI constantly write to music. I even DVR MTV at night (the only time they show videos is in the 3am slot) so I can keep up.
ReplyDeleteIn high school, MTV was my background. When I write about high school, it still is. :)
--Melissa Walker
Melissa: MTV? How interestng. I never thought of that.
ReplyDelete~Barrie