Thursday, January 21, 2010

Writing - Inspired by Music

I'm a big music buff, so I'm usually listening to one band or another. I've found this really helps me with writing as well.

Several bands inspired me while writing Cassastar.

In Flames is great for the action and fight scenes. "System" and "Could Connected" possess so much energy! The band's aggression really helps, too. Guilt Machine's "Green and Cream" fits well with the space battles. I can really see the characters in their fighters, blasting away!

Redemption and Dream Theater are great for scenes where the characters interact. Really sets the mood for more dramatic moments.

I've heard other authors and writers say music inspires them. So tell me! What music inspires YOU?

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't have any music on when I edit. No TV either. See, when you get a little older, there is so much information in your brain, it gets very selective, and parts of it demand your total attention for certain tasks. LOL (sort of).

Twenty years ago I could do 20 things at one time and listen to music while watching TV and talking on the phone. (I think...can't actually remember that long ago...)

What was the question?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'll keep that in mind for the future, Crystal! At any rate, I'm a guy, so I can only multi-task so much.

Helen Ginger said...

Normally, I need to have quiet when I write. I've been known to shut the door and put on headphones just to block out the TV or voices in other rooms. But when I do listen to music when I write, it's music that I feel "fits" my book.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hmmm... maybe blasting music while writing is a guy thing. Any men care to help me out here?

Unknown said...

I have music going all of the time except when I'm actually writing music.

I have done NaNoWriMo twice and I couldn't imagine writing without something blaring in my headphones.

One year I was listening to a lot of European power metal like Rhapsody as well as Coheed & Cambria.

The following November it was indie rock and emo like Tegan & Sara and Cartel.

The Old Silly said...

I like to write in silence. Natural sounds of nature I like as a background accompaniment, or the soft sounds of a library, but I'm too single minded focused when writing or editing to listen to music. That being said, I get inspiration from all kinds of music - ideas to write about. Country music lyrics are a wealth of good hooks and jazz (real jazz, not elivator muzak) puts me in deep meditative thought.

Marvin D Wilson

JournoMich said...

Not a music person. But my children and husband are, so there is always music on in my house! The only music I choose for myself is either opera or Norah Jones. What does that say about me? Hmmm...someone dissect!

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for backing me up, John!

And Michele, not sure what it means!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Alex, I listen to music while I write! (Not necessarily blaring though...) It inspires me, especially in the more emotional scenes.

Hannah said...

I always have to have music on when I write but I usually leave it to ambient, new age or trip-hop to set the tone for me.
There are some soundtracks I enjoy but then I just want to watch the movie I'm "listening" to.
I really love video game music and anime tunes and sometimes light classical, mostly piano stuff.
Sometimes I'll hear a song and I find myself in the middle of a story I have to write.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You have a lot of inspiration sources then!