A Writing Soundtrack
Photo credit: XLucas
I need to listen to some kind of music when I am writing, though sometimes when I’m really engrossed, the music shuts off I don’t even realize it. To get started though, I need some kind of immediate inspiration. I tend to listen only to instrumentals while I am writing directly, as lyrics can distract me from the story at hand with whatever concepts are being expressed in a song. I really like any form of electronica, but while writing there is nothing better than a good ambient track to put me in the mood and keep me in the mood. Through the Ergosphere by Simon Wilkenson was of particular help to me while writing White Wolf for it’s eerie atmospheric tone and dark resonance.
Sometimes, for specific characters, I do have songs that I think express a character’s personality or actions. I’ll usually listen to these songs just before I start writing a chapter about the character, to get myself revved up. Fury Oh Fury by Nico Vega immediately struck a cord with me in reference to Asala the first time I heard it. Its her ass whoopin’ song for sure. For the character of King I often think of softer Johnny Cash songs like Help Me, which could not express that character’s struggles more.
Whenever I write typical or high fantasy, which I often do, I tend to like inspiring epic tracks like Over the Misty Mountains Cold from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (I’m a much bigger Hobbit fan the LotR, from an early age), or perhaps the Pirates of The Caribbean theme from Curse of the Black Pearl. Adventure movies almost always have soundtracks that inspire. Classics like Star Wars and Indiana Jones are always good for getting the wheels turning in an exciting way.
And, of course, I am often inspired by the music from video games I play. Dragonborn from Skyrim is fucking AWESOME and always makes me want to fight something big, and I mean that. The entire sound track from the Mass Effect Trilogy is just so gods-blessed good I can’t stand it. Vigil always gives me chills. It makes me think of how important Earth is and why we need to protect it, but the best part is that I have no idea why.
I’m also heavily influenced and inspired by super hero themes. The intro to Batman: The Animated Series, in particular, made a 5-year-old me button the top button of his dad’s long coat around his neck and leap off the porch in search of criminals…..that same boy very promptly landed RIGHT on his face and busted his lip open, but it is the intent that counts! Remember that, folks.
What’s your soundtrack?
What’s your favorite adventure music? Shit, what’s your favorite music? Let me know in the comments. Once again, thanks for reading and please, have a wonderful day.