Music That Inspires You?

sadbeautifultragic · 07-05-2011, 02:08 AM

Forgive me if there is already a thread for this

In my writing, music is the most important thing, no kidding. There is no way I could write without music. I know lots of people (including myself *teehee*) make playlists and stuff like that for their writings, as well.
I just thought it would be fun to share music that inspires you, and if you want, how it inspires you.
Thanks!
-Tragedies

Becca C. · 07-05-2011, 02:15 AM

A lot of the time songs just stick to my manuscript. As in, I haven't heard them all that much, or maybe I've been hearing them my whole life and never really liked them, but then I hear them at the right time and the right place in my manuscript and suddenly I'm listening to the song nonstop because it's so, so perfect for the characters. Songs like that help me write. They get to the core of the relationships and when I have something concrete to relate the characters to, it makes it a lot easier.

Example: I've been listening to U2's "With or Without You" for days because it totally encapsulates the rewritten first chapter of my WIP. It's weird though, because I've never particularly liked the song before this.

stephcamp · 07-05-2011, 05:53 AM

It doesn't matter what I'm writing, Damien Rice always seems to find a place on the playlist

. I have a lot of random music on my writing playlists, from oldies to punk, and some of it, I wouldn't listen to normally if it weren't for the fact that I was writing and somehow, it just fits the manuscript. Sometimes I am stuck at a certain point in a ms and I'll hear a song and it's like a total lightbulb moment and I just know what's going to happen next in the ms because something in the song inspired me.

For the most part, though, my hubs says my writing playlists are "music to slit your writs by"

Arianna Sterling · 07-05-2011, 06:13 AM

I have different playlists for each novel, and they're typically decided by tone. I'll also decide on character themes when I find a song that fits perfectly.

For example, Weeping is a really dark novel so there's a lot of soft, haunting music that I listen to while I write it. Plus I discovered that the song "All I Need" by Within Temptation is a perfect fit for the love interest, so I added that to the list.

L_Swann · 07-05-2011, 06:37 AM

I do this. I don't make full playlists, and oftentimes the words have very little to do with the actual plot.

My first novel, Bloodlines, was almost entirely an alternative playlist.

Interestingly, the WIP I'm currently editing had an all-country playlist. Lady Antebellum's Just a Kiss and Need You Now were big go-to songs for inspiration. And there's this new country band called The Band Perry, and I swear to you, their lead singer IS my MC. She looks nothing like her, but her voice & the way she sings the songs, it's exactly how my MC sings. The first time I heard "If I Die Young" or "You Lie," I couldn't stop the chills.

Storyteller5 · 07-05-2011, 07:58 AM

Quite often, there's one song that really gets tied to a particular piece of mine in my head. For example, Phil Collins' Against All Odds had the right feel for me while working on my NaNoWriMo book last year.

Last year I read Wally Lambs' The Hour I First Believed. At the back of the book, there's a section with his personal playlist of songs which apply to different sections of the novel. It's quite interesting to look through it and see his take on music vs the story.

REM's Losing My Religion really gets my muse writing.

Jehhillenberg · 07-05-2011, 11:56 AM

Pretty much anything Alternative, Rock, Grunge, Indie because I find it so emotional and hell yes I make full-on playlists for my works.

My complete ms I'm revising is dark and heavy, very moody. Some of the songs inspirational for that piece I constantly listen to right now are: "Odd One" by Sick Puppies, "Bound for the Floor" by Local H, "World Behind My Wall" by Tokio Hotel, "Medication" & "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" by Garbage, "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps, "Come As You Are" by Nirvana, "Fell On Black Days" by Soundgarden, "To the Moon and Back" by Savage Garden, "Fine Again" by Seether, "These Things" by She Wants Revenge, and of course The Smiths - "There's a Light That Never Goes Out" & "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" & "How Soon Is Now"

Malin · 07-05-2011, 01:07 PM

I put my ipod on scramble normaly it gives me a variety of 30 seconds to mars, tokio hotel, cinema bizarre, led zeppelin, meatloaf, bonjovi and aqua. Aqua I only use for light stuff, it isn't normaly my thing (it never were my thing not even during the 90's) But rock and alternative rock is usually where I find my inspiration.

Annmarie09 · 07-05-2011, 08:47 PM

Mostly indie. When trying to concentrate, I prefer calmer stuff like 'The xx' or 'Radiohead'

Salt · 07-05-2011, 09:49 PM

Nature's music is my #1 inspiration. Thunderstorms on a loop can get me writing 4,000 words a day. Classical music and soundtracks are the second most helpful. Like if my novel takes place in deserts of arizona, I listen to some old western music. Suspenseful horror music to get my brain in the mood. Any music with words, I try to shy away from. I'm highly influenced by other people's music so I need just me and my own words in my head when writing.

thebloodfiend · 07-05-2011, 09:49 PM

Nirvana
Coldplay
Belle and Sebastian
Common
Royksopp
and Blue Magic

Weird combo, but it works.

sadbeautifultragic · 07-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malin

I put my ipod on scramble normaly it gives me a variety of 30 seconds to mars, tokio hotel, cinema bizarre, led zeppelin, meatloaf, bonjovi and aqua. Aqua I only use for light stuff, it isn't normaly my thing (it never were my thing not even during the 90's) But rock and alternative rock is usually where I find my inspiration.

30 seconds to mars helps me a lot.

amlptj · 07-05-2011, 11:25 PM

I have theme songs for all my characters, each one of my books, and certian events in each book. I pretty much only like a song if it relates to my series in one way or another!

trolly dei · 07-05-2011, 11:27 PM

Sigur Ros. I don't actually listen to them while writing, otherwise I can't listen properly.

mickeyDs4 · 07-06-2011, 01:12 AM

Josh Groban, Josh Groban and occasionally Good Charlotte but mostly Josh Groban.

lisalulu09 · 07-06-2011, 01:56 AM

I do playlists - a musical outline I use when doing chapter notes and inspiration when I'm really stuck - and 'soundtracks', complete with opening and closing credit songs.

When I'm writing I mostly listen to albums, but will listen to music TV, YouTube and last.fm (especially when I need/want new music or want to listen to music I haven't got) and what inspires me generally depends on the genre and tone of my story of the characters, but sometimes it depends on what my muse decides is inspiring. For Suns and Stars, I've been listening to a lot of pop punk, pop rock... and Taylor Swift, and lately Glee has been played a lot. And I'm a revent convert.

Belle_91 · 07-06-2011, 01:58 AM

Opening Titles from John Adams
Chevalier de Sangreal from The Da Vinci Code
503 from Angels and Demons

Ashes Oh Ashes · 07-06-2011, 04:03 AM

I find that my favorite writing music are songs without lyrics. Requiem for a Tower (Lux Aeterna) and Flight of the Valkyries come to mind. When people are singing, I tune in too much to the lyrics, and completely lose focus on what's at hand.

Mandiloo322 · 07-06-2011, 05:42 AM

I definitely do this! Lately I've been stuck on Death Cab for Cutie, Linkin Park, and Ellie Goulding. Though recently Explosions in the Sky has caught my interest, and I'll probably add them to the top of the list.

Becca C. · 07-06-2011, 06:26 AM

All kinds of 90s music does it for me... remember that song "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins? Suits my writing so much it just undoes me every time I hear it.

Jehhillenberg · 07-06-2011, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca C.

All kinds of 90s music does it for me... remember that song "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins? Suits my writing so much it just undoes me every time I hear it.

90's were frikin' AWESOME!

ShootingStarsMag · 07-06-2011, 08:39 AM

I don't really have a go to song or band that helps me with writing, but I do like making playlists or just finding a few songs that fit whatever I'm currently working on. The MS I just finished editing not too long ago has a full playlist. I have random songs ready for story ideas that I haven't quite started...and I have a current WIP and another one I'm about to start as well that I need to find songs for. It gets me in the mood to write THAT story when I listen to them usually.

Lpapercranes · 07-14-2011, 04:37 AM

My "writing music" falls into 3 categories:
-songs I liked in high school (for YA)
-whatever music my main character would like
-songs that really fit the mood of a scene I'm working on.

Allaboutwords13 · 07-14-2011, 03:08 PM

tis funny, i wrote a thread on this yesterday and have so far had no replies... now i know why.

Anyway, i've been listening to David Cook a lot. His music is really kind of sad and pop/rock with a slightly Taylor Swift feel to it (besides the fact he's a guy)

strawberryblondie · 07-14-2011, 11:46 PM

I listen to a lot of older stuff while writing. The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, The Doors. My dad was so proud when he saw my playlist.

07-05-2011, 02:15 AM	#2
Becca C. She of the 16 trunk novels. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Land of Playoff Disappointment Posts: 2,613	A lot of the time songs just stick to my manuscript. As in, I haven't heard them all that much, or maybe I've been hearing them my whole life and never really liked them, but then I hear them at the right time and the right place in my manuscript and suddenly I'm listening to the song nonstop because it's so, so perfect for the characters. Songs like that help me write. They get to the core of the relationships and when I have something concrete to relate the characters to, it makes it a lot easier. Example: I've been listening to U2's "With or Without You" for days because it totally encapsulates the rewritten first chapter of my WIP. It's weird though, because I've never particularly liked the song before this. __________________ A BRAVER THING - YA contemporary - revising WONDERFUL - YA high-concept - peeking out of my bottom drawer SHALL NOT SLEEP - YA magical realism - on hold for now PARIS & LONDON - YA contemporary - writing slowly Trunked: FAKE and THE KING OF GROWING UP, both contemporary YA I blog, too.

07-05-2011, 05:53 AM	#3
stephcamp New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere hot and humid Posts: 36	It doesn't matter what I'm writing, Damien Rice always seems to find a place on the playlist . I have a lot of random music on my writing playlists, from oldies to punk, and some of it, I wouldn't listen to normally if it weren't for the fact that I was writing and somehow, it just fits the manuscript. Sometimes I am stuck at a certain point in a ms and I'll hear a song and it's like a total lightbulb moment and I just know what's going to happen next in the ms because something in the song inspired me. For the most part, though, my hubs says my writing playlists are "music to slit your writs by" __________________ Steph Grounding Quinn (Contemp YA) Available on Amazon & B&N http://twitter.com/stephcamp725 http://stephcampbell.blogspot.com/

07-05-2011, 06:13 AM	#4
Arianna Sterling My Protagonists Hate Me Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Cirque des Tenebres Posts: 6,981	I have different playlists for each novel, and they're typically decided by tone. I'll also decide on character themes when I find a song that fits perfectly. For example, Weeping is a really dark novel so there's a lot of soft, haunting music that I listen to while I write it. Plus I discovered that the song "All I Need" by Within Temptation is a perfect fit for the love interest, so I added that to the list. __________________ Weeping (dark fantasy) In revisions Lifelike (fantasy) Drafting Oh, I also review books. Sometimes I mention zombies even though the books have nothing to do with zombies.

07-05-2011, 07:58 AM	#6
Storyteller5 Say no to this face? Not sure I can Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sask, CANADA Posts: 1,114	Quite often, there's one song that really gets tied to a particular piece of mine in my head. For example, Phil Collins' Against All Odds had the right feel for me while working on my NaNoWriMo book last year. Last year I read Wally Lambs' The Hour I First Believed. At the back of the book, there's a section with his personal playlist of songs which apply to different sections of the novel. It's quite interesting to look through it and see his take on music vs the story. REM's Losing My Religion really gets my muse writing. __________________ The English language has a wealth of words. Make your words count. Say something. Let your words pull at your readers' emotions.

07-05-2011, 11:56 AM	#7
Jehhillenberg Changing it up...quite often ;) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Southeastern, U.S. Posts: 7,920	Pretty much anything Alternative, Rock, Grunge, Indie because I find it so emotional and hell yes I make full-on playlists for my works. My complete ms I'm revising is dark and heavy, very moody. Some of the songs inspirational for that piece I constantly listen to right now are: "Odd One" by Sick Puppies, "Bound for the Floor" by Local H, "World Behind My Wall" by Tokio Hotel, "Medication" & "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" by Garbage, "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps, "Come As You Are" by Nirvana, "Fell On Black Days" by Soundgarden, "To the Moon and Back" by Savage Garden, "Fine Again" by Seether, "These Things" by She Wants Revenge, and of course The Smiths - "There's a Light That Never Goes Out" & "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" & "How Soon Is Now" __________________ >>write muses (nsfw-ish)<< >>Get inside my head! (nsfw-ish)<< Tweet "What's the most resilient parasite? An idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities...transform the world and rewrite all the rules." - Inception

07-05-2011, 02:08 AM	#1
sadbeautifultragic practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California, US Posts: 642	Music That Inspires You? Forgive me if there is already a thread for this In my writing, music is the most important thing, no kidding. There is no way I could write without music. I know lots of people (including myself teehee) make playlists and stuff like that for their writings, as well. I just thought it would be fun to share music that inspires you, and if you want, how it inspires you. Thanks! -Tragedies __________________ -t. gemme

07-05-2011, 06:37 AM	#5
L_Swann figuring it all out Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 74	I do this. I don't make full playlists, and oftentimes the words have very little to do with the actual plot. My first novel, Bloodlines, was almost entirely an alternative playlist. Interestingly, the WIP I'm currently editing had an all-country playlist. Lady Antebellum's Just a Kiss and Need You Now were big go-to songs for inspiration. And there's this new country band called The Band Perry, and I swear to you, their lead singer IS my MC. She looks nothing like her, but her voice & the way she sings the songs, it's exactly how my MC sings. The first time I heard "If I Die Young" or "You Lie," I couldn't stop the chills.

07-05-2011, 01:07 PM	#8
Malin practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North of sweden Posts: 111	I put my ipod on scramble normaly it gives me a variety of 30 seconds to mars, tokio hotel, cinema bizarre, led zeppelin, meatloaf, bonjovi and aqua. Aqua I only use for light stuff, it isn't normaly my thing (it never were my thing not even during the 90's) But rock and alternative rock is usually where I find my inspiration. __________________ danger cupcake with murder icing Ladda ner och läs min novell WIP Death, by one word 20 047 / 80 000 NaNoWriMo project 0/50 000 You can find me on a number of places such as Tumblr Twitter

07-05-2011, 08:47 PM	#9
Annmarie09 Live. Love. Laugh. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Narnia Posts: 170	Mostly indie. When trying to concentrate, I prefer calmer stuff like 'The xx' or 'Radiohead' __________________ Cold Water, YA romance :http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005407BL2 Imprint, YA paranormal: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S04GNQ

07-05-2011, 09:49 PM	#10
Salt New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 177	Nature's music is my #1 inspiration. Thunderstorms on a loop can get me writing 4,000 words a day. Classical music and soundtracks are the second most helpful. Like if my novel takes place in deserts of arizona, I listen to some old western music. Suspenseful horror music to get my brain in the mood. Any music with words, I try to shy away from. I'm highly influenced by other people's music so I need just me and my own words in my head when writing.

07-05-2011, 09:49 PM	#11
thebloodfiend Cory Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 3,565	Nirvana Coldplay Belle and Sebastian Common Royksopp and Blue Magic Weird combo, but it works. __________________ fireflies - underground voices - nov '11 goodreads thebooklantern my wip

07-05-2011, 11:25 PM	#13
amlptj Speling & grammer murderer, Sorrie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 10,272	I have theme songs for all my characters, each one of my books, and certian events in each book. I pretty much only like a song if it relates to my series in one way or another! __________________ Legend of the Freaks YA Horror/Thriller Series 8 of 12 books complete WiP Re-write of first book FREAKs Unsung Zeros Psychological Thriller Rewrite -1/2 done On Hold The Amnesia Journey YA Fantasy RBSL Contemp/romantic comedy Legend of a Freak (Blog!)

07-05-2011, 11:27 PM	#14
trolly dei I'm in love with everything! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: City of Champions Posts: 76	Sigur Ros. I don't actually listen to them while writing, otherwise I can't listen properly.

07-06-2011, 01:12 AM	#15
mickeyDs4 practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 975	Josh Groban, Josh Groban and occasionally Good Charlotte but mostly Josh Groban. __________________ There is No Easy Street: Now available on the Nook, Kindle and Kobo! Wildflower Ridge: Rewrite! Beauty Like Columbines: 49,398/70,000 Silent Sonata: Shelved until further notice Someday We'll Know: R & D, First draft Funny Thing About Memory: R &D, First draft "Jane Austen is the pinnacle to which all other authors aspire." J.K Rowling

07-06-2011, 01:56 AM	#16
lisalulu09 Potterhead Gleek Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hogwarts Posts: 14,601	I do playlists - a musical outline I use when doing chapter notes and inspiration when I'm really stuck - and 'soundtracks', complete with opening and closing credit songs. When I'm writing I mostly listen to albums, but will listen to music TV, YouTube and last.fm (especially when I need/want new music or want to listen to music I haven't got) and what inspires me generally depends on the genre and tone of my story of the characters, but sometimes it depends on what my muse decides is inspiring. For Suns and Stars, I've been listening to a lot of pop punk, pop rock... and Taylor Swift, and lately Glee has been played a lot. And I'm a revent convert. __________________ Stupid Cupid - YA Romantic Comedy - Out in the world Ollie - MG Retelling of Oliver Twist -On hold Rome Forever After - YA Contemporary Romance - Writing the first draft (12K/24K) Reading: "Oliver Twist" - Charles Dickens "Tweet Heart" - Elizabeth Rudnick Facebook Blog Twitter

07-06-2011, 01:58 AM	#17
Belle_91 Her soul is greater than the ocean Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,353	Opening Titles from John Adams Chevalier de Sangreal from The Da Vinci Code 503 from Angels and Demons __________________ "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

07-06-2011, 04:03 AM	#18
Ashes Oh Ashes Honest, not Harsh Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: P-Town, OR Posts: 523	I find that my favorite writing music are songs without lyrics. Requiem for a Tower (Lux Aeterna) and Flight of the Valkyries come to mind. When people are singing, I tune in too much to the lyrics, and completely lose focus on what's at hand. __________________ All I do is rewrite.

07-06-2011, 05:42 AM	#19
Mandiloo322 [Shhhh....I'm writing.] Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 832	I definitely do this! Lately I've been stuck on Death Cab for Cutie, Linkin Park, and Ellie Goulding. Though recently Explosions in the Sky has caught my interest, and I'll probably add them to the top of the list.

07-06-2011, 06:26 AM	#20
Becca C. She of the 16 trunk novels. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Land of Playoff Disappointment Posts: 2,613	All kinds of 90s music does it for me... remember that song "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins? Suits my writing so much it just undoes me every time I hear it. __________________ A BRAVER THING - YA contemporary - revising WONDERFUL - YA high-concept - peeking out of my bottom drawer SHALL NOT SLEEP - YA magical realism - on hold for now PARIS & LONDON - YA contemporary - writing slowly Trunked: FAKE and THE KING OF GROWING UP, both contemporary YA I blog, too.

07-06-2011, 08:39 AM	#22
ShootingStarsMag New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177	I don't really have a go to song or band that helps me with writing, but I do like making playlists or just finding a few songs that fit whatever I'm currently working on. The MS I just finished editing not too long ago has a full playlist. I have random songs ready for story ideas that I haven't quite started...and I have a current WIP and another one I'm about to start as well that I need to find songs for. It gets me in the mood to write THAT story when I listen to them usually. __________________ Freelance Publicity: http://www.laurenashleybecker.com LGBT Blog: http://letsgetbeyondtolerance.blogspot.com/ Main Blog: http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

07-14-2011, 04:37 AM	#23
Lpapercranes Lauren C Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 14	My "writing music" falls into 3 categories: -songs I liked in high school (for YA) -whatever music my main character would like -songs that really fit the mood of a scene I'm working on.

07-14-2011, 03:08 PM	#24
Allaboutwords13 You Snooze, You Lose! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: England Posts: 1,279	tis funny, i wrote a thread on this yesterday and have so far had no replies... now i know why. Anyway, i've been listening to David Cook a lot. His music is really kind of sad and pop/rock with a slightly Taylor Swift feel to it (besides the fact he's a guy)

07-14-2011, 11:46 PM	#25
strawberryblondie not quite dying Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 859	I listen to a lot of older stuff while writing. The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, The Doors. My dad was so proud when he saw my playlist. __________________ Infinite Spaces (YA sci-fi): 71k - 3rd draft Necrosis (YA horror): 55k - NaNo 2012 winner Twitter / Tumblr

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