Hello Bookworms!
I started writing this post...what, a month ago? Two? Yikes! This got out of hand. Oh well, let's jump into the topic! I'm talking about 10 of my favorite songs to listen to while writing. That's it. Nothing else. Enjoy!
#10: Footloose
There's something about this song that is just: fun. The tune is exciting, the words are slightly rebellious, and the general atmosphere of the song is that of an adventure I'd love to go on. I've never seen the movie it's from, but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy the song. This is usually what I listen to when I'm writing something fun, and not terribly depressing or tragic.
#9: Hold My Heart
This is a song by ZZ Ward and Lindsey Stirling on Lindsey's new album: Brave Enough. There were several songs on that album that I wanted to write about, but this one stood out to me. It has simple and easy to understand words, and is saying something great for writing strong female characters: just because they don't need the man to save them, doesn't mean they don't need the man. There's a fine line in writing between needy women and overly independent women. If you want to write one, fine, go ahead. Just know when that's what you're writing. (I think I got of track though. :) ) The music is very reminiscent of a 20s murder mystery, and has an air of class and mystery that I find excellent for writing complex dialogue. (All dialogue is complex, but sometimes there's a verbal sparing match happening between two characters, and you suddenly realize: wait, did he just say that?!)
#8: Pioneer
This song by The Band Perry inspires hope, adventure, and a sense of purpose. The first time I listened to it I was lost in the words and the music, but since then it has become a symbol of my wandering mind. This is the song for your dreamer character. This is a song that tells of determination and peaceful, blind hope. It's pretty calm, but near the end the music becomes very...emotion-awakening, and it still gives me goosebumps.
#7: Your Side of Town
By Maddie and Tae, this country song is full of threats of revenge, cheeky sass, and a fun sense of being fed up with people who betray us. I use this song as inspiration for one of my characters in TreasureHood, especially with the division between the pirates and the other people. (Yes, I'm working on a better name for them!)
#6: Lone Ranger
I recently watched the 2013 Lone Ranger movie, and found that the movie was excellent! (I'll be working on a post for that soon) This song I felt should have been in the movie, had it been written yet. Lone Ranger by Rachel Platten is an AMAZING song. It has a wandering sense, and feels like the Old West, but not in an overbearing manner. The song's an upbeat minor song, (which is actually not very common outside of soundtracks) and I enjoy writing anything general. For example: if you have to write an essay. I know that's a terrible example, but seriously. This is the kind of song you listen to when writing a first draft, and just trying to get the words out there on the page. This could be for light dialogue, it could also be for scenery or history, or even a cute bunny trail like the ones I tend to write on here. Basically, this is what you listen to when you're writing what you already know, but just need to get out there actually onto paper.
#5: El Dorado
Named after the City of Gold from Aztec mythology, this song by Two Steps from Hell, (a trailer music group) lives up to its expectations. I've heard many people have different ideas from listening to this song, but I always imagine it starting out as a thief running through the streets of that ancient city, then slowly his life gets more and more complicated and entwined in the government of the city. Different people hear different things, but this song almost always wakes up a muse of mine. It's EPIC, and while all the songs by the group could be called epic, this song's quick and light pace, (At least to start with) has made itself stand out in my mind.
#4: World on Fire
Speaking of epic, this song is mostly used in fan videos on youtube, but it registers a level of despair, and forging ahead through that despair that gets to me. Most of my muses have responded to this song, but generally it's either an opening first act song, or a third act song. (Or, it's usually the 'moment where it becomes real' for the main character, or the moment of apparent defeat.) I like it, and it's very dark, and in minor.
#3: One Day More
No, I don't have to explain this one. Les Mis. Simple. If you don't know it, well, look it up. And I am very surprised at you. (also, I am very interested in learning just how you've gone so long without hearing one of the greatest songs EVER?!) So, I will talk about what this song has inspired. This song is like Pioneer, only with more desperate anger. It's inspired character who want to change the world, and it's inspired characters who want nothing to change. All in all, it's inspired a lot of dialogue. This is the song I listen to when trying to figure out the relationship between different people. So....yup.
#2: One Girl Revolution
So, Superchick has apparently disbanded, (so sad!) but I still LOVE this song by theirs. (I was in a 'women empowerment' mindset when I wrote this list, can you tell?) This is agressive, and about women being awesome even if they don't look like it. I use this song to inspire any character who does any kind of fighting: whether it's sword fighting, martial arts, kickboxing, verbal sparing, anything. This is a song for making a difference.
#1: Immortals
YES I love this song, it's awesome! My number one song for this list is by Fall Out Boy, and most people have heard it in Big Hero 6, (fascinating movie, also need to do a post about it. Let me know if that's interesting) I actually don't use this song for my immortal characters, (yes, I have a few.) but instead I use this song to inspire moments where my characters have to decide what exactly would be worth more to them than their lives. Interesting that I use a song called 'immortals' for when characters are faced with their own mortality. Huh. Maybe I need to examine my head for a sense of irony?
Anyway, please let me know what you thought, (and also if this was too long!) Seriously, other than the practice I get from writing these, I can't really get better without your comments! Positive or negative, just as long as it's constructive! I'll get back to you guys soon! Happy Fall! Scribe Ergo Quae Vidiste Vivere!
