Welcome to a special edition of the Bunkhouse, as our wonderful Liz is off cruising for research - and yes, the rest of us here at M&M are green with envy! No fears, though, we are not jealous enough for murder. Well...wait a minute, Cassy has just returned from a lovely writing retreat in Italy....Girls, I think something's up here. Maybe their "disappearances" are a front for something else? Should we be worried? Naahh...They will come back and post their great adventures and what they've learned!
So today let's talk about having a musical muse. Do you write better with music in the background? If so, what kind? I know many people who create soundtracks for their stories. I am one of those people. Only when I write, the fresh creative stuff, I need totally peace and quiet to concentrate and let the movie play in my head. Now, when I finish a chapter or a scene, THEN I can play music, have the tv on in the background or be anywhere when I'm editing and polishing. What I really love is creating the playlist for the story, sometimes I'll hear a song that will remind me of a tender moment between hero/heroine or even the big black moment - and then I work around that so the music really parallels the story right up until the end! And I use that music to keep me motivated when I'm not behind the keys!
I've also gotten ideas from a song I've heard on the radio or seen the video for.
Here in the Bunkhouse it's mostly country music that motivates me. But I've been known to crank up the classic rock, and even some current pop tunes (thanks to my darling Diva!) And there are times when those tunes will fit with my story! LOVE it!
Are you motivated by music? Does your muse prefer a certain style? I'd love to hear how music moves YOU! Does your muse have any crazy musical habits?
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9 comments:
I do have music on during writing for back noise or white noise. And it's generally country music or a general list off the computer. It doesn't feed my muse, but it sure helps me get a little more motivated. My muse dances when I pamper her:)
I've always found this topic fascinating. My husband listens almost constantly as do my kids. I, on the other hand, seem to go for quiet- unless it's the sound of the washer and dryer doing their thing. Why is that? I find music often an intrusion working against all the noise in my head- unless I'm chopping garlic (!).
Listen to music a lot, but never when I'm writing. I keep hearing about the soundtrack idea, but I have to admit, I've never tried it.
Hmm....maybe this time around I'll see if the music train works for me.
I love music and do listen to it a lot, but I have to have total quiet when I'm creating something new.
Although for some reason when we are traveling in the car with music playing, kids talking, games making noises, I can tune it all out and write.
Must be a survival mechanism :-)
Barbie Jo, you might be on to something with everyone going off on these jaunts! I'm about ready for one myself. LOL
I don't create a playlist, but I've often been inspired by a song, and it'll play in my mind while writing certain scenes. I need quiet to draft new material at home, but I somehow can draft new stuff while sitting in a noisy Starbucks. LOL I don't have any idea how that works!
Tonya - it's great to pamper your muse! Mine wants a manicure in the worst way...and another writing retreat. If she keeps cooperating, maybe she will get a reward! LOL.
Cassy - I'm with you. Music distracts me when I write (I'll end up daydreaming or singing to it). Everything else I can nicely ignore.
EC - Climb aboard the train!!! I find the soundtracks fun to make and a nice distraction while doing so as it keeps me in the story when I need to take alittle break and separate myself from the writing. And then when I can't be writing, I can at least keep the music going!
HA!! Kari, I LOVE survival mechanism!! It's sooo true. Why else can we be productive in a noisy car, or sports practice, yet in the comfort of our own home we need quiet.
Donna - that's why I love having a little playlist. I can put it on in the car or while I'm working out and can be thinking of the scene I want to write next!
I think we need to have an M&M blogfest/field trip!
Like you, Barbie Jo and several others, I've got music on in the background. Country music. Not so much for inspiration or help create a mood but because I have silence. And I also happen to like country. And there are times when I'm concentrating so hard, yes ladies, it's possible for a man to concentrate on something other than sports, I totally miss a really favorite song.
I tend to go for quiet, writing or not writing. I blame it on a bad experience with a boyfriend who was in a band.LOL. I love music, but listen to it rarely. Weird, I know. When I'm writing especially, I need quiet. On a rare occasion, I'll put on something as I'm editing. I prefer Loreena McKennitt or Nickelback or Evanescence.
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