I thought I’d talk about something I consider nearly
integral to my writing process:
GOOD MUSIC
I’m pretty sure that the majority of writers have acoustic
preferences when trying to write, and I am no different in that respect. In
this post, I am covering some of I music that I find helpful when I’m
desperately trying to summon another sentence through sheer willpower (heaven
knows it can’t be skill). There are a few points I would like to bring up
before I begin here, though.
1) This following post of music-related advice is what helps
for ME—that is, a young adult science fiction writer. I have little-to-no idea
if this will be helpful to you as there exists a broad spectrum of music that
must correspond to each genre. 16th-century-drama people may prefer
Beethoven, for instance, and modern romance novelette writers could work with
just percolating hormones (for all I know). If you can write while listening to
loud heavy metal, I envy your concentration. In any case, this is what I,
personally, a mostly-sci-fi writer, prefer to have echoing in my skull next to
the sentence fragments. Gonna keep reading? Very well. Just promise me you’ll
do something constructive when you’re done here.
2) I will be writing about each of my musical preferences
whilst under the influence of the very music about which I’m writing. If you
look carefully at each of the sections, then, you may find signs of which
albums to avoid. You’re welcome.
3) All of my recommendations are music without words. I have
a hard time keeping my thoughts and the song lyrics separate, so it is just
easier to listen to instrumentals.
4) I thought there was going to be a fourth point, but then
there wasn’t. I guess the moral here is to more effectively plan out your
writing.
#
Is all that clear? Didn’t think so. Anyway, here is the
first album I favor while I’m typing something:
SILENCE
No, this isn’t an album. If you can find it on iTunes,
you’re being ripped off. If I’m really trying to concentrate on what I’m doing
or if I’m having a slow day, sometimes it helps to be in complete silence. But,
especially if I’ve caught the elusive Writing Bug and I’m on a roll, I will
listen to music. Here’s one choice…
PORTAL STORIES: MEL SOUNDTRACK
This is my top recommendation for ambient music while
writing science fiction. Portal Stories:
Mel is a fan-made spinoff of the popular Portal video game franchise, and
it’s the best spinoff of, well…anything I’ve seen. Don’t get me started on the
game itself, or we’ll be here all day (I do wholeheartedly include Portal Stories: Mel in the Portal
canon). The soundtrack, which I was able to isolate from the game files and
copy into an iTunes album, is great background music for the sci-fi world
you’re fleshing out. And, since the music was meant to be playing while you’re
trying to solve (abnormally difficult!) Portal-style puzzles, it is ideal music
for thinking and plotting your next move. It’s certainly been a favorite of
mine as I revise my books. Get the soundtrack if you can—but only get
the game itself if you’re a die-hard Portal fan. It may be free, but the gameplayers’
#1 complaint was that Portal Stories: Mel
was way too hard (It took a while, but I solved all the puzzles completely
on my own—before they released the wimpier story version). Okay, back to the
music. Next…
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN SOUNDTRACKS
It doesn’t sound very science-fiction-esque, but trust me,
the soundtracks from the four (so far) Pirates
movies are serious imagination fuel. I have a hard time choosing between all
four of them, but if you put a gun to my head for some weird reason and commanded
me to choose, I’d pick the score from the first movie. That happens to be the
album I’m listening to right now (“The Medallion Calls” currently playing
here). The first Pirates will always
be the best, but I will grudgingly support a fifth movie if they keep up the orchestra.
The guitar stuff in #3 was pushing it, though.
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA SOUNDTRACKS
Again with the gun? Fine! If I have to choose a favorite, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is
my favorite album of the three. It also isn’t terribly sci-fi, but it’s still
imagination nitro. I’d strongly recommend it to fantasy writers as well.
PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING BY GEORGE WINSTON
I’m a (lazy) pianist, and if I had to choose a role model
aside from my long-suffering former piano teacher, I would idolize George
Winston. There is so much to choose from: Linus
and Lucy, Autumn, Forest…it’s not a score for your battle scene, but DEAR
HEAVEN it’s some good piano. I currently have “Japanese Music Box” from the Forest album on repeat—it’s peaceful yet
slightly sinister (in my imagination).
GREGORIAN CHANT
Not kidding. I do actually find it helpful when I’m writing
nearly anything, from a descriptive scene of a short story to a college book
report. Also, as a Catholic, I can understand a fraction of the Latin. So if
musically praying monks don’t give you the heebie-jeebies, give it a try. I
have the Assumption album by the
Benedictine Monks of Fontgombault Abbey, and it’s quite nice.
MANY OTHER THINGS
You and I both don’t have the time to go through the mishmash
of other writing music I have (including I,
Robot; some Star Wars, of course;
Sherlock Holmes; Sherlock; Marvel’s soundtracks,
especially Ironman…), but I hope this
has been a slightly helpful look into the musical echoings that often result in
a story. And now, since I’m done writing here, time to tune in to Def Leppard.
See ya.
