Does music set the mood? I find my creativity increases the minute I turn on music. And I’ve learned that specific music works in certain situations, for different manuscripts. For instance, while writing my book set in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, I wrote to the soundtrack of the movie Witness. An obvious choice, perhaps, but there was something about those orchestral combinations, those throbbing cellos, that really quickened my pulse and made my fingers fly over the keyboard.

In fact, soundtracks are my favorite music to write by. There’s a reason the particular music in a soundtrack was created—to mimic a mood the filmmakers were hoping to inspire in their audience. It works, even if the audience is a lonely writer sitting at her keyboard!

This morning I was listening to Annie Lennox. Her “Walking on Broken Glass” is one of my favorite tunes on my gym playlist. But some of her other songs are more reflective, more painful. The next time I write an emotionally wrenching scene (and those are my favorite kinds!) I’ll listen to “Why” or “No More I Love You’s”. I can just HEAR the angst spilling all over my keyboard!

I’m listening to the soundtrack from Forrest Gump as I write this. It’s inspiring me to…run.

2 Comments on Music for writing

  1. Rober
    June 16, 2012 at 11:19 pm (12 years ago)

    I’m a children’s book nerd, so it’s hard to pick just one. From my own chdoihold, my favorite picture books were Little Golden Books illustrated by Eloise Wilkin, like Baby Dear. My favorite big kid book was A Wrinkle in Time. As a mom, I love the Olivia books by Ian Falconer, and anything by Maurice Sendak, Margaret Wise Brown, and David Shannon.

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  2. Gerlano
    June 18, 2012 at 5:56 am (12 years ago)

    Typically for boys 10-14, books by Jim Kjelgaard:- Classic tales: Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red- For adventure: Snow Dog, Wild Trek- Other frivaotes: Wildlife Cameraman, StormyOther compelling great ones:By Alexander Key: The Forgotten Door and Escape To Witch MountainBy Robb White: The Lion’s Paw

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