Comments on: Oasis, Alanis, Anne Rice, and Gilbert Grape

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:06:16 +0000

I most certainly write to music … I make playlists on my ipod and whenever I need to sink into a particular project I just put on the playlist. Helps me get in the mood/emotions for whatever I'm working on quickly.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:58:22 +0000

Oh most definitely. My music memoir engages precisely this concept, using particular songs or concerts as a lens through which to view different parts of my life. Music is such a transporting artform, maybe more so than others, with its ability to bring us to certain memories with really, just a few notes.

By: Haste yee back ;-)

Haste yee back ;-) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:12:44 +0000

Got nothin' to do with music, but lots to do with memory.

Wife and I used to live in Hawaii, (The Big Island - Kona side). Everyday she'd put on Hawaiian Tropic sun tanning lotion.

When we left Hawaii, I bought a bottle and to this day, when I open it and pass it under my nose, I'm right back there... love, love, that experience.

I'll have to try music writing!

Haste yee back ;-)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:55:00 +0000

I played Zelda on my N64 with an early Britney Spears' hit repeating on the stereo. Zelda is now forever tied to the phrase, "Hit me baby one more time!"

More closely related to the topic, I have cd's and soundtracks made especially for my writing process, and for those certain songs I have yet to tire of them.

By: Joelle Anthony

Joelle Anthony — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:49:48 +0000

I too am married to a singer/songwriter, but we have a deal. He only plays instrumental music when I'm reading or writing (usually guitar - although he's been on a ukulele kick lately and he's lucky it hasn't ended up in the woodstove)because if there are words, I can't concentrate. He rarely plays his own music unless he's getting ready for a gig, so mostly what I hear is a lot of old-time fiddle tunes on guitar, and some classical and it doesn't register much other than this very pleasant sensation in the background.

I have written a bottom drawer novel that includes one of his songs, but I fear it won't ever see the light of day.

My debut novel, which comes out in May is about a fiddler and my husband and a young fiddler friend of mine went into the recording studio and recorded a handful of the tunes and songs from the book. Eventually I'll have them available for download on my site.

By: Tere Kirkland

Tere Kirkland — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:26:16 +0000

Odd, I listened to Nine Inch Nails when I read Anne Rice– Downward Spiral– Alanis was reserved for Voracios rereadings of Jane Eyre. I was a weird kid.

Thanks for this. It really took me back.

By: Laurie T.

Laurie T. — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:18:18 +0000

For me, writing can't exist without music. For each novel I work on I create playlists which help me create. And hearing a song, any song, can spark a scene or dialogue. Music is a necessity.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:14:21 +0000

My hubby is a singer/songwriter and one of his songs from his second CD kept playing over in over in my head for several years and something about the lyrics wouldn't let me go. It led to my recently completed YA urban fantasy and after reading it, my husband was so inspired that he wrote a different (and equally amazing) song based on my book. So it's a circular process for me and I feel surrounded by music – literally, as his band practices in our basement!

By: Mindi Scott

Mindi Scott — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:18:45 +0000

I use that same method of feeling like I have to listen to a certain type of music in order to write specific projects effectively. For the one I'm revising now, I find that Social Distortion, Staind, and Tom Petty are the most effective.

It's kind of frustrating, but given the choice of suffering through Staind on repeat for twelve hours while getting it right, or listening to something I like and NOT getting it right, I have to chose the former every time!