Music for writing

I'm of the belief that creative people are creative in lots of different areas. I, for example, spin and knit and sew and paint and well, lots of things.

But sometimes it's tough to get into the creative mood. Those juices don't always come on demand.

Those are the times I listen to music. And lots of it. There's just something about music that helps to inspire me.

And I like all kinds of tunes. As a child of the '80s, I fondly remember the "big hair bands" like Warrant, Poison, and Stryper. My first album was a Men at Work one. At some point I found a few country artists who spoke to me: Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift.

Then there's the classics. Sometimes it's better to have the instrumentals just so I don't get caught up in the words.

However, my favorite writing music has a Celtic undertone. Enya and Celtic Women are often heard from my office as I crank out a few thousand words for the day.

Like any other "mental devise," though, even my stand-by selections don't always work. I'm often in search of new bands, new songs to add to the mix.

What music do you suggest? What inspires you? What is good to write to?

Blessings!

Nichole

Writing soundtrack

"You look like an angel, walk like an angel, talk like an angel...then I got wise. You're the devil in disguise."

Nope, not a line from a paranormal novel, just lyrics from The King--Elvis.

Recently, I've found myself listening to Elvis while writing love scenes. However, I think in the future I'm going to need something a little stronger. Music seems to help me over the initial uncomfortableness of those sort of scenes and adds a bit of fun as well.

Sometimes, while writing, I do need music. At those times, I listen to soundtracks from Broadway musicals and lots of Disney music, jazz, pop, whatever and where the mood takes me.

Other times, I need quiet when writing.

Whatever you listen to, it's interesting to see if that music influences writing.

Music? Or talking?

OK, I admit it.  I have strange taste in music.  Seriously, it's all across the board!

My iPod holds everything from Celtic music (new and traditional) to 80s head-banger stuff.  There's even some Toby Keith and Brooks and Dunn.  (Hey, I live in South Dakota!  What did you expect?)

But what do I listen to as I write, you ask?  

Podcasts!

Seriously!

Lime and Violet usually top the list.  Their knitting podcasts run about two hours of fun and that's about enough time for me to get into a groove.  My second choice is usually Charmed Angel Talk, an internet call-in show  dealing with....  well, angels.

If I'm really just wanting some music to write to, I stick to Enya.  Her classic sound is soothing and easy to have as background noise.  

Blessings!

Nichole