Reality Bypass

Friday Flashback: Writing to the beat August 20, 2010

Friday flashback from Jun 12, 2008.

It seems to be a trend for folks to be writing about the music we write to. This was brought to my attention over on one of my favorite blogs (Romancing the Blog). So I decided not to be a trend breaker and bring the subject home to scrawl about.

I love music. Very rarely am I wandering around without some kind of music on. I turn music on at home, wander around with my Ipod on, exercise to music, mow the lawn to music. You get the point. Music is a huge part of my emotional frame of reference.

When it comes to writing I see and hear my scenes at once. They play out in my brain like a movie, though I hear and see everything. Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming to my brain, truth told. So while some people feel like listening to music drowns out their inner voice for me it’s a backdrop and enhances everything I experience. Because of this I end up creating multiple play lists for various emotional states and genres. Before my Ipod came along (Thank you to my dear husband) I had stacks of CDs sorted by what I’d play them for and would go a little nuts trying to get things switched around and not lose my train of thought. Now I can just swap around between playlists and I love it. It makes my writing flow and I can’t imagine a manuscript without musical inspiration. Now, I have work to do…where is that Ipod?

For the curious – Some Songs on the Whispers playlist

Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
Now or Never – Josh Groban
Hurt – Christina Aguilera
Lips of an Angel – Hinder
Breakdown – Daughtry
Wild Boys – Duran Duran
Don’t Pay The Ferryman – Chris DeBurgh
Sober – Kelly Clarkson
Broken – Seether
Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
Fight the Good Fight – Triumph
Renegade – Styx
Fall For You – Secondhand Serenade