Question: What impact, if any, does music have on your writing? Do you listen to anything in particular while writing? What is your go-to jam or artist to get the juices flowing?

Oh yeah! Gotta keep the juices flowing! For me, it completely depends on what I’m writing, what character is most central, how clearly the ideas are flowing, and how complicated the scenes are that I’m writing. But I do absolutely use sound to help create the “trance” I want to be in as I write. Note that I didn’t just say “music”. One of the files I play the most is an hour-long recording of a ride inside a jet airliner…that air ‘hiss’, the sounds of people talking that are just mumbles you can’t understand, the occasional ‘ding’ of whatever that is you hear that must mean something to someone. When I’m actually on a plane like that, my mind just seems to tune-out everything and float along outside watching the plane pass by. And that’s how I want my mind to be with my stories; not “thinking it” or “writing it” but just watching it as it passes by and recording what it sees and hears. I usually put that file on “loop” and just enjoy the ride. The airplane sound is really great when I have to really get lost and don’t want to be distracted by “words”. If I really want “music” during those times, I’ll turn to Japanese flute and Taiko Drum music.

When I do use music, I sometimes select it based on the character I want to “feel” the most. In my Emily Graham series, Emily has a ‘thing’ for Skynard, Tom Petty, Clapton, and good old New Orleans Blues. If you have met Liz, you might understand her playlist of Bob Marley, the Crawdaddies, and even Fleetwood Mac. When Angelique is around, the room is usually resonating with drums, and Colonel Chambers has a thing for Bob Seger and the Beatles. Grandpa listens to Bing Crosby and other big band tunes, and has even developed a taste for Big T and the Badda Bings.

It is different when I want to get in touch with my characters on the other side. People like the Doctor in Disruption, Typhos in Distraction, and Klass in Disbelief take over the experience all on their own and don’t need help from sounds or music. The one exception has been the members of the VanHolling’s group, who prefer classical music. These folks are naturally controlling, and seem to have no problem taking my mind where it needs to go to understand them. When I’m focusing on those folks I usually save the music for afterwards to help me get them to go away so I can have my life back. Sometimes, when I’ve been dragged way down into that world, I need something to consciously regain control and I turn to my Stan Freberg collection, or something by Kathleen Madigan, or John Pinnette. At other times, I fire up the old Fender Super Reverb and make my own noise. Any way to get those people out of my head!

And, of course, what about when I write and illustration the Skwerdlock and other books for young readers and listeners? Don’t ask me why, but for some reason it’s the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, or the old time radio programs with Fred Allen. Go figure.

What I listen to depends on what I need to be doing, and who I need to connect with. Like I said above, it’s like some kind of “trance” for me. These people become real, and I just record the stuff they say and do. For those clinical folks who may read this, I appreciate your concern, but at least so far I do still realize they are still characters…and I’m not. That gives me comfort.

How about you? Do you have a special sound, tune, or other resource that helps you with the writing/work/relaxation “trance”.

Note:

Just so you know, this has been a very long day and we have storms coming in later which will make it a very long night, so I am tired and really didn’t feel like blogging. I want to express my thanks to Bob Marley for helping me find the focus to get this written. One love, one heart, let’s get together and be alright! Rasta Man!