tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post4979849977257775636..comments2024-01-01T11:51:53.860-08:00Comments on Babbles from Scott Eagan: Motivation and WritingScott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-44240580453788416672010-02-06T09:57:45.926-08:002010-02-06T09:57:45.926-08:00I am a total music person, so I find it ironic tha...I am a total music person, so I find it ironic that when I'm writing I need silence. <br />However when I'm out walking with my ipod or driving in the car, I find music can help me construct a scene in my head before I get back to the keyboard.<br />Movie soundtracks work the best for me.<br />Great question - I've enjoyed reading everyone's answers :)Melissa Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096876704344997093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-82115653019467853822010-02-06T07:10:09.421-08:002010-02-06T07:10:09.421-08:00Music is so individual to each story, and I typica...Music is so individual to each story, and I typically compile a "soundtrack" for each manuscript. This usually includes songs of various styles--fast music for edge-of-the-seat scenes, slow and perhaps depressing music for emotional moments, haunting music for frightening scenes. <br /><br />The odd part is, I don't really know how I choose songs to be part of each soundtrack. I just do, and collect more as the time goes on. When the music works, I feel like I've given myself a muse injection. But when it doesn't, the writing comes to a sharp halt too. <br /><br />The easiest list to compile was for a book w/a character from Ireland. Lots of Irish punk, rock, folk, instrumental w/strings, etc. Worked perfectly to keep the words flowing. <br /><br />Great question :)<br /><br />ElaineThe Writers Canvas, Author Elaine Callowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05876278015231782761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-14357044140439352812010-02-06T03:59:14.128-08:002010-02-06T03:59:14.128-08:00I'm not a music person--don't own much in ...I'm not a music person--don't own much in the way any kind of music (probably not helped by a complete lack of rhythm and no sense of timing). If music were playing while I was writing, I would very likely tune it completely out mentally.Linda Maye Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07203020058437093901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-69291991217355350192010-02-05T22:12:07.001-08:002010-02-05T22:12:07.001-08:00I listen to everything, but when I hear a song tha...I listen to everything, but when I hear a song that fits what I am writing, I tend to replay it until I'm finished.Meagan Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14266429461989800266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-2509085594459800272010-02-05T20:20:49.445-08:002010-02-05T20:20:49.445-08:00I definitely listen to music and believe it's ...I definitely listen to music and believe it's huge in setting a mood. I modify the music depending on the scene. If it's a more romantic love scene, I need something slow and moving like Maxwell's "A woman's work". If it is an action scene, maybe "Conga Fury" from the Matrix. If it's a club scene, maybe some trance or techno scene. The one thing I do wonder sometimes is whether the scene sounds amazing in my head because I've just listened to great music and have put myself into "the moment". Either way, I always make a point to come back later and reread the scene without the music... just to make sure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-2549295993610845242010-02-05T20:10:27.147-08:002010-02-05T20:10:27.147-08:00I didn't realize that music played a role in m...I didn't realize that music played a role in my writing until I read your question. I tend to listen to soundtracks. When I write my characters' action scenes, I listen to Hans Zimmer (in particular the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Gladiator'). If I'm leaning more towards scary, I listen to the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' soundtrack, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie,etc. Other times when I'm editing, I'll listen to New Age music, as it tends to be more mellow. <br /><br />Comcast On Demand has great choices of music to match my writing moods as well. Thanks for posting this!Cupcakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02010678684325713621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-24100531329013326282010-02-05T19:54:53.474-08:002010-02-05T19:54:53.474-08:00I love earthy instrumental or classical music to l...I love earthy instrumental or classical music to listen to when writing. I don't like anything with lyrics because it tends to be a bit distracting. However, my characters do have their own theme song!Lindseyhttp://www.thewritewords-lindsey.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-14726511109926850802010-02-05T19:10:39.901-08:002010-02-05T19:10:39.901-08:00My writing area is in the kitchen, and I can hear ...My writing area is in the kitchen, and I can hear the television, the kids, the husband, etc... so I have to do something to tune everything out and focus. I have my mp3 player, filled with mostly pop stuff, some 80's music, etc. <br /><br />It's a block, nothing more, one more way to disconnect from the world around me and write.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18274178330113713370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-89282751672067574962010-02-05T18:33:46.608-08:002010-02-05T18:33:46.608-08:00Very interesting question, Scott.
Usually when I&...Very interesting question, Scott.<br /><br />Usually when I'm looking for music to motivate me, it is a song that reminds me of a specific character. I play it for a while before I sit down to write. When I turn it off, I feel like I am much more in tune with that character, and I'm ready to start typing out the story.<br /><br />In the series I'm working on, the hero has lots of hard rock and metal songs. I won't give too much detail, since you're reviewing my work right now (hence the anonymous), but he is a rather dark character. I find a lot of songs by Muse and Three Days Grace work for him, as well as some older rock.<br /><br />Although I write from the point of view of the heroine, I will often listen to his songs before action scenes where he is kicking some major ass and/or chapters where his role is extremely pertinent--even if the reader is unaware his actions are of any major significance at that moment.<br /><br />On the other hand, my heroine has a wide variety of music. Her songs fall anywhere from upbeat pop to depressed, lamenting rocker-girl music. She has a very wide range; anything from Shakira, Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, etc. Her songs usually tend to focus on the romance between her and the aforementioned hero. <br /><br />I have an easier time writing from her perspective, so I find I don't need to listen to her music as much. However, when I write romantic scenes it is usually her music I listen to. Though the hero has a few romantic tunes as well.<br /><br />But perhaps the strangest thing about my music listening habits is that I can't actually listen to music when I write. I suppose I'm easily distracted. I find myself thinking about the characters in relation to the songs too much. I listen to the music before I write, but as soon as I feel ready to hit the keyboard, the music goes off.<br /><br />Hope that answers your question some. Have a nice weekend! =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com