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Wednesday's WIP Ink

Hey, it's Jess!

 Today I kind of just wanted to do a quick post on music in writing or revising your WIP. I think a lot of writers use playlists, and I for one find them incredibly inspiring. So I'm going to share my current playlists!

 Since GYRE is written in two alternating POVs, I seem to have gravitated to two vastly different (and yet sometimes incredibly similar) artists. For Chelsea, my firecracker rocker-girl turned archaeologist, Fall Out Boy's new album Save Rock and Roll appears to hit the mark. There's a little bit of proving one's worth in it weaved with a "I'm back and rockin'" statement that I just can't tear away from. I LOVE it so much! For Trevor, a more laid back but just as intense album came to my attention: Imagine Dragon's Night Visions (which you can listen to in full here). There are a few more peppy, happy songs on this album, which works well with GYRE's light scenes. And, with songs like Radioactive, On Top of the World and Every Night, how can you turn the music off?

 For me, the music has to fit the characters as well as the tone of the novel, and so finding just the right songs may be difficult. I assure you, though, it is SO helpful! When I'm stuck, I just put on one of those albums and suddenly everything's clear.

 How about you, do you write to music? How do you pick it?

Comments

  1. Ink in the BookMay 15, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    Call me old. But I love classical music while I write. When I wrote GRAVE CLOTHES LAUNDRESS I listened to The Phantom of the Opera nonstop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica HarveyMay 15, 2013 at 8:40 PM

      There's nothing wrong with that! When I write HERO, I listen to piano music by Yiruma. Although, don't ask me to explain how --that-- fits the story at all LOL.

      Delete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughMay 15, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    I listen to metal and prog rock when writing, although other music can have an influence. Clever idea to listen to two styles of music for two different characters. I'll have to remember that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica HarveyMay 15, 2013 at 8:39 PM

      It's working pretty well, and it's helping me keep their voices separate. At least I hope it is haha.

      Delete
  3. GSMarleneMay 16, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    You (and your characters) have excellent taste in music! I don't arrange a playlist specifically to write a scene or even a book, but a random song will sometimes help get just the right mood. My playlist is huge and widely varying over 4 decades.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica HarveyMay 17, 2013 at 3:13 PM

      Wow! 4 Decades! That's quite the variety!

      Usually it's not a full album, but more like your "one song here, one from there"!

      Delete
  4. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    For me, I usually just stumble upon the music and a scene unfolds in my head. I love it when that happens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica HarveyMay 17, 2013 at 3:19 PM

      That's exactly how GYRE started! Isn't it a great feeling?

      Delete
  5. Carrie-AnneMay 16, 2013 at 4:18 PM

    When I was writing my contemporary historical Bildungsroman, I primarily listened to The Hollies and The Four Seasons. For my hiatused 1980s historical, I mostly listened to Eighties music.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Funny thing, at least during nano this past year my writing music was the sound of my husband playing disgaea.

    ReplyDelete

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