Friday, 4 September 2015

Writing Music: Save Me!

Music is a very important part of my writing. It inspires scenes, characters, emotions, and even plot elements. And, most importantly, music also helps me get into the right mood and creative space so I can actually write. Some days, this is more difficult than usual, but the right song at the right time really gives me a creative boost. I often share these songs in this Writing Music series, in the hopes that, if they’ve worked for me, maybe someone else will find them useful as well. And usually, my playlist has the right piece to get me out of whatever creative slump I’m in at the moment. But I have a confession to make.

I’m stuck.

Yep, it’s true. I can’t seem to muster the energy and motivation to set aside the time in my busy life to get to work editing my book. I want to, but the creative space keeps eluding me, getting lost inside the list of 101 other things I think I should be doing instead. I need a shot of powerful music, something inspiring, epic, or beautiful, to get me in the right headspace. But I can’t find the right song from my own stash of music.

So today, I’m asking you, what music gets you in the right mood to write? What is your favourite song at the moment? Or what is the last good song you listened to? I’d love it if you shared your own best music with me in the comments, through titles, or YouTube links. Normally I’m the one with all the recommendations, but today, I really need your help. So please, suggest some great music to me, and help me find my creative spark again.

And just so I don’t leave you without any music at all this week, here is my favourite cover of ‘Fight Song’, which is my current reminder that, even though life is busy and writing is hard, I can keep pushing on and find my energy again.


It’s up to you guys! Leave your best music recommendations in the comments. My favourite songs suggested by you might appear in a Writing Music post in the near future!

7 comments:

  1. I personally find Audiomachine really inspiring for writing. I don't know if you're already familiar with them, but some of my favourites by them are "Battle of the Kings", "Guardians at the Gate", and "Amethyst".

    Good luck finding music!! I'll probably be haunting the comments myself to see what everyone else suggests...

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    1. Ooh, thank you for these recommendations! I just listened to them while catching up on blogging, and I loved them. I haven't listened to much Audiomachine at all. I think it's time I investigated more of their music. Thanks so much for suggesting some music!

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  2. Oh man, Okay.
    So, I really like Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon lately. It's just HAPPY.
    Then I like Begging for Thread by Banks.
    Then there's Ex's and Oh's by Elle King.
    Ship to Wreck by Florence and the Machines.
    Sam Smith is great for any heartbreaking moments/feelings.
    Believe by Mumford and Sons (There's a looot of songs I like by Mumford and Sons, I'd recommend you give them a listen in general where as the others I'm suggesting a song here or there since I haven't done a proper listen to the rest of their music.)
    X Ambassadors has a song called Renegades that I like...
    Now for some old-skool ones.. (OR older ones that I don't think came out this year.. or I've heard for the first time this year)
    Two Princes by Spin Doctors (I also like Little Miss Can't Be Wrong)
    One Headlight by the Wallflowers.
    Linger by Cranberries
    Stay by Lisa Loeb
    Heads will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. (also, I really like Maps. But not for the versus. I just get the "They don't love you like I love you" stuck in my head and it doesn't go away)
    Torn by Natalie Imbruglia.
    Fairytale by Sara Bareilles (And Gravity. and City. I like a lot of her music. I have't listened to her newer stuff too much, but I like her)
    Memories by Within Temptation (Stand my Ground is also really good, Angels... There's a lot. But I always recommend Memories first.)
    I also like Reel Big Fish, but I know I haven't listened to EVERYTHING they have. Sell out and The Set Up are fun. Down in Flames is fun. Where Have you been, Kiss me deadly.. Just pick one and see if you like their style.
    Then you know I really like Bastille. Flaws is probably one of my favorite songs, especially the "live at abbey road" version.
    That's all I can think of at the moment. I might send you more later on after I wake up some more and after I get some more coffee into my system.

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    1. Okay! I have a few more.
      Enter the Haggis has a couple I really love. Try December Ends and Echo of a Whisper.
      Then there is A Fine Frenzy: Elements, Bird of Summer, Almost Lover, & Think of You are my favorites.
      Zombie by Miser (The song is originally from the Cranberries, but I like this cover a lot)
      Shadows by Red
      Drops of Jupiter & Meet Virginia by Train
      We Might as Well be Strangers and Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
      Savior by Rise Against
      Shattered by O.A.R.
      Shh by Frou Frou
      Natasha Beddingfield: I Bruise Easily, Stumble, & Size Matters are my favorites.
      Goo Goo Dolls: Slide, Iris, Black Baloon.. they have a lot I like
      Favorite Color by One Less Reason
      Gravity by Vienna Teng, also by her: The Tower, My Medea, City Hall, and Eric's Song
      Evanescence: Missing.. There's a few others, but I really like this song.

      Anddddd.. I'm gonna stop while I'm still ahead. XD Also, I need to get to school, so I'm out of time at the moment.

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  3. Ooh, this song's really nice, even though I feel like it's a touch too simplistic for me. Recently I've fallen in love with Taylor's new MV Wildest Dreams, although I am more obsessed with Lorde's music in general, I think.

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  4. DID SOMEONE ASK FOR WRITING MUSIC?!

    Never fear. I am here to help. :D

    (Just a disclaimer - I only write to instrumental music, so none of these have lyrics. I hope you're okay with that!)

    "Neville's Waltz" - Patrick Doyle (from the Harry Potter soundtrack)
    "Morning Mood" - Gerard Willems
    "Swan Lake, Op. 20, Act II: 14. Scene (Moderato)" - Tchaikovsky
    "Swan Lake, Op. 20, Act I: 2. Waltz (Tempo Di Valse)" - Tchaikovsky
    "Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71 - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" - Tchaikovsky
    "Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71 - Waltz of the Flowers" - Tchaikovsky
    Okay scratch that, just listen to a lot of Tchaikovsky and it'll all turn out okay
    "Bella's Lullaby" - Carter Burwell (from the Twilight soundtrack)
    "Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, Op. 59, Für Elise" - Beethoven
    Literally anything by Yiruma, who is amazing
    Also anything by the Vitamin String Quartet, who are equally amazing
    "Married Life" - Michael Giaccino (from the Up soundtrack)
    "Often a Bird" - Wim Mertens
    "Waltz" - John Debney (from The Princess Diaries soundtrack)
    "Time to Say Goodbye" - Sarah Brightman
    "Waltz" - not quite sure who the artist is?? (but from Beauty and the Beast soundtrack)
    "George Valentin" - not quite sure who the artist is?? (but from The Artist soundtrack)
    "Blue Danube Waltz" - Strauss
    "Hungarian Rhapsody" - Lizt

    I hope this helps, lovely - I know it is the WORST when we can't find inspiration to write, but these are such gorgeous songs, and I can vouch that they've gotten me out of some of the lowest inspiration trenches. Best of luck! xx

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  5. Unfortunately, I can't give you any songs that would motivate you, because even though I ADORE music, it really doesn't help me to focus or motivate me. However, reading inspiring quotes, remembering what I want and why really helps me, every morning when I wake up and every night when I sleep really help me. Also, I made a list of monthly, weekly and lifetime goals that I read in the morning and at night. I've been doing that for two weeks now and it really helped me get things done. I hope it doesnt sound too corny and that you found it helpful! Good luck!

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