Serious writing requires excellent music

Music deeply affects me.

It can inspire me, excite me, and depress me.

When I'm having trouble focusing, the right music is often the cure (post-rock or soundtracks).

When I need to psych myself up for the day, the right music gets me excited for what's ahead (lately, JD McPherson).

When I need to open my heart, the right music can overcome my hesitation.

When I'm writing, I often need music. It's creative lubrication. The people at this coffee shop are probably wondering what I'm rocking out to (Two Steps from Hell - bad name, epic music).

As I'm writing this book, I'm hitting emotional obstacles: Do I really want to say that? How much do I share? What do people want to read?

The right music often helps me through it. I've made a Spotify playlist exclusively for writing. Most of it is instrumental. Sometimes there's singing. All of it is inspiring.

Music for Writing

  • Two Steps from Hell (Miracles, Invincible)
  • Balmorhea (All Is Wild, All Is Silent)
  • Michael Nyman (Mozart 252, MGV)
  • Lindsey Stirling (everything)
  • Soundtracks (Interstellar, Oblivion, Man on Wire, Theory of Everything)
  • Olafur Arnalds (everything, especially "...and they have escaped the weight of darkness")
  • Post-Rock (Saxon Shore, Sigur Ros, Yndi Halda, Searchlights, Caspian, MONO)

 

What music inspires you?