Let’s Talk Process: The Soundtrack
Writing in silence is new to me. I don’t love it, but it does cut down on that pesky sensory overload issue I mentioned a couple of post ago. Most of the time, however, I still prefer a soundtrack.
Why?
Hard to say. Former musician raised by a musical mother? Driven, then drove myself, in a car that always had the stereo going? Married to an avid collector of music? Mother to children who often respond to music when they are refusing response to other sorts of coercion?
Reason aside, music has, and always will be, part of my life. A very, very important part. I used to think the sense most devastating to lose would be sight (I’m 35 and I still hate the dark). But cutting down on music for the sake of my sanity has led me to a different conclusion: not being able to hear music would be the worst sensory deprivation of all.
As with so many other things in my writing life, I have a variety of soundtrack types I choose from:
Voice Music: When I’m stuck on what a character looks like or what she would do in a certain situation, I find a song that represents her (or his) speaking voice. It isn’t the singer’s voice that’s the match; it’s the feel of the song. I know that’s vague, but such is the way of the eccentricity. An example? Why, of course. Darius, Harker’s brother in the Shaman universe is represented by Louis Armstrong’s solo version of “Stompin’ at the Savoy.” It isn’t that Darius sounds like Louis — he doesn’t — but if the song were a speaking voice — the voice, the trumpet, the syncopation, the rhythm, the resonance, the lyrics — it would be quintessentially Darius. These lists take forever to compile but once you have them, you can keep them forever because, barring major trauma, a given character’s voice isn’t going to change.
Tempo Music: Doing sprints or a timed session, I choose my music by tempo. Playlist or album, it’s a certain speed I’m looking for. My tempo tracks tend to be on the faster side, more upbeat in general if not in choice of lyrics. These songs get me pumped, get me going, let me lose myself a bit. Feet tap, finger move with them. It’s how I played an instrument and it’s how I write.
Mood Music: Usually an album or albums by a single artist. A tool for a stuck scene or editing. Suits the needs of a specific moment and sometimes needs to be changed between sentences or at a page/chapter break. Mood music is more effective when I’m working slowly because when I do get snagged, I can close my eyes, listen and feel; these moments are decent at popping me out of holes or unsnapping my granny panties from the fencepost. And if it doesn’t? I can always try something else.
Podcasts: A relatively new development in my listening arsenal. When I’m overloaded and I need to keep a little distance from my chosen noise spoken word is soothing while still keeping me awake and focused. It doesn’t crawl inside my head the way music does, hanging out rather than stirring, dancing, sparkling. I prefer music. But the stability of the podcast is a nice option.
This is how I do it, baby. How about you?
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