A.R. Geiger

Coffee Dates: Music

Good Morning, Creatives!

Anyone else make it all the way to Friday this week? I feel like I crawled in like a man out of the desert. If you see an oasis anywhere nearby, I’d love directions.

I’m kidding.

But it does feel like that sometimes, doesn’t it?

This week’s question is about music, because I am always, always fascinated by how music affects the creative process. It seems to change from person to person, but I have met so, so many writers who tell me that music is a large part of their process!

My Process

Music is my escape. It’s my creative spark and what I always run back to when I have a plot hole. I listen to everything and anything, and if you happen to ask what I’ve got going in my headphones at any given moment, be prepared to be answered with anything from Mongolian rock to Christian rap to Josh Groban.

My Struggles Within That

I run out of songs! I listen to my favorites over and over again, but I am always on the lookout for new music. When I do run out of new music—rather sadly—it’s hard not to keep my ideas from drying up or becoming repetitive.

Your Thoughts

Do you listen to music while you write? What kind? Any recommendations for a constantly searching addict? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Responses

  1. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    I love music, though I haven’t integrated it into my writing process as much as I would like. When I go looking for music to fit the mood of what I’m writing, I look to the soundtracks of the movies and games that have inspired my stories.

    Lindsey Stirling has a wide variety of music inspired by “nerd culture,” including games and movies. I also like Adya, a musical group who reimagines familiar instrumental pieces (think Mozart or Chopin).

    For my novel, I put together a playlist of songs that express the different moods of my protagonist, from Billy Joel’s “I Go to Extremes” and “You May Be Right” to Dropkick Murphys’ “Rude Awakenings” and “Going Out in Style.” Mixed in there is Pantera, Metallica, Linkin Park, Skillet, Three Days Grace, The Offspring, Avenged Sevenfold, Johnny Cash, Imagine Dragons, Brad Paisley, Shinedown, Johnny Cash, Nightwish, Rammstein, and a lot of others.

    I don’t always listen to music when I write, but I really should. I need to revisit my playlists.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. A.R. Geiger Avatar
      A.R. Geiger

      Nice! I listen to quite a few of the artists that you mention here. Lindsey Sterling is a gem, and I love Imagine Dragons and Brad Paisley!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment