Like many authors, I write to music. I know some writers who blare Beethoven or Bach when they write, and others who can’t work unless AC/DC is screaming through the speakers. Me, I’m a country girl, and more often than not I tend to latch on to one particular CD or artist for the duration of the book I’m writing at the moment.For instance, when I wrote Charming Jo, nothing else worked for me but Toby Keith, and the louder the better.
Other times I’ve written to Martina McBride – who epitomizes the strength of a woman – or my new favourite, fellow Canadian George Canyon who does an amazing job on the classics I grew up on (that man can sing Waylon and Willie like nobody’s business!)
But this last year I’ve spent writing two books dealing with the devil’s offspring. THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER, due out April 1st, and the sequel, DANCING WITH THE DEVIL, due out in December. These are not dark books by any means, but I did need something to get me into the characters’ frames of mind, so who did I turn to?
Who could possibly sing about Hell in such a way that I could sing along without being distracted by the songs themselves (This, by the way is key to the whole thing. Music needs to be playing, and I need to be able to sing along, but in an unconscious kind of way).
Enter Meatloaf and his 1977 album Bat Out of Hell.
I know what you’re thinking. Meatloaf? Good Lord! I know, but 30 years later, this album still gets the job done. The songs are 8 minutes long for goodness sake, so there’s no distraction of the songs ending every three minutes, and the lead song is the title track. I have listened to that CD so many times I could probably sing it backwards in my sleep. Don’t worry, I won’t. I wouldn’t want to scare anyone.
The next book will be someone completely different. For all I know, I could end up writing my next book to the soundtrack of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana or Cher’s Greatest Hits. I just never know what it’ll be.
I can honestly say though, without a doubt, that AC/DC will never be the artist of choice for anything I write. Beethoven, maybe, but that’s about as far as I’m willing to step outside my comfort zone. What about you?
10 comments:
Hi Laura,
I just wanted to chime in and say how much I enjoyed Charming Jo. I can certainly see how Toby Keith inspired you.
I think Barry Manilow is a great choice I loved his music when I was younger. It was so romantic.Mandy, Weekend in New England makes me want to sigh. I still love his music.
If you want longer songs go with Queen. I can drive 12 miles to town on the same one of Queens song. My 17 year old daughter thinks they are very cool.
>>I just wanted to chime in and say how much I enjoyed Charming Jo<<
Thanks so much, Gigi! Jo was so much fun to write, especially when she lost her temper - which was pretty often. :)
My boys love Queen and they're pretty young. When all the other kids were listening to Barney or The Wiggles, we had Queen and The Eagles playing in our car. LOL I'll have to pull the CDs out again and see if ol' Freddy and the boys can motivate me for the next book. Thanks!
Laura
I love country music.
I grew up listening to it.
I love classical music. In addition to Beethoven, you could use Mozart, Bach and Chopin. What contemporary artists do you like? Maybe U2 or Coldplay?
I too am a country music fan. I have listened to it forever, and have to agree with you on our own George Canyon. I also like to listen to the Eagles CD that I have their new one and also the one prior to that Hell Freezes Over. They still make good music after all this time. But country is really my first love.
Hi Laura,
Remember when teachers would say that listening to music, tv, etc can take away your attention to what you're doing. I sometimes work best when I listen to one or the other too. Not writing books, but other things, it helps.
Thanks for chiming in, everyone. I grew up with country music, too, Estella - in fact, one of the first songs I remember knowing the words to was "Delta Dawn" by Tanya Tucker.
Jane - I don't actually own any classical music, but I do love Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I have some U2 but couldn't begin to tell you anything about Coldplay. LOL I live in a bubble most of the time.
Cryna - it really is amazing how the Eagles can still put out such great music after all this time, isn't it? That's some serious talent!
Dina - my parents used to make me shut off the radio and TV while I did my homework. And while I understand why (and do the same to my own kids - LOL), if I can't stand the quiet if there's no music on. Drives me crazy! :)
I think I'll ask the birthday bunny for some new music - maybe some new artists (or old, as the case may be) that are not in my usual comfort zone.
Thanks everyone!!
Laura
I enjoy all kinds of music including classical, jazz, pop, rock but never rap.
I grew up listening to country music and I listen to it now. I also listen to the older rock like the 70's. Todays music I just can't handle.
Laura your books look so good!
I love country music and some classical but won't listen to rock. My car radio is always tuned to a country station and when I can't get one I have CD's to play. But then when you grow up in Texas what else do you hear just about every place.
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