What Kind of Music To Listen to?

Happy Friday! Today I keep thinking about the concert I went to last night. My fiancé and I saw Shinedown. I know a couple songs, but rock’s never really been my music. Although after being with my fiancé for seven years, I’ve gained a growing appreciation for it.

So why talk about music when this blog is supposed to be about writing? Well, it’s one of the ways I become inspired. If I’m stuck, falling in love with the lyrics of a new song can really help jump-start the creative juices. Although until last night, I never quite realized how much my taste in music varies with the project I’m working on.

I realized my phases of music essentially tie into the parts of a story I’m working on. For example, with Peregrina, when I’m writing her character, I love listening to songs that focus on a strong independent woman and bad girl vibes. (Taylor Swifts Blank Space, Fastest Girl in Town Miranda Lambert, or Anything Ruelle or Little Minx) But suppose I’m trying to build mystery or fantasy or magic. In that case, I like to dive into traditional folk music or soundtracks to my favorite fantasy, sci-fi tv shows, and movies. (The Hobbit, LOTR, Star Wars, The Witcher… maybe I’ll make a complete list).

As we’re sitting listening to The Pretty Reckless before Shinedown, I’m watching Taylor Tomlinson on stage and looking up the lyrics to the songs. The next thing I know, I have half of the later scenes of Peregrina’s first novel playing out in my head. Sadly I didn’t bring anything to write with, and my phone was dying. But, I’m now adding The Pretty Reckless to my artists for songs to channel for Peregrina. After the concert last night. It’s the kind of attitude I want Peregrina to have when people read her story.

Do you guys go through moods in music? What are your solid go-to artists when you need inspiration? (it doesn’t have to be creating inspiration can just be inspiration day today. My day today is the classic Disney show tunes, but that’s another blog post).