3 S.R. Johannes: My method of writing to music

Saturday, November 15, 2008

My method of writing to music

Those who know me know that I write to music. (this along with lots of gum and MMs and coffee and coke zero. ugh!)

I know it seems crazy but it's true! Maybe it is my ADHD. But I write better with noise.

So - that's how Grace Under Fire came to be. Thanks to a list of great songs. I have completed that book and already working on book 2: A Blazing Grace.

I have a playlist for each book I am working on. And a song that represents the essence of each chapter - that gives me a vibe of what the chapter is about. So if I am writing on that chapter - I listen to that song. Now, I only use this when I just want to get a chapter down on paper and I don't want to think about editing or cliches. Once I am working a chapter to death, in detail. I usually listen to some form of instrumental music with no words.

I thought I could start sharing my playlist songs with you.

Here's is the one I writing to today - "Let me go" by Cake.

be prepared to bounce. Though the song is not truly happy, the beat it.

Enjoy!

PS I am so proud I figured out how to do this. Man I am computer savvy. :)



This one is not on my playlist but it was too cute to pass up. :) This country gonna have a Par-ty!


9 comments:

Laini Taylor said...

Ah, you're one of those musicky writers! Me, not at all. I think it could be really useful though, to put you straight into a certain kind of mood. But I don't know enough music to make the kind of playlists that would be helpful, so . . . you know.
:-)

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

what's your process laini? would love to know.

Carrie Harris said...

I love Cake! I have that CD somewhere; now I need to go and find it.

I used to write to music, but now that I write in the afternoons as opposed to the evenings, I don't. I have no idea why it's different, but it is. Maybe it feels more like a job now rather than a hobby?

That's an interesting thought.

Anonymous said...

That video with Ellen Degeneress dancing with Michelle Obama and then the cut to dancing with Obama...priceless. Ellen always makes me smile.

Anonymous said...

It's always interesting to hear writers that write to music. I never do. Don't know why. Maybe because since I wrote about historical periods, modern music would bring me too much into the present. Or maybe I'm just that much older than everyone else...

Unknown said...

You did not just post CAKE!!!! or however long ago. That is my husband and I's favorite band (together). It reminds us of our days when we were single (married no kids). You didn't appreciate the freedom you had then.

just got to the bottom of my glass of wine- can't remember what this post was about other than the cake song. damn it. don't want to click off my comment box.

Unknown said...

Oh yea- writing to music. Don't know how you do it...

King of my Throne said...

This video was great! Michelle & Barack Obma on the Ellen Degeneres show. Pre- election.

Rose said...

I think that is so neat that you write to music. My roommate does the same thing. I believe it would also help me to write, however I can't figure out which songs would go with which chapter. Or, in my roommates case, which songs go with which characters. How do you figure it out? Or does it just come to you?