Deb Linda Says La-La-La I Can’t Hear You!

I know. Real mature, huh? The thing is, I like it quiet when I write.  I don’t write to music. I don’t make playlists to inspire me. I just sit in front of my laptop, preferably alone in the house, and let the voices in my head take over.

(Gosh, when I put it that way, it sounds kind of crazy …)

Not that I’m not inspired by music, because I am. If I hear a song I particularly like while driving in the car, it may tickle my thought processes into birthing a scene. And if I ever need to get into the proper mood for a love scene, I listen to Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

(Of course, that usually backfires when I drag TG off to bed.)

 

But since I’m a dedicated Deb—and desperate for material for this post—I decided to enlist the aid of my musical consultant (it helps to be married to a sound engineer) and make a playlist for In a Fix. Better late than never, right?

 

Linda’s Retroactive Playlist for In a Fix:

Boy George (Culture Club) – “Karma Chameleon”

David Bowie – “Changes” (You know … “Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes …”)

Billy Joel – “Just the Way You Are”

Frank Sinatra – “I Get a Kick out of You” (Champagne reference.)

The Beach Boys – “Kokomo” (Bahamas reference.)

Eric Clapton – “I Got a Rock and Roll Heart” (One line in particular: “I get off on ’57 Chevys …”)

Elton John – “The Bitch is Back”

Frank Sinatra – “Come Fly with Me”

Counting Crows – “Catapult”

Styx – “Come Sail Away”

Obie Trice – “Sh*t Hits the Fan”

And the Star of the Playlist:

Horrible Histories – “Literally: The Viking Song”

Here, it’s on YouTube:

 

 

All these songs can be pretty directly related to In a Fix.

No, I can’t tell you how, precisely, because that would entail spoilers.

And spoilers are bad.

But maybe it’ll give you a hint about what to expect. Maybe a little of the flavor of the book. Hints and flavor are good.

Hmm … you know what? I rather enjoyed this little exercise. I may have to consider trying it again in the future. Maybe even before I finish a book. What a novel concept. Er, so to speak.

 

How about you guys? Does music inspire your writing? Do you make playlists to listen to while you’re writing? 

 

18 Replies to “Deb Linda Says La-La-La I Can’t Hear You!”

  1. I don’t know which I enjoyed more, Linda–that first pic or that video–yowsa!

    I did love your playlist–and just reading it gave me a new flavor for IN A FIX, making me even more excited than before to read it. You–and your novel!–have great taste in music! 😉

    1. Aw, thanks. The playlist is kind of wacky, but it’ll make sense after you read In a Fix…which is kind of wacky, too. But, I hope, fun. 🙂

  2. music does inspire me, but i can’t have it on while im writing. it’s just too distracting, making me want to dance or something instead of doing the real work. and i dont make playlists while im writing, but i have been known to put together a cd at the end of first draft and title it “sounds of (name of book here)” cuz, you know, that’s how i roll.

    1. Exactly! When I listen to music, I get too involved in it to focus on other things.

      I do like your idea of making a playlist after the first draft, though. Then maybe I could listen to it before I start revising, just to get the motor running.

  3. Bwaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!! Too funny and I love the pic. I can only use music sometimes when I’ drafting. But if I find a song that helps me get the scene down, I play it over and over and over…

    1. Sadly, if I listen to anything, no matter how inspirational, while I trying to write…well, apparently my fingers shut down when my ears are in play. But PRE-writing music is good. 🙂

    1. I know, right? Otters are so cool! If I could be anything other than human, I’d be an otter. They just look like they know how to enjoy life.

  5. I need quiet too! although sometimes I listen to music that makes me think if my WIP or a scene I’m writing BEFORE I write to get in the mood.
    That Viking song is hilarious!! It’s like White Snake went back in time. LOL

  6. *snort* Literally. I do use soundtracks, as you know, but it’s more an involuntary thing. My house is lousy with kids, so I have music on most of the time to drown out the smaller, more annoying noises they create. (Beeping toys, anyone?) Consequently, I have songs in my head all the time. When I’m plotting a new story, my brain automatically assigns songs as it sees fit. I do it with stuff I read, too. It’s a sickness.

  7. Sorry, but that otter is even cuter than your camels. Love the video, too. I prefer quiet while I’m writing, but now I’m intrigued at the idea of compiling a suitable playlist. Your list is certainly eclectic.

  8. No playlists. Like you I prefer quiet and solitude. Most days, I have neither. So I compromise with headphones. And most of the time those headphones stream hard rock straight into my brain. It’s like white noise and transports me straight into Story World.

    Happy Weekend!

    1. Probably depends on the individual writer, I would think. For some, it probably really helps get the words flowing. For me, it would probably just turn into a delaying tactic.

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