I was having a google chat with Elin Gregory when (as often happens) things took a daft turn and we decided it would be a good idea to ask some of our favourite historical authors whether music inspired them to write – and how. Turns out it wasn’t such a daft idea – we had some great responses, which I’ll post here over this week.
I’m one of those individuals who puts together soundtracks on occasion but the music isn’t exactly reflection of the time period, more the characters/storyline. “Sounds of Silence” – Simon and Garfunkle, “All It Takes” – Stellar (NZ band), “Touch of Your Hand” – Glass Tiger, “There You’ll Be” – Faith Hill.
Hm… It’s seldom a single song. Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partiro” (the original, not the duet with Celine Dion) is pretty much the theme song for the Royal Navy series. I almost played Bocelli’s “Romanza” album, and Bryan Adams’ “So Far So Good” and Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat,” to pieces. And Jackson Browne’s “Lives in the Balance.” Totally out of period, but the right emotional note.
Winds of Change, Eye of the Storm — The soundtrack for Master and Commander. Also Romanza and Sogno, Bocelli, (What can I say? I don’t understand much Italian, but the flow of words and a strong tenor… mmmm. and October Project’s two albums.
Home is the Sailor – mostly Enya, for some reason.
Walking Wounded, Mellissa Etheridge’s “Yes, I Am,” and Bocelli, again — also Carlos Nakai, a Navajo flute player.
Tangled Web was a mix of all of the above, and Chanticleer, and the Windham Hill Solstice albums. And, in all cases, probably several things I’ve forgotten.
Finding the right music really helps.
I have to say that music has influenced everything I’ve written (admittedly a very small list). Music, in particular the music of the 19th century Romantics such as Chopin, Liszt, Mahler, Debussy, Tchaikovsky (I never said I could spell the blasted name!) and perhaps first, of course, Mozart and Beethoven. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who has read either The Phoenix or Counterpoint: Dylan’s Story. Music that digs deep into my emotions always makes me write. And often cry. Song on the Sand, my favorite of my short story-ebooks, was completely inspired by the lovely song by the same title from my favorite play, La Cage aux Folles. While writing Counterpoint, I listened day and night to violin music, especially that of Josh Bell. Of course that gave me an excuse to have lots of pictures of Josh Bell all around.
The Macaronis 
April 9, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I’ve always liked the idea of soundtracks. I’ve even made soundtracks for particular books, but I’m not sure I really got anything out of them. I wish I did!
April 9, 2012 at 4:30 pm
*nods* I don’t think soundtracks would work for me, either. Too disaorganised in terms of my writing, too butterfly minded in terms of my listening.
April 9, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Yes, and even though I make them, I don’t listen to music while I write, so I don’t really know what to do with them when I have them!
April 10, 2012 at 4:02 pm
I don’t exactly make soundtracks, but I do have various songs I associate with particular characters, and hearing them always makes me want to go write, so I suppose that’s a useful way to include vocal music in the writing process? I like listening to any variety of instrumental music while I work–acoustic guitar is good for most days, and the more symphonic stuff when I really want to focus.
April 10, 2012 at 4:04 pm
*nods* Yes, I can identify with that (and so can other folk, as you’ll see from subsequent posts).
I have an awful confession to make. Classical music usually sends me to sleep.
April 10, 2012 at 7:56 pm
*laugh* That’s not so awful. If everybody liked everything, the world would be boring. Or there’d only be one kind of music because no one would be driven to create something else. And that would be boring too.
Looking forward to the subsequent posts!
April 10, 2012 at 12:59 am
When writing I listen to my 16th century music which I adore like nothing else. Or Arvo Pàrt for different moods, frantic, sad, etc. And Dead Can Dance. All very evocative. When writing a chapter or story I can listen to the same piece over and over and over again until I’m finished. And the cat’s having hysterics. Lol. 😉
April 10, 2012 at 10:20 am
Like you, I can listen to the same track/few tracks ad infinitum. It feels like getting into the zone or something…,
We have no cats, so luckily no hysterics.
April 10, 2012 at 12:11 pm
When I was writing the First Kiss scene in my WIP,which I had set during the fireworks display at Vauxhall Gardens because why not go with such a useful tradition, i played Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks to properly get in the spirit of the thing.
April 10, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I like the cut of your jib, girl!