Tag Archives: music

Musical Inspirations

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People have asked before about “what’s my process” when I write.  I’m fortunate that I’m working within a literary universe I know well.  I’ve seen the “movie preview” story previews for all my books (both released and yet to come). I’ve also been able to create outlines for my books from slightly more detailed “movie previews” in my head. I don’t try to over architect things. I like the characters to make decisions and present the story to me.  So, there isn’t a whole lot to share for the big picture stuff.

However, when it comes to diving in and actually writing, I do have my traditions. Before I attempted to eat healthier, one of my traditions was a nice sized bowl of plain M&Ms. How I miss those.

The other component is the music I’m listening to as I write.

When I wrote the original manuscript I listened to a number of anime and video game soundtracks.  However, as I went back to edit and release the individual books, I listened to entirely different music. In fact, if I wanted to create a specific mood, I’d match the music selections up to that need so my creative energies were in the right head-space.

Below is a short listing of some of the music I listened to while working on various works:

The original trilogy manuscript (286,000 words version) and Book 1, D’mok Revival: Awakening

 

Book 2, D’mok Revival: Retribution

  • Linkin Park, 1000 suns album (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgJSEvRq26g)
  • Mass Effect 1 video game soundtrack
  • Mass Effect 2 video game soundtrack
  • Mass Effect 3 video game soundtrack
  • Prometheus, movie soundtrack
  • Sarah Brightman, Eden
  • Sarah Brightman, Harem
  • Sarah Brightman, La Luna

 

Book 3: D’mok Revival: Descension

  • Battlestar Galactica season 1, 2000 remake series soundtrack
  • Battlestar Galactica season 2, 2000 remake series soundtrack
  • Battlestar Galactica season 3, 2000 remake series soundtrack
  • DaVinci’s Demons, tv series soundtrack
  • Deadmau5, Ghost ‘n’ Stuff
  • Titanfall, original video game soundtrack

 

Book 4: D’mok Revival, New Eden

  • Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster album
  • Linkin Park, Recharged Album
  • Lindsey Stirling, self-titled initial album
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts, video game soundtrack
  • Call of Duty: Advanced Warefare, video game soundtrack
  • Demi Lovato, Confident
  • Star Trek: Into darkness
  • The Flash: Season 1 soundtrack
  • Destiny, video game soundtrack
  • Disturbed, Immortalized
  • Image Dragons, Night Visions
  • Sia, Chandelier
  • Fallout 4, video game soundtrack

Weun Academy: Boy with the green eyes  (current project)

  • Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone movie soundtrack
  • The Flash Vs Arrow, tv soundtrack
  • The Flash: Season 2 tv soundtrack
  • Star Trek: Beyond
  • Kelly Clarkson, Piece by piece
  • Sia, Cheap Thrills
  • Batman v Superman, movie soundtrack
  • Uncharted 4, video game soundtrack
  • Pink, Just like Fire song
  • X-men: days of future past, movie soundtrack

 

While the lists above are not comprehensive it shows some of the more scifi theme, and pop energy that helped me see the actual scenes take place in my head.

The novelettes used the same music base as the main novel they were attached to.

Music is so crucial to me. It takes me places, and shows me visions of my characters in action. For the most part, I like type directly type what I see happen with little editing. Only when my beta readers or editor point out a weakness do I consider enhancing the original vision.

So, there you have it!