I love Robin's blog. She is, sorry, but I have to say it, Rockin Robin! She dedicates videos and songs to other bloggers. She gives us Battles of Bands. She is real and honest and supportive. I'm very excited to be guest posting here today! And to keep with a Rockin theme, I'm talking about...Songs and Soundtracks for Books
Music is a big part of me. I love to sing! Music boosts my mood, whether good or bad. I like upbeat songs when I'm feeling good, familiar songs I can belt out when I'm pumped up or need to get energized, hard rock when I'm feeling rebellious or angry, and HAPPY makes me smile no matter what mood I'm in! I always have music playing in the background.
Except when I'm writing. Some of you listen to music when you write. But, that's where I need peace and quiet or my mind will wander... I guess I have to focus on one creative task at a time. In case you missed it, M.J. Fifield revealed some awesome soundtracks that inspire her while she works when she posted at Alex's (or as she calls him, the Blog-father - love that!).
I also read that Alex's latest MS was inspired by a song. Has that ever happened to you? Music inspires me all the time. My short story, The Comeback, a zombie love story (soon to be in CQ's anthology!) was inspired by the song Comeback which was part of the Avengers movie soundtrack, unbeknownst to me at the time.
Some of us have participated in blogfests that ask to pick a book soundtrack or what theme song would go with our books. I was lucky enough to have my oldest son read POP TRAVEL and do a Soundtrack Project on it for school!
Here are my book theme songs:
POP TRAVEL - New Low by Middle Class Rut (edgy, futuristic, down on your luck)
BROKEN BRANCH FALLS - Move Along by The All-American Rejects (rockin' youthful song, friends can help you overcome life's problems!)
Do you have theme songs or soundtracks for your writing?
Rockin Robin, thank you for all your inspirations!
And thank you again for having me! It was melodious!
Try this BEASTLY QUIZ and find out which beast you are!
Rockin Robin, thank you for all your inspirations!
And thank you again for having me! It was melodious!
Try this BEASTLY QUIZ and find out which beast you are!
(It's part of the August giveaway below.)
by Tara TylerRelease Date: June 24, 2014 (NOW!)
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. But Gabe wants to break out of his nerdy stereotype and try other things. He has his eye on the new ogress at school. Though it’s against all beastly rules, there’s just something about her.
Gabe starts a fad of mingling with other species, forcing the High Council to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. With help from other outcast friends, Gabe sets out on a quest to save his town. They'll show 'em what different friends can do together!
Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!
Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series,
The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL
Songs do inspire!
ReplyDeleteMJ's list of music was great.
Hopefully my publisher accepts my manuscript so I can reveal the song that inspired it. Until then, I'm keeping mum on the whole thing...
Music always inspires our writing.
ReplyDeleteBrandon's new novel was inspired by a Black Rebel Motorcycle Club song. After finishing the book, we reached out to them, shared a few copies of the book with them, and the band actually gave their blessing to include their name and the lyrics of the song in the book.
>>... "I always have music playing in the background. Except when I'm writing. Some of you listen to music when you write. But, that's where I need peace and quiet..."
ReplyDeleteSame here.
Well, if I'm just writing something for the comment section of a blog, I usually have music playing in the background. But if I'm engaged in serious writing (even when composing most of my own blog bits) I need it quiet or I have trouble concentrating and getting my thoughts to line up in a logical way.
I own in the neighborhood of 200 compact discs, and I have only found a single exception to the rule above:
For some reason (which I've not tried to analyze and understand) I can play the compact disc 'BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB PRESENTS IBRAHIM FERRER' while I am writing anything and it will not interfere with my concentration.
It may be due to the rhythms. It's definitely got nothing to do with tempo because there are both ballads and upbeat songs on the disc. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that all the lyrics are sung in a language I don't understand, so my mind doesn't get caught up in thinking about what the song is saying. I really don't know, but I've found that I occasionally enjoy writing while that album plays. I think it even adds a little "fire" to my writing sometimes.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
in the neighborhood of 200 compact discs
DeleteThat's the CD collection equivalent of Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues...
Is that the Ry Cooder album you're referring to?
I don't usually listen to music when writing. When I do, I go for mellow stuff, like Alison Krauss. But I'm thinking I should try Bobby Day's Rockin Robin - I bet I'd finish my novel in no time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a song inspire me to write a story, but my current project stemmed from a picture a the end of an essay in YANKEE MAGAZINE. I don't often listen to music when I write, but when I do, I'm glad of it. So much so that I'm about to plug in to some tunes as a result of reading this interview.
ReplyDeleteFor each of my fiction books, I basically had a theme song for the main character, one that fit his or her personality and struggles.
ReplyDeleteTara
ReplyDeleteYou have a good "find" in the music that inspires you to write. I wish you much more success with your writing.
I always have music playing in the background. Except when I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteI don't write so much these days (kind of lost my muse a while back), but it used to depend. I could not have music on if I was composing a song lyric because they'd clash-I'd end up writing new lyrics for whatever I had on as background.
For prose, I could, but since I have a file drawer full of unfinished manuscripts, I wonder if that may have been part of the problem.
LC
I don't make a playlist and my characters don't have songs. However, that may change when I start my trilogy. My protagonist love Texas music - country, blues, you name it.
ReplyDeleteI hope the book is doing well, Tara.
ReplyDeleteAs to music, different characters/stories remind me of specific songs, but if I listen while I write, I'd never get anything done.
I laughed at the Rockin' Robin reference. :) I'm not a writer, but I like the little sneak peek offered from time to time by writers, of what the process is like, when I'm reading the blogs.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book release!
really loving these responses!
ReplyDeletesounds like everyone has an important spot for music whether in or out of writing! thanks!
and thanks, robin for letting me come over!
Songs inspire like few things can. I think it's because they are tied to our mood!
ReplyDeleteMusic and songs can inspire me. I prefer listening to music over TV any day. Good luck Tara!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on that; I need absolute silence while I create. Music distracts me! But I do have certain songs that suit my characters for certain books. Not all of my characters have songs, though. :P
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
It's great how your son came up with a soundtrack for your book! I also like to belt out tunes, especially in the shower! This was fun, Tara and Robin!
ReplyDeleteJulie
The story behind The Four Seasons' famous song "Rag Doll" inspired one of my books, and in the dedications page, I gave credit to my awesome Hollies' and Four Seasons' soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteNice post but I have never thought of songs and inspiration but I do know on most days I'd have to choose for inspiration "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" Even if I have only been at work an hour! :)
ReplyDelete