(The songs that helped me write.)

NPR did it, so why not me?

Writing needs music and music makes you want to write.  That’s how it is for me anyway.  I love writing and I love music.  They go hand and hand.  So, I decided it would be good to discuss what music helped me write this year.  Some of it is new music for 2009, while other songs are well worn by now.  These are what affected me this year with my writing, not what sold the most in 2009.

Music can trigger my emotions faster than anything else.  My mindset can shift with the words or sounds from a musician, in turn putting me where I need to be to write certain emotions.

In no particular order, I will list the top ten songs that I owe the most thanks.  (For both books I started this year.)  These songs helped me do things like kill off characters, show grief, love, hatred, forgiveness, regret, and hope.  Some of them were put on repeat until I’d finished writing a scene, that’s how helpful they were.

(And how do I remember the most important to me for 2009?  Each main character in my books has an iTunes playlist in their name.  Just sayin’.  That’s how important it is to me.)

First of all, let me start by mentioning a Keane song.  Technically, this song became big for me at the end of 2008.  The first REAL short story I wrote since high school was written at that time.  (The Muse for those of you that know it.)  I had been going for walks around my neighborhood every night around dusk.  I always passed this certain park, which triggered the story.  Anyway, my ipod was in and I kept repeating the song Nothing in My Way by Keane.  Not only did that song fuel the first short story, but it helped kick off Mallory’s book as well.  Literally, this Keane song has been played three times as much as the others in my iTunes.

Mallory’s Songs

I Remember by Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan: Lisa starts this song off sweet and lovely, making for a nice comfy place to come and sit.  Then Damien comes in and knocks you off your butt with his raw emotion. Love. This. Song.

Thunder and Lighting by The Epochs: This song IS Mallory.  When I was first writing her character and getting to know her, THIS is the song that told me what she was like.

Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon: Um, guess what kind of scene I wrote when this song was playing.  Enough said.

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz: Mallory and Evan.  Let’s all say a collective Awww for this cutesy song.

Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet: There is a dancing scene between Mallory the ghost and her dear Evan.  This is the song I picked for it.

Obsolete by MuteMath: This is a moody song, mostly instrumental, that helped with a particular section in the book that had to be very abstract and weird.  (For those of you that know it, THIS helped the craziness that used to be the water tower scene.  Yeah, I said USED to be.  I’ve been editing so that scene is different now, but it still has the same feel.  I think. )

Where is My Mind by The Pixies: So, Mallory is dead and she has no idea how she died.  Um, plus some crazy stuff happens to her.  Enter this song at any given point in the book.

Center Aisle by Caedmon’s Call:  This is a song Derek Webb wrote for a friend when his sister committed suicide.  It was always a heart breaking song to me, which helped when I needed to write Mallory’s death.

What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie: This was another sad song that helped get me in the right place for a dead main character.  GREAT song.

Little Ghost by The White Stripes: Let’s end on a happy note.  Little Ghost is a fun, energetic, and very fitting song.  Yes, Mallory has silly parts, too.

Hayes’ Songs

Make This Go On Forever by Snow Patrol: Okay, out of all my Hayes songs, THIS song is the one that had to go on repeat for a while.  The lyrics are pretty telling, with only a couple of lines not connecting to my story. (And I refuse to divulge WHICH lines. )

I Buried a Bone by Blind Pilot: Blind Pilot’s songs all blend together on their album, making it easy to get in the groove of their tone and ease into writing without being distracted.  For some reason, this albums leaves me feeling content, but in waiting for… something.  Perfect for Hayes, especially the lyrics to this song.

Head in the Fire (Hays Remix) by The Epochs: (FYI, the remix version isn’t anywhere I can find, except places where you have to buy it.  Believe me, it’s a cooler version.)  So, did you notice the name of the guy in the band that did the remix?  Um, yeah, that’s where my MC’s name came from.

Bring Me Some Water by Melissa Etheridge and Joan Osborne: Poor Hayes.  Substitue the word man for woman in the line “some other woman is making love to you.”  Poor, poor Hayes.

Always Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes: Hayes is haunted in another way entirely.  He can’t escape Ada’s blue eyes.

Love Song by The Cure: Not only is the song awesome, but it fits Hayes very well.

Skinny Love by Bon Iver: I listened to this song so long that I even learned it on guitar.

A Bad Dream by Keane: I heart Keane.  Plus, their music flows from song to song, allowing me to fade into my writing without being distracted.

Sweetness Follows by R.E.M: Hayes’ story starts out with the funeral of his father and his mother has been dead for years.  Enough said.

House of Cards by Radiohead: Did you seriously think I wouldn’t slip in some Radiohead?  Ha.  The In Rainbows album could be listed for Mallory and Hayes. Love. Radiohead.

So, you’ll notice that a lot of my music is more subdued and Indie.  That’s for two reasons.  One, I like subdued Indie.  Two, it helps me get in the zone and stay there.

Hope you enjoyed my end of the year post.  I also hope you have a safe and happy new year!