Soundtrack of Stories: How Music Shapes My Writing Journey

In my writing, place and music are vital background characters, shaping the narrative and my creative process in profound ways. Most often, it’s soothing background sound that minimizes distractions during the writing process. Nearby sights, sounds, or tempting alternatives often distract me, especially before I start writing. Another more present distraction is my thoughts – music helps quiet those intrusive thoughts as the words begin to flow.

Often, I wonder what other creators listened to while they worked on their projects. Occasionally, there is some reference in an article or blog post and it helps flesh out the larger world the characters inhabit. Knowing the musical settings of the creation of any piece of art is fascinating, and a listing of the music paired with specific piece would be wonderful. How often do we see video of a sculptor, painter, or even a game designer listening to music, whether it is through speakers or earbuds?

When I read Dune by Frank Herbert as a sophomore in high school I listened to the soundtrack of 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother) by the Eurythmics over and over. The brittle, throbbing dissonance of the music and lyrics deeply affected my entire experience and informed my perception of the narrative. The Eurythmics’ jagged, futuristic sound made the dark, personal scenes feel even more alien and intense, amplifying Paul’s journey in my teenage imagination. At the time I wondered what Mr. Herbert was listening to, if anything. Now, I wonder what you, the readers, are listening to when you are reading, creating, or studying.

As I mentioned above, I use the music to distract me from myself and my environment, but I also use it with some intentionality. When I am writing a particularly intense scene I will choose music that has some “bite” to it. When I am writing a more tender scene I will choose a more delicate background. For a tense confrontation scene in The Long Walk Home, I listened to Fear N Loathing’s German Underground Techno to capture its pulsing energy, which mirrored the characters’ rising conflict. However, when my ears tire of the bleeps and bloops, the music often changes to the analog sounds of Baroque classical music or Cool Jazz/West Coast Jazz.

During the writing of The Long Walk Home I did not keep a music journal, so it’s hard to share what specific pieces were playing for particular scenes. During the next book, Free From Shadows, I will try to keep a music journal (at least the highlights) and share it when it gets close to publication. Hopefully this journal will give you insight into my writing as we share a deeper connection during the next journey of Tommy, Charley, and Bethany.

As I write this, I’m streaming my Pandora station, Rapture at Sea (built from Eastern Sun’s soulful electronica), through over-ear headphones or speakers, depending on my environment. For classical or jazz, I prefer the richer, lossless sound of my CD or record player. Usually though, it will be livestreams or curated mixes/playlists by DJs on whatever device is handy.

I hear you saying, “But I want a list!” Below is that list with links where I could find them:

Electronica Artists

• Tycho Spotify: Dreamy, ambient electronica with lush soundscapes, ideal for introspective or atmospheric writing scenes.
• Ulrich Schnauss Spotify: Ethereal, layered synth melodies that evoke calm and focus, perfect for reflective storytelling.
• Melosense Spotify: Uplifting, melodic house with a warm, summery vibe, great for light or hopeful scenes.
• Sounds from the Ground Spotify: Downtempo grooves with earthy, organic beats, suited for grounded, immersive writing.
• Carbon Based Lifeforms Spotify: Cinematic, ambient electronica with a sci-fi edge, excellent for epic or otherworldly narratives.

DJs

• Ben Böhmer Spotify: Melodic house and techno with emotional depth, perfect for driving intense or heartfelt scenes.
• Global DJ Broadcast Spotify: Markus Schulz’s trance mixes, high-energy and uplifting, ideal for fast-paced action sequences.
• Group Therapy Spotify: Above & Beyond’s progressive trance sets, evoking euphoria and focus for dramatic writing moments.
• Zoltar Mixcloud: Underground techno with gritty, hypnotic beats, great for dark or suspenseful scenes.
• Schwarz & Funk Spotify: Smooth, jazzy deep house, blending chill vibes with sophistication, ideal for relaxed or introspective writing.

Channels

• The Grand Sound YouTube: Curates Night Drive Radio, Deep House, and Progressive House, offering smooth, driving beats for late-night writing sessions.
• Monstercat Silk YouTube: Deep and melodic house with a polished, emotional feel, perfect for nuanced or romantic scenes.
• Chillhop Music YouTube: Lo-fi, jazzy Essentials mixes for relaxed, creative flow, great for casual or reflective writing.
• Fear N Loathing YouTube: German underground techno with raw, pulsating energy, ideal for tense or gritty scenes.
• Blume Music YouTube: Melodic electronica and chillout, fostering a calm yet inspiring backdrop for writing.

Baroque Composers

• Antonio Vivaldi Spotify: Lively, vibrant Baroque compositions (like The Four Seasons), sparking energy for dynamic scenes.
• Georg Philipp Telemann Spotify: Elegant, intricate Baroque melodies, ideal for intricate or delicate writing moments.
• Domenico Scarlatti Spotify: Playful, ornate harpsichord sonatas, great for whimsical or detailed scenes.
• Arcangelo Corelli Spotify: Graceful, harmonious Baroque works, perfect for serene or classical atmospheres.

Jazz

• Dave Brubeck Quartet Spotify: Cool, rhythmic jazz (Take Five), offering a lively yet relaxed vibe for versatile scenes.
• Vince Guaraldi Spotify: Warm, melodic jazz (Peanuts soundtrack), perfect for cozy or nostalgic writing.
• Cal Tjader Spotify: Latin-infused West Coast jazz, vibrant and smooth, great for upbeat or cultural scenes.
• Stan Getz Spotify: Silky bossa nova and cool jazz, ideal for romantic or introspective moments.
• Ramsey Lewis Trio Spotify: Soulful, swinging jazz, blending groove and melody for energetic writing.
• Thelonious Monk Spotify: Quirky, inventive jazz with a unique edge, perfect for offbeat or complex scenes.

Thanks for joining me in exploring the soundtrack of my writing life. I hope these artists inspire your own creative journey. Next week, I’ll dive into the books that shaped The Long Walk Home—stay tuned! What music fuels your creativity? Share in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more writing insights! Until the next post….