Music and fiction are closely related. Their dance reaches back to before the ancient Greek epics were constructed, to a time when words were first put to music. The mediums still inspire each other these days, so why not experiment with music for your fiction writing this winter?
Phillip Glass
If you’re part of the school that swears by instrumental music when you’re writing, it’s hard to see past Phillip Glass. Phillip Glass has a long history of creating poetic music that strikes a balance between classical composition and modern soundscapes. It’s perfect for writing.
Listening to Phillip Glass while you write your fiction not only gives your thinking mind something to do, thereby freeing up your imagination to deliver on the page; it also contributes to your imagination by offering soundscapes with imaginative patterns that are certain to influence you.
Bon Iver
Some writers like to choose different albums and soundtracks to listen to; the randomness keeps things lively and interesting. Other writers are far more controlled; they always listen to the same album or have a specific song for writing. Learning with a Music Tutor is also inspiring.
Bon Iver is an artist that can be used in this capacity. They make soft ambient music with minimal vocals to distract the language mind from its job of creating sentences. But there is enough interest in Bon Iver’s music to inspire your fiction writing and sustain your concentration.
Sigur Ros
One of the main issues with using music while writing fiction is the lyrics. There might be some artists that you would definitely use if it weren’t for the vocals. Thankfully, that isn’t the case with Sigur Ros, unless your first language is Icelandic, that is. Sigur Ros has lyrics, but it still works.
Listening to Sigur Ros as you craft beautiful sentences is not a distraction like it would be if you listened to Brian Eno or John Cage. Because Sigur Ros sings in Icelandic, the vocals blend with the music, becoming like an instrumental track. Sigur Ros is very imaginative and inspiring.
Explosions in the Sky
The perfect music to write to is music that has an upbeat tempo and minimal lyrics, a description that suits Explosions in the Sky perfectly. Explosions in the Sky are an American post-rock band that uses conventional instruments to make raw soundscapes with fuzzy undertones.
Again, Explosions in the Sky gives your thinking mind something to do while your creative mind floats off in various directions. As with a lot of post-rock artists, you will find Explosions in the Sky both mellow and rocky. It is these peaks and trough that helps to stimulate new ideas.
AC/DC
Okay, so AC/DC doesn’t tick the lack of lyrics box, but in some ways, it does. The loud howlings of Brian Johnson, Bon Scott, and Dave Evans is almost indecipherable, and the music has pace and energy. If you like to write quickly in a rocky echo chamber, switch on AC/DC.
