Writing Music and Moods

I know some of you can only write in pure silence. I am not one of those people. I need noise of some sort, but preferably music. I'm not into having a play list specifically for each book, rather play lists of certain moods. After all, our entire book isn't non stop violence, non stop sensuality, or non stop adventure. Therefore, shouldn't our play list be just as varied.

Now that I've said that here's where a problem comes in, at least a problem for me. I've always been told we creative types tend to be more emotional and more susceptible to others' energies and moods. I can be plugging along on a storyline and a song comes on and totally changes my mode of thinking. Here's an example:

If I'm in the middle of, say, a fight scene and this song comes on my brain suddenly switches into romance mode. Oh, and not just romance mode, but heart broken, want to cry mode. I can picture my character in emotional pain, suffering the loss of an unrequited love, or maybe a terrible break up with the love of their life!

 

Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, I can not write anything but violence when this song pops on. There's just something so dark and mean about it that a fight must ensue on the screen the second he starts counting down.

Even as I've been writing this blog I've had to repeatedly change the music selection. I just can't focus on anything real when I've got Rumpshaker, Boys II Men 'I'll Make Love to You', or Doris Day's Que Sera, Sera playing in my ear.

Perhaps it's time to find a specific play list for each book, but I honestly don't think it'll help. As the song changes, so will my mood.

Love me, touch me, kiss me....

I've been on a major romance kick the past week and a half. Maybe it's because Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Or maybe it's because I'll be celebrating my wedding anniversary to my soul mate this month. Regardless of the reason, it has given me a lot of romantic inspiration for my writing. Which, of course, got me thinking about my romance song list.

So, for your listening - and viewing - enjoyment, and in no specific order, here are some of the most romantic songs for which to write to, make love to, or just snuggle to. Enjoy!

Kissing You by Des'Ree. I first heard this song while watching Romeo + Juliet. The the music alone makes me crave hands moving through my hair, fingers brushing down my cheek.

My Love by Sia. Any Twihard knows this song. This is played during the infamous, extremely romantic and sensual make-out scene in Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Can't you picture Edward's hands moving so gently over Bella's face?

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Ahhhh. I can picture every single action as the song plays out. You can feel the way Eric loves his woman in this song.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You  by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. A little indulgent and cute, sure, but I so badly want this song sung to me!

Make A Memory by Bon Jovi. This band can sing just about anything and it makes me think of snuggling...or more!

I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi. You can't think of romantic and Bon Jovi without this one. *sigh*

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. The lyrics, the movie, the moments. What woman doesn't want to think their man loves every single thing about them?

What songs bring love to mind? What really makes you crave your significant other's touch, their lips?