Musical Interlude, for the Winter Solstice

A pretty little something I've been enjoying on this dark first night of winter. This is Grizzly Man by Rockettothesky. 

Later, I will be reading The Longest Night, written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Ted Lewin (Holiday House, 2009). 

Possibly, my ten-year-old may think she's too old to listen, but she'll be wrong, and when it gets to the part with the chickadee, we'll sing together,

        "And dee and dee and dee," she sings.
        "And dee and dee, again."

You're never too old for a great picture book.

Happy Solstice, to you and yours!

Another Musical Interlude: Breathe

And another gift from Scandinavia, this time from Norway. This is Breathe by The White Birch. 

Yes, it's another melancholy one, but it's quite pretty and atmospheric, lovely triggers for writing hard in my experience. 

Shall we write hard on this dark December night, my fine feathered friends?

Musical Interlude: Olafur Arnalds

I've got to tell you, I love Spotify. It just keeps giving me good stuff. 

I often (not always) tend to like moody, melancholy stuff when I write, because it usually gets me into the zone very fast. Cello and piano really do it for me; those of you who read my blog already know what music I tend to put forth as good music for writing. 

This is what I'm listening to right now. It's working like a charm. And I like this video, too.

Does music work for you? And if so, what kind?

Coming this week...

...my new website!

Stay tuned...

In the meantime, enjoy a little song. 

From the Mouth of an Injured Head, by Radical Face.

Musical Interlude: Running Through Woodland

Picture by me, in the woods near my home.

I am heavily into a new story this long weekend, the kind of story that began whispering phrases at me over a week ago, whispers that grew louder and became sentences wailing at me to write them down. A character and a story appearing almost out of the ether. 

Writing is most enjoyable, and often more powerful, when it comes like that.

So, today, a little writing music. Enjoy.

Musical Interlude: The Lion's Roar

Al little writing music, 

a little life music.

Musical Interlude: 'Rusty Nails' by Moderat

A little new writing music for the new year. 

Musical Interlude: Take Shelter

Hello.

Sure, it's been a while. Sometimes, life's like that, isn't it?

Sometimes, one just has to step away a little bit, find a little shelter from all the noise. 

And so, with that in mind, a little music for writing. Wear headphones and turn it up.

I hope you find it as evocative as I do.

Musical Interlude: Ghost Towns, Radical Face

Busy working and writing (passed 29,000 words on my WIP a few minutes ago!), 

but wanted to share my favorite song for writing to this week:

Enjoy...

Musical Interlude: Light Home, Matt Corby

Never thought I'd again hear a voice as haunting and beautiful as the late Jeff Buckley's, but then I went home to Australia and came across Matt Corby. And not just a voice, but lyrics and music, too. 

Musical Interlude: Zoe Keating

Just what is it about cello music that makes it so powerful to write to? 


Zoe Keating is powering the beginning of the novel I'm working on now, and I'm flying. 


Enjoy.

Musical Interlude: 'Alchemy' by Deuter

If you've taken one of my writing classes or workshops, you'll have heard this music. This has to be just about my favorite piece to write to once I have the words flowing. 


I like to put it on repeat and drift away... through a sun-dappled woodland, over a sparkling ocean... I imagine a protagonist running toward their goal, whatever it is, with increasing urgency. It reminds me of synapses in a person's brain, sparking and firing with creativity energy and inspiration. It puts me in a happy place, but has enough tension to keep the action going. 


Where does it take you?

Musical Interlude: Briony

From the Atonement Soundtrack, one of my favorite soundtracks for writing.

Yet Another Musical Interlude: The Lark Ascending

Here is Nicola Benedetti with Vaughan William's The Lark Ascending. 


I find this an exquisite piece of music to write to. Sensual and uplifting in all the right places.

Musical Interlude: Johnny Cash, 'Hurt'

Musical Interlude: Fishin' by Takenobu

Musical Interlude

I know it's not Musical Interlude Wednesday, but Wednesday shot through before I knew it. Suddenly it was Friday afternoon and I was cleaning my office, possibly feeling a just little melancholy, listening to the rain and to this...

...and it made me feel better. I hope it makes you feel good, too. 


WB wishes you a chirpy weekend. 

Musical Intervention: Things You Can Do With Radiohead

It's Wednesday lunchtime in the middle of an extremely long week in which I frantically try to catch up after my Utter Computer Disaster, so time for a little music break. Those of you who know me may be aware I love: 

• Offbeat piano music
• The cello
• And Radiohead (About the only music with lyrics I can listen to while writing. And which seems to lend itself brilliantly to instrumental covers.)

So here are great three takes ( including the original)  on one of my favorite pieces of writing music: Radiohead's, Street Spirit. 

Musical Interlude

Today, another staple from my writing and exercise playlists. I was extra excited to find this video, filmed in Australia. 


Please enjoy Andrew Bird's The Supine. 

My Writing Space

Those you who've taken my RISD class will be very familiar with my thoughts on the importance of a special writing space. Wordy Bird wants to share her office space à laThe Rejectionist's visionary suggestion, and she offers, in the wondrous spirit of sharing: some pictures, a video, and a soundtrack, which will all say more than words could. 


Because My Writing Space is also My Office & Place of Money Earning Employment, I spend A LOT of time in this room, so it's important the atmosphere be perfect. After all, a writing space is not just about the physical place and the stuff in it... it's about the atmosphere one creates in that place and the mental space a writer (and her co-dwellers) allow. 

 

Tools

Necessaries

Inspiration

Co-worker, Exercise Buddy, Best Friend... Baxtor Boo

Lord and Overseer, Mr. Crownell

A Typical Day

Soundtrack