Influences: Drifting on Musical Tones

I will have to admit that this blog entry snuck up on me. I don’t know where the month of August escaped to. I’ve looked for remnants of it under the bed and cowering in the corners with the dust bunnies, but the only place I’ve found it are in unanswered emails that are impatiently waiting in my inbox. As a result, I have to admit that I might ramble a bit in today’s blog entry as I search for a direction, theme, topic.

I’m currently in the middle of edits for Burn the Night: the sixth book in the Dark Days series. As I trek slowly through the chapters, trying to decide what stays and what has to go, I find myself trying to recapture the mood by returning to music that I listened to while writing the book. For the sixth book in the series, I once again found myself returning to some old favorites in the form of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, and Tool. At least, those were Mira’s favorite bands and seemed to reflect her short temper, driving need for violence and control, and general fire of spirit.

At the moment, there is a second storyteller in the book and I needed new music to reflect this voice that is so different and yet similar to Mira. This character lacks the driving fire and short temper, but has the same dedication to a task and loyalty to those that she cares about. For this storyteller, I found myself slipping into Placebo, Tori Amos, and the soundtrack to “Pride and Prejudice.” I needed something a little more subtle and haunting as I worked with this character.
Music is an absolute must for me as I work. I am generally unaware of what specific song that I am listening to while I type, but the sound creates a mood that helps as I write a scene. The sounds seep into my subconscious and taint my words as they trickle across the screen.

When I’m not working on the book, but sitting at the computer, I currently find myself listening to a new playlist that I created called “random sad songs,” which includes “I Need Some Sleep” by the Eels, “Hallelujah” by Rufus Wainwright, “Mad World” by Gary Jules, the Meds album by Placebo and the Ophelia album by Natalie Merchant. I’m need to dump this collection soon or I may soon be stuck in this melancholy mood.

Looking forward, I’m hoping to soon start a new series and I’m searching for new music to match my new storyteller. He’s a very interesting character that I am quickly becoming enamored of, though I’m still somewhat wary. However, I feel like I can’t love him until I know his soul and I can’t see his soul until I find his music. I can’t use the same bands that filled the Dark Days series because this series has a very different feel. I have a feeling that that Rob Zombie will be making an appearance in the playlist. It has a nice driving beat, an overall darkness, and yet a tongue-in-cheek attitude that fits this character. We shall see what I am finally attracted to as I begin to work on this book.

My question for you is what are you currently listening to? What drives you when you’re working? Is there anything that you simply can’t listen to when you work?