Megan...likes music? Duh.

I thought today that I would discuss something actually related to the writing process instead of bogging you down with the details of woe is me, woe is me, can't find work, live with my parents, cat is an idiot, etc. Since I honestly can't tell you how to write a masterpiece (they've been hiding that secret from me sadly - if you find it, please let me know), I thought, well, why don't I talk to you, my friends, about music and writing?

Okay, yeah, you're probably thinking this right now...



But stay with me!

Music has the power to inspire, to encourage, to make your brain boil and explode into slimy confetti. For writing, it can be a tool or a problem. I only listen to music sometimes when I write (most of the time I admittedly watch television - most of my new YA manuscript so far, code name ONCE ETERNAL, was written while watching Parks and Recreation), but finding the right music is important. I tried writing an action sequence while listening to Bon Iver and I felt as if my character wanted to make out with the bad guys instead of ripping them a new one.

My story so far has been somewhat dark, but at the same time meant to give a feeling of starkness, disbelief, and an unusual sensation. It takes place in the afterlife, so yeah, but not heaven - not really. As the story progresses, it gets darker, moodier, and you begin to realize that the clean, perfect veneer is host to a great deal of turmoil beneath the surface.

So of course my music has shifted. I went from listening to Bon Iver wailing at me to Hybrid to Kosheen to *insert vaguely known British electronic group* back to Hybrid and randomly to Lordi. I don't really know where Lordi came from, I think it was because I have a poster of Finnish NHL players above my desk and their eyes told me that I had to listen to Finnish hard rock. I don't mind.

Randomly, though, The Fifth Element soundtrack has also been on my play list.



As the story changed, so does my music. I don't know if this is the case for all writers, but I like to create playlists dependent on the mood and feeling of what each scene is that I write.

Okay, yes, I'm sorry, I know you all just did this while reading my nonsensical rambling.



And in a writing update, I am at 31,200 words in less than two weeks. My two week anniversary will be on Thursday, but since I'll be at the beach on Thursday boiling in the sun and developing skin cancer, I need to push forward.

I hope this at least enlightened you about what my mind craves when I write. Once I finish the manuscript, I think I'll post an official play list so you can all download some inspiration-starting tunes.

Now, to pack my beach bag!