Music and the Soul of the Writer.

My science fiction and fantasy-writing group is an eclectic bunch.  Hailing from many walks of life; young and old fathers and sons, daughters and mothers, all drawn together by the common theme of telling a story.  At the last meeting, one of the questions that been asked, and I don't think I answered with any great clarity, was; “Do I use music to inspire me and what kind of music?”

I answered that at the time, but now that I think about it, the person who asked the question wanted more than an affirmation that I listen to music when I write, which I do.  I think they wanted to know what kind of music inspires me.  What inspires me may not be the type of music that will inspire others, music, like writing is a very personal thing.

My heritage is on my father’s side Scot and Irish and I am sure there is an Englishman thrown in there somewhere.  In addition, on my mother's side, it's Filipino and Spanish.  While it probably doesn't mean much what my heritage is, it does help explain what I find comforting when I seek music that is inspirational to me.

Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Within Temptation, Clanadonia and Albannach are some of my favorites when I settle in and write my fantasy stories.  In fact, I use Clanadonia as my inspiration when I have the Lords and Ladies in my Aesr novels go to war.  The bagpipes and drums along with the look of the members of Clanadonia help me breathe life into this world and the struggles that grip the peoples within.

I also listen to Cusco, and if you have never heard of them, I highly suggest an adventurous quest to find some of their music. What? Yes I am well aware that the group is German, but we are discussing music that inspires me when I listen to it. It’s very new age so it may turn people off, but when I am in a deeply contemplative mood and working through some sort of block, I tend to listen to them.

When I worked in the Native Unit for HHSA, I found myself listening to flute music. At first I shrugged it off but the more I listen, the more I let the music seep into me, I found myself looking at the lands on the Rez much differently than I had before. Artists like R. Carlos Nakai, Hawk Littlejohn and Douglas Blue Feather for some great and awesome flute. Lakota Thunder for Powwow music. And if you have never been to the Gathering of Nations, you should put it on your bucket list.

Don’t know what the Gathering of Nations is? The Gathering of Nations is one of the largest Pow-wows in the United States. Held annually the fourth weekend in April, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over 500 tribes from around the United States and Canada travel to Albuquerque to participate. If you can go there and not be dazzled and inspired as your creativity leaps and bounds along new paths and new ideas for your stories, I…simply don’t know if anything will.  

As you can see, I draw my inspiration from a wide and deep musical pool which helps guide me into my stories. Yes, I even use these bands for my science fiction and modern stories, although I tend to allow some of my favorite metal bands come to the fore in these cases.

To get back to the original question, yes I do use music to inspire me, it helps sooth the soul of this writer, leading me along paths and vistas where my creativity blossoms.