Julie's Writing Playlist

“Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful.” Said Plato.


I remember once in elementary school ( a very long time ago) the teacher gave us a blank sheet of paper. She said close your eyes and draw whatever comes to mind as you listen to the music. This was a fun exercise in the versatility of the mind to be moved by certain musical patterns. 

As a fantasy writer, music is key to helping give flight to my imagination. But it's not just any music that will do. Each scene I'm writing needs a particular type of music to really stir up the imaginative flow. And it's not easy finding just the right piece. I've spent lots of time listening to different songs, waiting for inspiration to strike. 

I've collected quite the playlist over the years and would like to share some of the main ones I listen too while writing.


1) Lord of the Rings Calm mix. This is my all time favorite and normal go-to. This one works well when writing your more normal scenes or ethereal scenes. It's not very helpful when writing high action scenes because this is a calm mix. 

2) Spooky Music Compilation This one is so much fun! It's great for any scene that includes anything spooky, like sneaking through a dark forest or even engaging with mischievous creatures.

3) Requiem for a Dream This one is perfect for a high action/fight scene! It is very dramatic and I can just visualize an epic fight scene whenever I listen to it.

Others: I have a full list of instrumental songs that I skim through but here is a group that is one of my favorites:

Two Steps From Hell: this memorable group has tons of songs from calm to epic. It's just a matter of trying them out. Click on the name to hear my favorite.

What are some of your go-tos for writing? I'd love to hear about your favorites!

Trusting God in the Journey of Life (Erin)

My devotion this morning said, "Trust in Me (God). Do not be afraid" (Jesus Calling). How many of us, when we are faced with a new endeavor, relationship, calling, or step on our journey are met with fear? We often forget to trust God. . . or even if we do remember, we have a hard time feeling trusting.

Whether you are walking into new classrooms, as a teacher (me today) or student, or are considering joining a new critique group, or are planning to submit to or sign with a new publisher or agent, or even are just looking a blank screen and thinking of writing a new page, it all takes trust. Knowing that God has called us to certain tasks and journeys, and remembering that He equips those He calls can make a huge difference in our lives.

This morning, let's ask God to help us trust in Him, and then look for ways He answers our prayers. When I am fearful, I often turn to music. Hillsong's "Oceans" is one of my favorites. Watch it here and pay attention to the lyrics.

What do you need to trust God for today? Let us know, and we can even pray for you.

Also, what songs encourage you to trust God? Include the links to encourage us. Thanks!

Attributions:
https://pixabay.com/en/water-sea-la-palma-atlantic-ocean-1555170/

Top 3 Music Choices to Inspire Creativity (Erin)

I must confess, I haven’t had much time for writing lately. Well, to be more accurate, I haven’t had a lot of time to pursue my own writing lately. I’ve devoted lots of time to reading student writing, which I also love, but I am looking forward to summer, when I am hoping to tackle a revising project and finish my second manuscript.

Whether I am writing, revising, or reading student work, I find I often want to listen to music, but, as an introvert, too many words tend to annoy me. And, as much as I love fantasy soundtracks, (see my March 11 post) I sometimes feel like they influence what I am writing too much. Since I know the movies so well, I can get distracted as I remember the scenes that go with the music, and movie themes or character choices start to infiltrate my own writing.

Instead, the choices below allow me space to be creative, but also are enjoyable and keep the room from being too quiet.

3. Enya Watermark: Like a great bowl of macaroni and cheese, I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow Watermark. This is only her second album, but the mix of relaxing songs in English and Gaelic is timeless. Listening reminds me of sitting in a window in the early morning, being fascinated by the designs the steam from my cup of coffee makes in the soft sunlight. I like to listen to Enya at the start of a writing session, when my brain needs to wake up a bit.   

2. Classical Minnesota Public Radio: MPR is one of my most common choices, (unless they happen to be playing an opera). I enjoy many styles of classical music, and even the radio announcers have soothing voices. The unpredictability of the host’s music selections keeps me focused and awake, which is helpful when I am tired and tempted to zone out, but have scheduled myself for a three-hour writing (or correcting) session.

1. Scarfboy  00255 Part One: Definitely the most modern selection, this album was just released May 11, but has already become a favorite. “A collection of songs inspired by shades of the color blue,” I enjoy listening to 00255 Part One from start to finish. Beginning with “Christening” and ending with “Doxology,” the album calls to mind space, the ocean, and even includes a bit of guided relaxation  in “Ataraxia.” The unified progression of songs leads me to a more tranquil space where I can pay attention to writing and reading, instead of lists and deadlines. You can listen to the album at bandcamp.com.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you prefer music with words, movie soundtracks, or instrumental music? Leave a comment and let us know!

Top Three Fantasy Soundtracks (Erin)

As you know by now, I love fantasy books and movies. But what can you do when real life intrudes on your ability to spend an entire day escaping into the worlds of books and movies?

Listen to music, of course. I enjoy lots of types of music, but these are my favorite fantasy albums:

Honorable Mention: (Shhh. . .I am cheating!)  The Hunger Games: Songs of District 12 and Beyond

This compilation by various artists is loud, energetic and inspiring. It makes household chores go faster, and always makes me want to be brave. However, it is too distracting for me to listen to while writing or grading papers, so it falls just short of my Top 3s list.



 
Three: How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell: This album is full of hope displayed in almost-Celtic sounding strings, and never fails to make me smile. My favorite track is "Forbidden Friendship," which shows the beginning of Hiccup's unlikely friendship with Toothless.






Two: Harry Potter by John Williams: John William's magical music makes frequent use of bells and chimes, which are synonymous with Halloween and magic at my house. Don't worry--we don't cast any spells, or enchant anyone, but we do enjoy planning costumes, treats and fall fun for our friends and neighbors (and we make a great butter beer--non-alcoholic, of course). 

One: The Hobbit by Howard Shore: I love listening to this album when I sit down to work on a scene in my Work In Progress. It captures the wandering spirit of adventurers, and inspires me to take risks in my writing. Although I love the instrumental sounds, and two-CD length, my favorite track is "Song of the Lonely Mountain," by Neil Finn.
"We must awake, our lives to make, and in the darkness a torch we hold."


What are your favorite fantasy songs or albums? Leave a comment and let us know!

Top 3 Lesser-Known Christmas Songs (Laurie)

Last week Hannah shared her Top 3 Christmas Carols. I thought it was a fun topic and wanted to do something along similar lines, but as I considered my favorite Christmas songs I kept circling back to songs that aren't typically played on the radio and may not be traditional hymns sung in most churches. So today, I present my Top 3 Lesser-Known Christmas Songs:

3. Joseph's Song

This song has become a tradition at my parents' church, where we typically go for a Christmas Eve service, and I just love it. It's a beautiful way to consider Joseph's perspective in the Christmas story, this ordinary carpenter who took on the role of Jesus' earthly father.

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours.
How can a man be father to the Son of God?
Lord, for all my life I've been a simple carpenter.
How can I raise a king? How can I raise a king?

This song has become all the more meaningful to me now that I'm a parent. I've held my own babies in my arms, wondering how God could've entrusted me with this tiny life. How much more overwhelming must it have been for Joseph, entrusted with caring for the Son of God?

You can listen to Michael Card singing Joseph's Song here.


2. Mary, Did You Know?

This is probably the most familiar song of the three I've chosen, but I didn't hear it until I was at least a teenager, and it's always stopped me in my tracks. In a similar vein as Joseph's Song, it considers the perspective of Mary on that very first Christmas. What I love most about this song is how it highlights the incredible mystery of Jesus as both man and God. He was a helpless newborn, cradled in his mother's arms, yet his very birth was an event that changed the world - God coming to earth and taking on human form.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you're holding is the great "I am."

I get chills just reading the lyrics, then pair it with the haunting melody and it creates one of the most powerful, moving Christmas songs ever written.

My favorite version of Mary, Did You Know? is by Pentatonix - I've watched their video over and over and tear up pretty much every time. See it here.


1. Night of Silence

I don't know if I've mentioned on this blog before that I love to sing. I was in church choirs starting in grade school up until my first son was born, when I suddenly had other, more pressing obligations during church services :) In my middle school / high school church choir, we sang Night of Silence every year on Christmas Eve, and it was always the song I most looked forward to. It was written to be sung along with Silent Night, another one of my favorite Christmas songs, but there was something about the lyrics and the ebbs and flows of the melody that made singing Night of Silence an especially memorable experience for me.

Voice in the distance, call in the night
On wind you enfold us, you speak of the light
Gentle on the ear, you whisper, softly
Rumors of a dawn so embracing
Breathless love awaits darkened souls
Soon will we know of the morning

 I love that the words aren't as directly about the child and animals in the manger but instead reflect the dark, restless state of mankind, in such need of a Savior.

I found a video of this song performed by the St. Olaf Choir, which is perfect since St. Olaf College happens to be my alma mater :) Watch it here.


Are you familiar with any of these songs? What Christmas songs would make your top 3? Are any of your favorites songs that aren't as well-known?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie