My beta readers have returned their comments on Renegade of Opshar and I have a bit of thinking to do. It would be a spoiler to say what I have to think about. So, instead, I’m going to blather about the music I have been listening to while working on this story.
Like a lot of writers — maybe even most writers — I listen to music while working. As I get deeper into different projects, I’ll focus in on certain music and listen over and over. For instance, while writing one of my earlier novels, Too Many Princes, I listened to the Enigma Variations of Edward Elgar.
For the Minstrels of Skaythe novellas, I’ve listened to more classical-styled game soundtracks. Initially the music was from Dragon Age Inquisition, since I was sparked to write by that series. (Also, I don’t have the music from Dragon Age Origins or Dragon Age II in my library).
Partly with Wailing Tower and definitely with Renegade of Opshar, I shifted a bit to the music of Thomas Bergerson, who has done a lot of music for commercials, movies, and games. (Not for the Dragon Age games, though.) Bergerson’s music is… just big. Full orchestra, full chorus, a few additional instruments and vocalists.
Anyway, if you’re curious, here is a link to one of Bergerson’s compositions that got the creative juices flowing for Renegade of Opshar.
Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my website, Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter.
I’ve come across a lot of writers online who write to music, especially when they are writing stories set last century. I’m one of those people, though, that writes better with a quiet background. It’s just easier for me to concentrate.
As most of my writing has been as a journalist, most of my writing has not been done with background music. That’s true of my fiction/scripts as well.
That said, there are exceptions. When I was writing about elven culture and arts for an upcoming book, I listened to some “elven” music.
And years ago when I was writing a play that was intended to be very disturbing, I turned my radio to in between two stations. I found a spot where an irritating tone was wavering in and out. It got on my nerves–which was perfect for writing that play.
That’s clever!