(I’m testing out ecto with this post, so please pardon any screwed-up-ness that might occur as a result.)

I think I need some new writing music. My iTunes Writing Playlist tells me that I have 11+ hours of music, but I still need more. The problem, I think, is that too much of my playlist is made up of movie soundtracks from films that strongly resonate with me.

Here’s what I mean: While I’m writing a scene of conflict between the elves and humans of Searoyal, suddenly “Concerning Hobbits” will begin to play, and all I can see are Frodo and the gang skipping around and dancing with Rosie Cotton. Or while I’m writing a touching scene between two characters who have yearned for each other since they met, “Hedwig’s Theme” filters through my headphones, and an owl flies in and drops a Hogwarts Letter on the heroine’s lap. Not exactly romantic.

I can listen to some movie soundtracks while I write. Stargate and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon work especially well. I think it depends on how thematic the music is, how strongly it evokes the images from the film. If I instantly start seeing pictures from the movie in my head, it gets confusing. Not exclusively related to soundtracks is the effect of the mood and tone of the music. Music that is rather dark or somber doesn’t seem to affect my happy scenes, but music that’s too joyful can stop a dark scene in its tracks.

I’ve heard Transformers has a pretty good soundtrack for listening-while-you-write. I think music from historical dramas like Elizabeth in general would be good. I can listen to music with lyrics; I’m fairly good at tuning the words out. World music—especially from the British Isles—seems to work phenomenally. Johan gave me some Babylon 5 music recently so hopefully that’ll work out.