The creative process works differently for everyone.
Some people need absolute silence, others have to be in a certain physical space to work, and some can only be brilliant when they’re wearing their Doctor Who socks.
As for me, I accomplish most things while listening to music. I play my radio when I’m getting ready for the day, and I’ve got lots of playlists on my ipod: Cooking Mix, Driving Mix, Workout Mix, Year in Music, Nova Scotia, you name it.
And, most importantly, I’ve got a Writing Mix, which I’m going to share with you.
These songs all help me to focus in some way. Either because I simply love them, or for some ridiculous connection I’ve made in my mind between these songs and my creative process. Some will have loftier reasons than others, while some are on here just for fun.
Without further ado, I give you my Writing Mix:
“The Adventure Begins,” from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”: The Hobbit soundtracks have been great to write to! Of course I enjoy Tolkien’s work very much, but I also think of Bilbo, and how even the most unassuming folks can have wonderful stories to tell.
“Anything Could Happen,” by Ellie Goulding.
“Beauty and the Beast,” instrumental theme by Jim Brickman: This is my favorite movie/story of all time.
“Captain America March“: Do I really need to justify adoring Captain America?
“Carolina In My Mind,” by James Taylor
“Chances,” by Athlete: This song was featured in my favorite “Doctor Who” episode, “Vincent and the Doctor.” It plays in the background when the Doctor and Amy take Vincent to a modern day exhibit to show him how much he is loved all over the world. This song makes me cry but I love it.
“Dawn,” from “Pride and Prejudice”
The “Downton Abbey” theme
“Drink Up Me Hearties,” by Hans Zimmer: From “The Pirates of the Caribbean.” I was listening to this once while reading Shakespeare’s 1 Henry IV, and the music hit its sweeping crescendo just as Falstaff was expounding upon honor during the Battle of Shrewsbury. Now this song reminds me of Shakespeare.
“Durin’s Folk,” from, you guessed it, The Hobbit. The dwarves are my favorite folk.
“Everything Has Changed,” by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran: I know, I know. But it’s catchy.
“Fireflies,” by Owl City: Fireflies= Ray from “Princess and the Frog”= “Ma Belle Evangeline”= Astrophel and Stella, my favorite sonnet sequence.
“Fix You,” by Coldplay: I love Coldplay.
“The Game is On,” from “Sherlock”: The writing game is on, Mrs. Hudson.
“Gangsta’s Paradise,” by Coolio: Yep.
“Hedwig’s Theme,” from “Harry Potter”: As if I don’t love “Harry Potter.”
“Ho Hey,” by The Lumineers
“Howl’s Moving Castle Theme,” by Joe Hisaishi: Hisaishi’s best. This is my favorite song to write to.
“I Am the Doctor,” from “Doctor Who.”
“I See Fire,” by Ed Sheeran: From “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”
“L.O.V.E. (French version),” by Nat King Cole: It’s Nat King Cole. In French.
“La Vie En Rose,” by Louis Armstrong: I enjoy Edith Piaf, but this version is near and dear.
“Le Festin,” from “Ratatouille”: Anyone can cook, and anyone can write. This one is all about motivation, but it’s also sweet-sounding.
“Libiamo,” as performed by Andre Rieu and his orchestra
“Ma Belle Evangeline“: See: “Fireflies.”
“Misty Mountains,” from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
“Moon River,” sung by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” This scene is so lovely it will make your heart ache.
“Mozart/Figaro,” from “Beethoven’s Last Night,” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
“My Name is James,” from “James and the Giant Peach”
“Noble Maiden Fair,” from “Brave”: This movie encourages you to follow your heart, and to take heart and be strong.
“Not With Haste,” by Mumford and Sons: There isn’t enough room on this blog to tell you how much I love their lyrics. Suffice it to say, they are brilliant, and the group would more accurately be named Humanism: The Band.
“Once Upon a December,” from “Anastasia”
“Once Upon a Dream,” by Lana Del Ray: From “Maleficent,” this song turns the original on its head. I like creative re-interpretations.
Sherlock Opening Titles: The game is indeed on.
“Orange Colored Sky,” by Lady Gaga: We’ll talk more about this when her long-awaited jazz album FINALLY comes out.
“Over Hill,” from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
“Painter Song,” by Norah Jones: I once wrote a fan fiction based on a Van Gogh work that I somehow worked into a conspiracy theory involving a sinister organization that threatened the very fabric of reality. Someone made me a mix to go with that work, and now this song makes me think of Van Gogh. That was my favorite fan work, too.
“A Postcard to Henry Purcell,” from “Pride and Prejudice”
“The Scientist,” by Coldplay
“Sigh No More,” by Mumford and Sons
“A Sky Full of Stars,” by Coldplay: It’s Astrophel and Stella all over again.
“Song of the Lonely Mountain,” by Neil Finn, from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
“Sons of Odin,” from “Thor”: Marvel is making some of my favorite movies right now.
“Soon After Midnight,” by Bob Dylan: He has a date with the Fairy Queen, and I’ve read Edmund Spenser.
Theme from “Jurassic Park.” I will never not love that movie.
“Uma Casa Portuguesa,” by Amalia Rodrigues
“Vacances,” by Georges Delerue