Like many other writers, I like to write with music. In fact, I have to write to music as silence distracts me.  Because of this, I’ve found that I associate certain songs with my novel FATE’S PAST.  So, without further ado, the following is a list of a few of the songs I listened to while writing FATE’S PAST:

Cloud Atlas Soundtrack — “End Title”

I will always think of FATE’S PAST when I hear this song because it was on repeat for much of the initial drafting. There’s just something about the progression of “End Title” that I enjoy while writing–I’ll often find the pace of my writing to build along with the tempo of the song.  This is still my go-to writing jam.

Explosions in the Sky — “The Winner Is”

Similar to “End Title,” “The Winner Is” has a nice progression, though it builds faster and is shorter than “End Title.” The violin section always gets my creative juices flowing.

Arctic Monkeys, “Do I Wanna Know”

I wrote the climax of my book while listening to “Do I Wanna Know.”  Its aggression and sexiness sets the mood nicely for late-night writing.

Grizzly Bear, “Two Weeks”

This was my “revisions” song–its calculated pace and soothing harmonies helped the mind-numbing process.

The Neighborhood, “Sweater Weather”

I discovered this song (and The Neighbourhood) as I was putting the “finishing touches” on FATE’S PAST.  I also listened to it as I was querying, so it will always have a special place in my heart due to its connection with such an immutable time in my life.

Well, those are a few of the songs that would be on FATE’S PAST’s soundtrack.  Later, I’ll post the songs that I’m now listening to while drafting my current work-in-progress.

How about you?  What are some of your favorite “writing” songs?