Friday, October 22, 2010

Weekend writing

Hope you're all having a good weekend out there- mine's looking ridiculously busy, but I've definitely got the writing fever at the moment. Every spare second I have between swimming lessons, cooking, walks, mummy duties and the rest, I'm glued to my keyboard hammering out new scenes between Kit and Len.

I'm already well over 50,000 words for October (wow), though most of those were not for the WIP. Can I really do this two months in a row? Good grief. I'll need a holiday from myself in December.

Anyway, as is our way now and again, I thought I'd do a weekend post with some of the music that is resonating in my writing world at the moment. Hopefully the other ladies, as is our tradition, will toodle along over the weekend and add their latest inspiration to the list. And feel free to tell us what's inspiring you in the comments.

First up for me, Australian band Amy Meredith with Lying. This song has been getting a lot of airplay over the last couple of months, but it's not until this week that I realised why it grabs me- the jealousy just perfectly fits Len's mindset in the early days, as he and Kit are circling each other, almost coming together, only to push each other away every time.

I can't embed this one, so you'll have to look here for it. It's worth it for the cute dudes in the band ;)

Next, along the exact same lines, one of my all-time favourite songs about jealousy- The Killers, with Mr Brightside. Is it just me, or is Brandon Flowers one of the most oddly, magnetically charismatic performers you've ever seen? I've never been to a live concert. Maybe I shouldn't ever. I might swoon.



Lastly, call this one *extremely* left field, but I've gotta say that Katy Perry has been making good things happen in my writer's brain lately. I know, right? Probably the first and last time anyone's going to accuse her of being deep. Mwahaha.

What her bubblegum pop is helping me do is remember what it was like to be a love-struck, sex-obsessed teenager. Because sure as heck that's what all my characters *are* at the beginning of the book- 17-year-old Bill and 19-year-old Len are vying for the attention of the lovely 18-year-old Kit, and there's a lot of smoke and quite a bit of fire.

Me, I'm busy cleaning up baby vomit before I come back to the computer to sit down and write. Katy's helping me remember what life was like back at that age, when the biggest thing I had to worry about was when I'd get to see my boyfriend next, and whether my skivvy would totally cover the love-bite on my neck :)

Ah, the good old days. Who knew I'd end up marrying the guy and enter all this domestic disharmony? (g). Catch Katy's Teenage Dream here.

So, what are you listening to?

Kristen, here to add onto this.

I love the music video share posts, Claire!

Here is Rachel's comment:

Ah, love the music, Claire. And yes, that Mr Flowers is hawt (though I must say the older guy in the clip is mighty nice (and more my age, LOL!)).

My latest listen is the sound track from the Sherlock Holmes movie, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. All instrumental, and really summons up the mood of a lot of my book. Here's one track that's on high rotation at the moment - "Is it poison, nanny?"



As for me, I've been listening to moody music lately. Two songs have been revolving about in my head and clearly affecting my scenes. :)

First up is Massive Attack -Paradise Circus. Love this song. It calls to mind mystery, dark alleys, and Victorian London -which is good, since that's my current meat and potatoes. Video? Eh, a bit weird. lol


The other is Groove Armada -Edge Hill. About two minutes into the song, the music changes and I swear I get a lump in my throat every time. That bit of music sounds so hopeful yet bittersweet and timeless. I rewrote a lot of Miri and Archer's love scenes to this because it helped sum up their desperation -especially Archer's. So this is probably more Archer's music than Miri's. (g)


10 comments:

  1. Ah, love the music, Claire. And yes, that Mr Flowers is hawt (though I must say the older guy in the clip is mighty nice (and more my age, LOL!)).

    My latest listen is the sound track from the Sherlock Holmes movie, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. All instrumental, and really summons up the mood of a lot of my book. Here's one track that's on high rotation at the moment - "Is it poison, nanny?"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJdIqfybfk&feature=related

    And now, after taking kids for haircuts, doing five loads of washing and cleaning the house from top to bottom, it's time for me to put on my music and write.

    Later!

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  2. That's Eric Roberts you're talking about, Rach- the older guy? He's Julia Roberts' brother and is 54.

    I loved that Sherlock Holmes movie- couldn't believe so many people hated it- and the soundtrack was brilliant. Great stuff :)

    Yay for writing time for you, too, this weekend!

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  3. Huh, what do you know? Mr. Flowers is exactly my age *Evil grin*.

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  4. I've been listening to "Explosions In The Sky" & "Balmorhea" Two bands based out of Austin, TX. Both are instrumental but powerful stuff. For me, it's good because the lyrics don't get into the way of hammering out the words on page [screen].

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  5. Hey Aven- just checked out Explosions in the Sky on YouTube- I like them! Thanks for the tip. *Off to look for Balmorhea*.

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  6. Eric Roberts! Ack! That cracked me up. Love the music too, Claire. And I'm with you, I love Sherlock Holmes, what's up with people hating it?? Poo to them. lol

    Rach, I might steal this soundtrack to add to my listening list. Moody is definitely where I am at right now.

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  7. And might I add that Jude Law is sexy man candy on a stick. Even with a mustache. :-D

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  8. After a few weeks of my Constantinople Houseparty playlist (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5E0D4292D074ADFC) I've gone back to one of my favourite bands, The Divine Comedy, especially A Short Album About Love (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8B7DCDF28F97C83F). Someday I'll write a screenplay to go with that album...

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  9. Hey Girls, I love your selections. They're vastly different than my own and I appreciate hearing new stuff.

    My own playlists tend to be from film soundtracks - dunno why exactly, except that a lot of them have that "story arch" feel to them, the rise and fall of tensions and emotions. I'll latch onto a soundtrack for awhile, until I burn out on it. One song I just LOVE is this one by Yann Tiersen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgYnRh8ACGQ.

    Also had a long love affair with Gustavo Santaolalla's compositions from Brokeback Mountain. They're very evocative, soul-grabbing tunes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOsryKr3RiU

    And anything by composer Rachel Portman (Cider House Rules, Nicholas Nickleby,Chocolat, Lake House, The Dutchess, and more... She's incredibly prolific.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2ikhqMvRQ

    I don't listen to music with words while I write - it's distracting. But when I'm driving, I listen to music on the radio and get inspiration there, too. But one thing is certain. I need my music when I write.

    Susan

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  10. Why Susan, you know who sings with Yann Tiersen, do you? Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy :-)
    Including their cover of Life on Mars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdTSGjEFob8

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