The right music gets me into a desired emotional state for writing. It helps me stay in the “zone.” Staying focused and writing for longer. Tracks without vocals are best for this purpose, as most lyrics distract me. But there are exceptions. If I’m down, and the writing is not really flowing, or if I’m sick, I always use music. I put on nostalgia tracks or music which are fun to listen to. It helps me relax and get some work done.

The “melodic” voice of my cat Mr. Muffin I can’t recommend as a writing-aid. His cute little face and "Meow, entertain me!" or "I'm hungry, feed me now" do the opposite :-) The same is true for some genres. I have trouble focusing on writing when I listen to most rock, jazz, and classical tracks, or any track I have never heard before.

My MOST listened to
I use specific tracks to channel my emotions in the desired direction, like sadness, fear, or desire. Some tracks are so “pure” I can listen to them over and over again.

• Peter Gabriel's movie soundtrack from the Last Temptation of Christ.
  This is my MOST listened to. Such a brilliant “general fantasy mood fallback.” A big thank you to the great Peter Gabriel and his fantastic ensemble of musicians on this awesome recording. Respect!

• In the End, Tommee Profitt (feat. Fleurie)
  I listened to this “forever” on repeat! It’s a cover of a Linkin Park hit. So very sad, strong, and pure. It does have vocals but they are low in volume and not distracting.

Scenes: Exploring specific emotions
Music helps me to explore specific moods and emotions for specific scenes in the novel. These are the tracks I used for specific scenes or when writing about specific characters:

• Levitate me, SAVEUS
  When I imagined the first flight scene in the book, I was listening to this track. The vocals and the melody inspired me.

• Breathin and No tears left to cry, Ariana Grande
  The fight scene between Pino and the king. Heard them on repeat.

• Cry me a River, Justin Timberlake
  Pino reaches Celine at the entrance to Chint’le. Heard it when I came up with the scene, not when writing.

• Shallow (the chorus), Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
  Midnight high above the fjord. The start of the scene.

• Space Cowboy, Kacey Musgraves
  Cordin is sad as he shoots a black robe. The song is about something quite different, but it was the melody that inspired me.

• In the End, Tommee Profitt (feat. Fleurie)
  Several chapters with Emilai and Pino (like in the king’s camp and Ultbridge). When I knew I would write some sad passages.

• St. Elmos Fire (Man In Motion), John Parr
  Some of the dream sequences. The excited over-the-top beat and the lyrics put me in a dream-like place. Very helpful.

• The Last Temptation of Christ album, Peter Gabriel
  I listened to this when writing about Mage Prince Phytiax. If you want to get into a Phytiax-mood find this!

the artists I listened too

I listened to quite a lot of popular music from the eighties. Likely as writing fantasy puts me right back to my youth when I first discovered the genre and dreamt of becoming a writer. Some of the oldies’ stuff I listened to was movie soundtracks from back then, such as Top Gun and Dirty Dancing. Corny, but true classics. Thanks for the assist!

Movie Soundtracks

Passion: Music for the Last Temptation of Christ, Peter Gabriel

A Star is Born Soundtrack, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Top Gun (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Special Extended Edition, Various Artists

Dirty Dancing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Various Artists

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Various Artists

Moving Pictures, Peter Gabriel

Yes, some of these are oldies, but whatever gets the job done.


Series Soundtracks

Altered Carbon (Original Series Soundtrack), Jeff Russo

I don't just listen to the old stuff.

Game Soundtracks

Stellaris Complete Soundtrack, Andreas Waldetoft including performances by the Brandenburg State Orchestra

Contemporary science fiction sounds.
 

Tracks and albums - Pop and other genres

Various albums and tracks, Ariana Grande

Various tracks, Sigrid

Dua Lipa (Deluxe) & Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa

Will Somebody Save Us, SAVEUS

Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves

Disintegration, The Cure

Various tracks, Tommee Profitt

VOCES8, Enchanted Isle

Justified, Justin Timberlake

Various albums and tracks, David Guetta

Various albums and tracks, Lukas Graham

Greatest hits, Abba

The Pop Hits, Roxette

Everything is Love, The Carters

1, Zara Larsson

1000 Forms of Fear, Sia

Reputation, Taylor Swift

25, Adele

Various tracks, H.E.R

Honey, Robyn

In the Air Tonight, Phil Collins

What’s up danger, Blackway & Black Caviar

Playlists

Music from Films and TV Soundtrack / Music for Film, Matthew Whiteside

What else?

I don’t always listen to music while writing or imagining, most times I “listen” to the sound of silence. I also use silence when brainstorming new ideas, like at the beginning of writing a novel. There I really don’t need distractions.

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