H.C. Cavall's Blog: Sacred Spaces, page 2

On Music and Writing

It's very rare that I'm able to write without music playing in the background. For example, while I was busy writing Tainted, I had The Birthday Massacre's catalog constantly in the background. I needed the right mood to handle Astin's city after dark, and TBM paints a sonic landscape of blue and purple over emptily cheerful night that just fits. I listened to it so often while setting scenes that I can't disassociate the music from Astin anymore. One usually brings the other with it.

I'm don't know if it's something with the way the human brain works, but I know I'm not alone. When I was younger, I thought myself the cleverest person on the planet for producing "soundtrack" playlists for my fledgling novels, only to discover—whoops—it's actually pretty common. A great many writers seem to pick specific songs to drive their set pieces. There's just something about story telling and music that go hand in hand, from ancient poems and lyres all the way to modern movies.

Also, those fledgling novels I mentioned no longer exist. They've been set on fire and buried in a shallow grave with no headstone. Don't bother looking for them. You won't find enough to match dental records.

Returning to the point! I also think having your music collection with you is an important process in making an environment your own. As I've mentioned on Twitter, I really do think avoiding writer's block and general procrastination is about having a safe enough place to create. Writing for an audience is an arduous process—you're putting your soul out there for random strangers to judge—and you need somewhere familiar and non-threatening to bring forth the words. And, while any place can be made into your comfort zone if you sit yourself down and write in it enough, bringing your own music provides a little piece of your world that you take with you.


Featured Music

On a related note, I'll be posting music I'm listening to from time to time, and not just for writing purposes. I don't claim to know the latest fads or have fingers on pulses or what have you. They're just things I think are cool.


Velocifero (Ladytron)

A smooth, electronic, and vaguely threatening drone with looped choruses and hooks that you won't be able to get out of your head for days. "I'm Not Scared" in particular will haunt you for a week, if not the rest of your life. Shoegazing, electronica, synthpop—there's a little bit of something in here for everyone. Check it out on Spotify or purchase directly in the general direction of the link.

The Critical Opening Post

This will be the very first thing people see on my fledgling blog—the first impression they have, not only of me, but also my book.

So.

Uh.

...

Yeah, I got nothin'. (Sigh.)

Regardless, stay tuned for updates from time to time. I'm not good at the MyBooking and Facetweeting like the kids these days, so it's hard to keep up with all the proper communication channels. Still, at least now I have a place I can write long-form if the inspiration strikes me.

Oh, and buy TAINTED. It's a really cool book, and I'm not just saying that because I'm the handsome and exceedingly talented author.