A Writer's Working Environment: Music

As far back as I can remember music has always played a major role in my life, which seamlessly expanded into my writing environment.  Over the years of involvement in writing programs, reading the bios of authors, and in discussions with other writers I found it interesting the number of others who use music as part of their creative process.

I find when in work mode it can't be just music in general, but some times it’s a particular album and some times it's a special play list created to help get through a particular scene or even an entire project.  In the case of "Juxtaposition Reality" the entire HALO music collection (especially HALO III) is providing the working ambiance.  And with "The Dew Drop Inn" there are two selections that help with the creative background: Yes - "Keys to Ascension" and Roxy Music - "Avalon."  And the list goes on and on and . . .

Bottom line -- make the writing process fun.  (God knows the selling process is what makes this work).  You may not only find this an enjoyable working environment, but the creativity of who/whom you listen to may also prime your creative juices.

What is playing as I write this?  Jefferson Airplane - "After Bathing at Baxter's" and "Surrealistic Pillow."

"Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey"

Just completed reading "Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey" by the late-Nicholas Schaffner.  A very informative book on the foremost band to expound on its psychedelic foundation and still dominate the musical line-up of classic rock radio around the world.  There are a couple of drawback that tend to bog down the reader.  Schaffner gives an obsessive amount of pages to the rise and fall of Syd Barrett with unrelenting details on his eventual slip from the realities of this world.  The other is the often childish row between Roger Waters and the rest of the world.  Fortunately, there is a wealth of information and insight into the evolution of the band's creativity and thinking.  The behind the scenes perspective of the world's most iconic bands is well worth the read.

"The First Rule" by Robert Crais

Robert Crais' "The First Rule" is a return to my favorite protagonist, Joe Pike.  Traditionally left in a support role for Crais' popular Elvis Cole, Pike is a source of action packed drama in his own right.  Having spent over three decades in the military, it is easier to relate to Pike's temperament, his sense of values, and the frustration of what others see as right and wrong.  As a long-time reader of Robert Crais - "The First Rule" is one of his best to date.

HALO: Evolutions

Just completed reading "HALO: Evolutions," the recent collection of short stories from the HALO world.  The TOR and Bungie brought in a team of heavy hitter writers to help not only feed the appetites of the full-spectrum of HALO fans, but to also fill in some of the blanks on the ongoing HALO history from a intimate look at the infamous Dr. Halsey to the impossible life and mysterious disappearance of Admiral Cole.  A good read for the avid HALO fan as well as the non-fan looking for a taste of what it's all about.