After the tremendous outpouring of stories and experiences about our most miserably failed concoctions in June, we were absolutely swamped by the amazing discussion and dialogue that we forgot to re-open a new topic for July! All right, I promise, no more drink or liquid puns.
For now.
Just like the previous ones, we're going to talk about fan-fiction (yours). The basic ground rules are the same. Please restrict this to stuff from your fan-fiction, but aside from that, no pressure. You can suggest, make observations, but no condemning other people's work and "I don't know" is a perfectly acceptable answer.
July's topic: How does music influence your writing? Are there particular songs, albums, artists, genres, or composers that you use while writing? Discuss.
July's topic was suggested by Nightmare975. If you have something you feel would be of interest for the café to discuss, post it in the discussion section below. Atarumaster88 
(Talk page) 16:06, July 12, 2012 (UTC)
Entries[]
Atarumaster88[]
- When I was writing The Final Voyage, I wanted to capture that sense of camaraderie of a ship's crew that has served together for years through a variety of adventures. Given that's one of the things the Star Trek universe is known for, I listened to several of the film scores for the Star Trek movies during the writing of that novella as an auditory influence. In particular, the film tracks from Nemesis, Insurrection, First Contact, Generations, and The Undiscovered Country were the ones I listened to the most. Some of the other older ones just didn't fit the story as well I wanted, so I mostly cherry-picked from the newer film tracks. I didn't use too much of 2009's Star Trek if only because it was a little too energetic for a story built largely around reflection. "Main Title" from First Contact is probably my favorite out of all of them. Atarumaster88
(Talk page) 16:06, July 12, 2012 (UTC)
Brandon Rhea[]
I listen to music whenever I write, whether it’s fan fiction or RPing on SWRP. I try to find something relevant in any number of places. Occassionally it’s Star Wars music, but generally I use something like from Immediate Music, Two Steps from Hell, Epic Score, or other things like that. For example, one that I’m particularly fond of is “Journey to Freedom” by Bruton Music. That’s the song I use in my head as an unofficial theme song for the Ophuchi Clan. I’m also quite fond of the soundtrack from the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, since a lot of it is just downright genius.
There are lots of random lyrical songs I listen to as well, if I feel that the lyrics represent what I’m writing at the time. For example, in RPing, particularly if that RPing involves my character Jhon Cordatus and his fallen apprentice Andraste, I like to use the song “Undone” by FFH. One string of lyrics in that says “It’s true what they say, love must be blind. That’s why you’re still standing by the sinner’s side.” That could represent Jhon still believing that Andraste has good in her, but it could also just as appropriately represent Andraste not hating Jhon and Jhon representing one of the few good things in her life. - Brandon Rhea(talk) 02:52, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
Trak Nar[]
I listen to music often. I listen based on sound, tempo, and mood, not necessarily who the music is by. Therefore, my playlist can have a very large range or be very narrow, depending on the type of atmosphere I'm going for. Every time I would draw Pepan Manja, I would listen to Italian music, notably the terentellas. Breakfast in Bedlam didn't really have a playlist, as often I wrote it while sitting in bed. When I was typing it, the playlist varied from dance music, to rock, to Jewish music, mainly because I was looking for a good tempo. When typing, I listen to music based on beat, as a faster beat means I get the work done faster. It sets the pace.
I have various playlists for drawing, particularly if I'm trying to set a mood. Miles Davis for crime noir, for example. But when it comes to the actual writing... since I write everything by hand, I usually don't listen to anything in particular. I'll have the radio on, but that's it. Trak Nar Ramble on 03:04, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
Goodwood[]
Count me in as another patron of the musical arts. Just about any genre will do (except country, country-western, and "worship" music of any kind), though my preferences tend to lean toward classical music, orchestral and/or choral pieces (i.e., anything used in film soundtracks), so-called "epic" music such as that produced by Audiomachine and Two Steps From Hell, as well as rock'n'roll and its derivatives from the early-mid '60s through the mid-late '90s with a few current-era exceptions (these include Muse and various indie bands).
As to what I listen to while writing, generally there is no specific set of songs that I keep handy. The music in my computer library, which consists of tracks ripped from CDs as well as Internet downloads, is divided into three main playlists: there's the basic list with everything, an "Epic Music" playlist, which includes (nearly) all my classical pieces and film scores, and a "Rock'n'Roll+" listing, which includes all of my rock tracks and other, similar songs where vocals are a primary component. When writing, I tend to favor the Epic Music list, though if it's for a particularly interesting action scene I may switch over to Rock'n'Roll+ or even pick out a specific song and see what goes from there. The playlists are almost always on shuffle. GoodwoodDebating Society11,988 Edits 06:20, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
- On that note, I have Goodwood to thank for introducing me to Two Steps From Hell, which has quickly become one of my favorite composers for listening to while writing. Atarumaster88
(Talk page) 15:38, July 16, 2012 (UTC)
Discussion[]
Suggestion for next month: What sorts of philosophical, religious, or political themes, if any, do you let influence your writings or do you include in your writings? - Brandon Rhea(talk) 02:53, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
GoodwoodDebating Society11,988 Edits 06:21, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
- Third. Should be fun. Trak Nar Ramble on 10:12, July 13, 2012 (UTC)
- This is just another excuse to write more on these Fanfic pages than on TCO while trying to soak up all the attention just the length alone gets you, isn't it? <3 -Solus Talk to the Hand 22:24, July 13, 2012 (UTC)