5 Soundtracks To Write By

Like most people, I find music incredibly inspiring and often use it to inspire me while writing. It's a tricky thing, though, finding just the right soundtrack for the write piece that you're working on. After all, John Williams' A New Hope soundtrack just won't work for, say, a romantic comedy that's not about geeks or a period piece about a family coming together after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (note to self - must write that book...)
Anyway, to help you all out, here are some of my favorite soundtracks to write by: click on the images for a taste on Youtube. If you love 'em, let me know in the comments below. And if you have any suggestions for me, be sure to leave a comment for me, too!

1. THE CHANGELING (1980)
For suspense and horror
Looking to infuse your book with a chilling dose of the supernatural? Want to create an atmosphere of terror and/or suspense? This soundtrack all the ambiance of  stone-cold, not-quite-deserted tomb from the first note and the following notes are tuneful, beautiful, and always nerve-wracking. (The movie is terrific as wall.) It's only available in limited quantities on CD, but you can find it on Youtube - click on the poster for a taste... if you dare!

2. WALK, DON'T RUN (1966)
For comedies, romantic and fun
For a complete change of tone, Cary Grant's last movie provides an excellent musical setting for anyone looking to write a laid back-comedy of error or of the heart. Quincy Jones' jazz-infused tracks drip with cheer, heart, and the pleasant feeling of warm sunny days. The movie is terrific as well!

3. KING KONG (2005)
For adventure and action
I'm not a total fan of the 2005 King Kong (I did adore Kong: Skull Island, another terrific soundtrack!), but the sound track by James Newton Howard is just perfect for an adventure scene. There are slow build ups, occasional beautiful and meditative tracks, but best of all are the jungle chase tracks - heart pounding and fast paces, all of these infused with an old-Hollywood type of sound. 

4. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)
For family drama, period pieces, and wistful romances
If you're looking for a gentle sound to set your period romance/slice of life family-drama/small-town story by, Patrick Doyle's Sense and Sensibility may just do the trick. Wistful and playful, meditative without being sad, beautiful and calm, it's perfect to play on a warm summer's day... or in the dead of winter, when you're day-dreaming about summer.

5. THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (2005)
For fantasy adventures
Bet you thought I was going to recommend Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings here, didn't you? While I love both, the music is so infused with the stories, I can't really find the space to create my own characters in their ambiance. LWW, however, creates a terrific atmosphere that mysterious and wondrous - and, well, Narnia will always be my first, best fantasy love. "For Narnia and for Aslan!"