Background Music

Saundra Julian · Sep 27, 2006

You know what's missing in novels and even real life? The background music... We paint pictures with our words but the music is still missing!

Edited to say... "What the hell does that mean, Saundra?"
"I don't know, it just popped into my head!"

scarletpeaches · Sep 27, 2006

I have voices in my head, so I'm okay.

You know what I do? I burn soundtrack CDs for my beta readers with a label that says "Song title, Artist, Chapter ??" so they know when to listen to it.

Oops, I said that out loud didn't I?

PeeDee · Sep 27, 2006

Poor beta readers. They're a long suffering crowd. What I do with my beta readers is 1) Send them my manuscript 2) Send them a note that says, "Hope you don't hate it." 3) Wait.

You crazy kids.

As for music.....I'm not quite sure what you meant, actually. Sorry.

scarletpeaches · Sep 27, 2006

Some of my beta readers are real people.

PeeDee · Sep 27, 2006

That's it. You're not allowed to post anymore until you're de-medicated...

scarletpeaches · Sep 27, 2006

DE-medicated? Wouldn't that be dangerous? Do you ENJOY seeing someone's personality(-ies) splinter in public?

I. Will. Not. Derail. This. Thread.

"Reality used to be a friend of mine."

With that, I bid you all good evening. I'm off home to print out some more submissions. Come to my book launch!

Adieu.

SeanDSchaffer · Sep 27, 2006

Saundra, do you mean, like, the background music in a movie? It does kind of add something good to the story....if the music is any good.

Cue: Charles H. Schneer's Production of Mysterious Island by Jules Verne.

Ugh!

Becky Writes · Sep 27, 2006

I know what you mean.

I was watching my husband play some shoot'em up game in PS2, and I made the comment that life would be easier if we had background music -- so you would know when danger was approaching, or if everything is just a-ok.

Maybe I need de-medicated too,

PeeDee · Sep 27, 2006

Becky Writes said:
I know what you mean.
I was watching my husband play some shoot'em up game in PS2, and I made the comment that life would be easier if we had background music -- so you would know when danger was approaching, or if everything is just a-ok.
Maybe I need de-medicated too,

"Quiet, guys, the boss is coming! I hear the Imperial March two aisles down."

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 27, 2006

Do you mean like incidental music that YOU are the writer or reader listen to while reading? Or do you mean mentioning music that the characters are listening to as clues to their age or social environment?

I always put song titles in my stories because my characters, just like me, are always listening to music.

Saundra Julian · Sep 27, 2006

Background music as in a movie...it would make everything so much easier to discern and much more exciting!

Think of the eerie music before the monster gets you…now, that could come in real handy. A definite signal to run like hell!

CaroGirl · Sep 27, 2006

Unfortunately, I'm more Remains of the Day than Tomb Raider, so I don't suppose it would really do me much good.

And I never listen to music while I write. I truly value silence. Especially while my kids are at school because they aren't at that quiet, sullen teenage stage yet. They're still in the make-noise-until-mom's-ears-bleed stage. You all know it.

Becky Writes · Sep 27, 2006

PeeDee said:
"Quiet, guys, the boss is coming! I hear the Imperial March two aisles down."

Would't that be better than being surprised?

Just think, if I had the background music whenever I was standing out in my dark driveway in just my bra and panties ( and high heels, of course) and I heard the creepy killer music, I might could get away beofre Jason or Freddy gets me.

Right?

JackieA · Sep 27, 2006

scarletpeaches said:
I burn soundtrack CDs for my beta readers ...

PeeDee said:
What I do with my beta readers is 1) Send them my manuscript 2) Send them a note that says, "Hope you don't hate it." 3) Wait.

How did you find/aquire your beta readers?

JackieA · Sep 27, 2006

Apologies, just realised I doule posted the above message

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 27, 2006

Saundra Julian said:
Background music as in a movie...it would make everything so much easier to discern and much more exciting!

Think of the eerie music before the monster gets you…now, that could come in real handy. A definite signal to run like hell!

It's a book, though, not a movie. Not sure how you'd cue up music for the reader, especially considering how we all read at different speeds. The exciting chase scene music might be playing while you're reading it, but I'm so slow, I'll still be in the love scene wondering why the music is going so fast.

Saundra Julian · Sep 27, 2006

LOL, Farret..could be a "racy" love scene!

ChaosTitan · Sep 27, 2006

I feel that way sometimes, too, Saundra. I love music. The only way some of my favorite novels acquire a soundtrack is when someone makes a movie out of them.

If I notice music during a movie, it's too loud or wrong. If I realize after the film is over that I just loved the score, then it was done right.

I have individual playlists on Rhapsody for many of my WIP's and finished novels. There are even specific songs that I can hear "playing" when rereading scenes (like Evanescence's "My Immortal" during a pivotal character death).

jpserra · Sep 28, 2006

Theme Music

I use music to inspire me. Just because I feel a certain way when I hear a piece of music, does not mean the reader will; but he/she will feel the drama in the writing.

The book or story is not set to music, only used as a muse to evoke!

Gemsong · Sep 29, 2006

I use music to inspire me. Instrumentals only. Otherwise I end up typing in the lyrics.

I often use movie soundtracks if I'm looking for a specific energy or flavor. Or I'll do a mix from different movies. I put it on a loop and type my little heart out.

Even if it's unmitigated moose poo.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 29, 2006

Gemsong said:
I use music to inspire me. Instrumentals only. Otherwise I end up typing in the lyrics.

Really? You can understand the lyrics?

Saundra Julian · Sep 29, 2006

She crept into the room..dum,dum, dummm! The monster moved into the shadows...dum, dum!!

Naw, that won't work...

SeanDSchaffer · Sep 29, 2006

Saundra Julian said:
She crept into the room..dum,dum, dummm! The monster moved into the shadows...dum, dum!!

Naw, that won't work...

Not unless you are calling the reader 'dum-dum'. You could be the next Great Gazoo.

I don't know which is worse: calling the reader 'dum-dum', or insinuating that they are Fred Flintstone.

Saundra Julian · Sep 29, 2006

Silly Sean, that was music for my book! Don't you know Beethoven’s Fifth when you hear it?

SeanDSchaffer · Sep 29, 2006

You mean they made another Beethoven movie?

Yeah, I knew it was music for your book. I was just being silly. Haven't had my coffee yet and I'm trying to wake up.

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