I apologize for missing my usual Thursday 9 a.m. Eastern posting time. Still trying to get adjusted from holiday hours. However, I’ve been thinking a bit about music lately and how it inspires me. I try to play instrumental music when writing and editing because singing involves words, which clogs up my speech processing. Today, as it’s a Friday and we all might not be in heavy-thinking mode yet, I’ll share some of the pieces of music that I enjoy to keep myself writing happily.

I am a big fan of “heroic” music. I would characterize this type of music as bold, upbeat, usually up-tempo, and often in some major chord. I wish I understood music better to give you a better feel for what I mean. Anyhow, the point of listening to such “heroic” music while I write is to get and keep me motivated. It’s go-get-’em-tiger music, right?

As I am also a science fiction fan, two of my favorite SF movie composers have been James Horner and, of course, John Williams. Sometimes I like complete albums, sometimes individual pieces of music. I’ve also found bits of classical music that keep me motivated and humming along when I’m writing.

Soundtracks

John Williams

The Boston Pops: Out of This World
   “Battlestar: Galactica Main Title”
   “Star Trek: The Motion Picture Main Title”
Indiana Jones: The Soundtracks Collection
   “Raiders March”
“Desert Chase”
“Slave Children’s Crusade”
Star Wars: A New Hope, Disc 2 
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
   “Main Title and Attack on Coruscant”
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Disc 2
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   “Rey’s Theme”
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
   “Duel of the Fates”
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Disc 1
   “The Pit of Carkoon/Sail Barge Assault”
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Disc 2
   “Parade of the Ewoks”
“The Battle of Endor I”
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
   “Anakin Vs. Obi-wan”
Superman: The Movie (1978)
Theme from Superman (Concert Theme)

James Horner

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
“Enterprise Clears Moorings”
“Battle in the Mutara Nebula”
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Others

1812 Overture, Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky
Don Giovanni, Wolfgang A. Mozart
   “Don Giovanni, a Cenar Teco”
Gladiator Soundtrack, Yvonne S. Moriarty & Gavin Greenaway
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack, Howard Shore
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Soundtrack, Howard Shore
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Soundtrack, Howard Shore
The Marriage of Figaro, Wolfgang A. Mozart
The Planets, Gustav Holst
Requiem in D Minor (K.626), Wolfgang A. Mozart
“Tuba Mirum”
“Confutatis”
The Right Stuff Main Title, Bill Conti
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Main Title, Dennis McCarthy
Star Trek: Voyager Main Title, Jerry Goldsmith
Star Wars: Rogue One Soundtrack, Michael Giacchino

What music inspires you?