Musical Inspiration
Inspiration comes in many forms and impacts everyone differently. Music has always been my stimulus and over the years I’ve come to appreciate many genres. I usually find myself gravitating toward something specific depending on mood or until I burn myself out on it for a while. In particular, I enjoy songs that tell a story or require some thought beyond what the modern music industry churns out.
Most music these days is meant to be enjoyed one day, replaced with something shinier the next, and carries the shelf life of lukewarm milk. But I digress. Whatever floats your boat. For me, music should do more than entertain—it should inspire.
A similar thing could be said for writing, for though entertaining your reader should be a primary focus, it doesn’t hurt to provide moments that evoke other emotions beyond just a serotonin fix. Action and adventure novels should give the reader a sense of excitement and edge of your seat anticipation. Horror should leave the reader with a sense of dread with each turn of the page. Fantasy is all about taking the reader into a world beyond the mundane.
Escapism is a good thing, especially considering the world outside the door for the average everyday Joe. In that regard, I believe Tolkien stated it best.
“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” -J.R.R. Tolkien
Speaking of the “Everyday Joe.” Much of my reasoning for writing in a serial-adventure style with the Valengetrix series is simply because I wanted to write for readers like myself. Those with busy schedules, families and priorities who just want to lounge back after a long work week with a cold beer and a book that doesn’t require them to devote a solid month of dedication to finish.
I wrote Valengetrix because it’s something that I would enjoy reading myself. And since I have a full time job and a life outside the world I’ve created in my head, writing for me is still a part time gig. Maybe one day it’ll be my main focus but right now I enjoy writing and reading stuff that’s easy to digest with my hectic life and time constraints.
Much like the pulp fiction of yesteryear, my work is geared toward the common man seeking a reprieve from the soul-crushing 9-5 hamster wheel. A good book or a good song can be just the right prescription for the compulsory wage grind.
That being said, some of my favorites for inspiration for writing or an escape from the every day are as follows:
Manowar (Obvious for its Sword & Sorcery themes and high adrenaline riffs)
Visigoth (Sword & Sorcery power metal with a D&D feel)
Antti Martikainen (Soundtrack music with folk metal and medieval themes)
Loviatar (Dark, somber metal with an atmospheric element)
Danheim (Norse folk metal with some killer drum beats)
Black Sabbath (No explanation needed :D )
There are certainly others but these have been the most influential to me and my writing. If you have suggestions or wish to share your inspirations please leave a comment below as I look forward to hearing from you. And on that note, I wanted to leave you with the song that nearly single-handedly inspired the last chapter of Book 2, “The Good King’s War Part 1. Enjoy!