Alive, but WordPress ate my words

I had been writing out a fairly long ramble on the effect of music and rhythm in my writing, and then WordPress decided it was hungry and gobbled up my words, every single one of them, the poor dears. I was quite upset, and I’m upset enough not to want to even try recreating what I was talking about in the aforementioned dearly departed entry.

However, I will continue to ask: if you listen to music while writing (creative fiction/nonfiction), what is it? I personally gravitate towards the music of Loreena McKennitt when I’m writing, most especially The Lady of Shallott (from her album The Visit) and The Highwayman (from The Book of Secrets). I don’t think it’s a coincidence that those songs are based from beautiful, heart-wrenching poems, but yes. I’m curious as to what everyone else listens to; and maybe to also get a few recommendations as to what other artists or albums I should try. My friend Caroline led me to Joni Mitchell, and I think her Song to a Seagull is precious; and it’s opened my eyes that, zomg, there must be more writing music out there!

Lastly, I know there are some who read poetry before writing, sort of to stimulate the mind and ready it for writing because actually plunging in. I think is is especially useful for me, as I tend to pick up rhythm and style from what I read, and it goes out into my writing (this happens very frequently with Jane Eyre–after reading it for just a few hours, I end up writing like Charlotte Bronte for days, if I don’t realize it before and correct myself). If anyone else does this, care to share which poets always brings out the writer in you?

Additionally, this is shameless pimpage of my new Vox account–you may now find me there under the very shocking username of angelamaria. I’m still debating whether to treat it as a book log (because it can be! omgsquee!), but I feel like I’d be then ignoring all its other strengths, so I am totally unsure. I can always have my book log/review thing here, as I’ve always, always had it in my head to put one up.