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Shannon W Haynes's avatar

Music is essential! I use it much as you have described. My Table of Contents for my novel draft, Things That Can’t Be Broken, includes the playlist I used if you’re curious. I’m building a new playlist for the sequel.

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Neela 🌶️'s avatar

I like the idea of creating character playlists.

THANK YOU for saying 'Running up that Hill' isn't her best song! That song gets all the attention, but Kate Bush has so much depth beyond what TikTok discovered.

The last concert I went to was AC/DC a few months back in Pasadena.

Favorite concert - AC/DC 2008 NYC

Bucket-list concert?- Linkin Park 2014 NYC

Happy Thursday to you :)

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CB Mason | YA Dystopian+Sci-Fi's avatar

My husband’s band does several covers of AC/DC songs, so know every time I hear one of the tunes, I internally hear Kirk’s voice singing it 😆 (which I almost … *almost* like better).

My last live concert was Barry Manilow with my mom in July. It was her bucket list concert and I figured my last chance to see him perform. I could hardly believe the man is 83! He’s still got the moves! And the voice!

Thanks for sharing.

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Neela 🌶️'s avatar

That's a fun dynamic with your husband's band! And how amazing that you got to check Barry Manilow off your mom's bucket list. Did he play all the classics you were hoping to hear?

Happy weekend friend..

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CB Mason | YA Dystopian+Sci-Fi's avatar

Copacabana made the set list, as excepted. I was surprised by how many I did not recognize!

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Neela 🌶️'s avatar

They always throw in a few 'mystery' tracks just to keep us humble.

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Strawbridge's avatar

My favorite concerts were each by a guy named Paul-McCartney and Simon. Too close to call.

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CB Mason | YA Dystopian+Sci-Fi's avatar

Where did you get to see them perform? I listened to the Live at Central Park album so many times in college!

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Strawbridge's avatar

I saw McCartney in Memphis at the basketball stadium and Simon in Nashville at the Ryman. Yea I still listen to the old stuff and very little of the new.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I'm so glad my post inspired this one. It's interesting to consider how music affects us.

To answer your questions, I sit in silence a LOT! I need silence to work and to read with focus so I rarely have background music on.

As far as the last live music I've enjoyed, it was in New Orleans in 2019. Every doorway in the French Quarter leads to a new live stage it seems, and all of it is incredible!

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CB Mason | YA Dystopian+Sci-Fi's avatar

Inspiration is around all of us! What we read, what we hear, what we see, taste, feel. In Shattered, book one, the FMC’s mentor speak of “listening to the silence,” which speaks volumes as well!

New Orleans would be a wonderful place to explore live music! Some day I’ll get back there…

Thanks for being my inspiration!

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Larry Hogue's avatar

I can’t listen to anything with lyrics when I write. It’s mostly video game, TV, and movie soundtracks for me. https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/clinton-shorter-the-expanse-plus/pl.u-r2yBDEBTP7GPoe

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CB Mason | YA Dystopian+Sci-Fi's avatar

Yes, song lyrics can be distracting during the writing process. I too have to be careful — the more popular the song, the more I “hear” only the words. Your playlist has some epic, moody tunes! And I love that Kate Bush song has made your compilation! “Reaching Out” might be my second most favorite song of hers, also from the Sensual World album, the same as “This Woman’s Work.” Thanks for giving me more songs for writing!

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