We all have them.  In Greek mythology, Muse was a goddess inspiring writers and poets.  Today, we use the word to reflect a heightened state of thought, absorbed in the moment – ponder.

When I’m writing, I don’t need but I prefer to have instrumentals quietly filling the ether around me.  I’m partial to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  But that is the limit of my classical interest.  From there I go straight to soundtracks.  Because I write Historical Fantasy, music that is rousing is always helpful.  Anything from 13th Warrior, Gladiator, the Mummy or 300 serves me well.  But sometimes I also require good old fashion cheer.  I can find that sort of inspiration in Erich Korngold’s soundtracks from the 30s.  If I need melancholy, Ennio Morricone’s The Mission fills that gap.

But there is one more arena of music that serves as a muse for me and that is guitar instrumentals, as well as certain rock band instrumentals.  Nightwish often releases instrumental versions of their albums and these are very inspiring to write by.