I don’t listen to music very often as I write, because I find it distracting–especially if there is singing in it. However, if I need inspiration or need to think about a scene before or as I write it, I will pop on some instrumental music. I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks and anime soundtracks, largely classical or classical-styled music, and that can really help put me in the mood for writing. Here are some of my go-to choices, and I hope YouTube doesn’t take them down at some point.

Fantasy village/town/ marketplace

“The First Town,” from Sword Art Online. Composed by Yuki Kajiura.

I absolutely love the duetting violins in this. It sounds gorgeous. The percussion is a bit more subtle but clearly sets a beat to the song that reminds me of the rhythm of walking through cobblestoned streets, looking at interesting things.

Tragedy strikes

“The Cloud Atlas Sextet for Orchestra,” from Cloud Atlas. Composed by Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek, Gene Pritsker, and Tom Tykwer.

This is one of the most beautiful orchestral compositions from a movie I’ve heard. While I really loved parts of Cloud Atlas, the movie didn’t always land for me. However, this song is gorgeous. I think it is kind of tragic sounding, with a few notes of hope here and there, but overall has a darker melody. I love this song.

Caves, mountains, and rocky hills, OR abandoned castles

“Dancing in the Rain.” The Tudors. Composed by Trevor Morris.

While the scene in the series pictures one of Henry VIII’s doomed queens dancing seductively in the rain, I think the woodwind instruments and crystalline sounds remind me more of stone. If the scene is in nature, it reminds me of exploring deep caves or walking through craggy mountains, or in a mostly green landscape with rocky terrain mixed through it. If the scene is not in nature, I think of the old stone that composed castles, except the castles are in ruins. This might be one of my weirder image choices.

Standing on a balcony looking at the stars with your romantic partner, and yes, you do kiss

“Lovers.” Diabolik Lovers. Composed by Yuki Hayashi.

I’ve only included an excerpt of this song, but it’s my favorite part of it. Not that the entire song isn’t good–it is–but the build up and then the lush strings coming in with a glorious harmony really makes my heart swell. This song was meant to be romantic, and I can’t picture it otherwise.

The Fae dancing on an autumn day

“Corn Yairds.” The Court of Leaves. Composed by Erutan.

I don’t know exactly what a corn yaird is, but Erutan captured autumn imagery perfectly in this song. I picture a spot in the forest, the leaves changing due to the season, with pumpkins and cornucopias and other fall foods and plants for decoration, and a gathering of Faeries dancing in rows to this music, their magic leading to a bountiful harvest.

Setting out in the early sunrise to take a small boat out onto the sea where the waves are crashing against the rocks

“Song of the Silkie.” Spirit of Ireland: A Musical Odyssey. Composed by David Arkenstone.

This song doesn’t always sound sea-like, but I think the drums and tin whistle are what gives an ocean vibe to this song. The strings just remind of a busy morning at port preparing to leave on the boat.

Hordes of armored knights riding out along green rolling hills for a long journey to fight a supernatural evil that will ultimately end in triumph

“The Lighting of the Beacons.” The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Composed by Howard Shore.

I remember seeing the beacons being lit in the movie theater and it was an incredible scene, made possible by the rapturous build of the orchestra as the audience journeyed through beautiful and dangerous landscapes while the torches lit the beacons–“Gondor calls for aid!!” While I will first always think of this scene in Lord of the Rings, it also makes a good soundtrack for other action sequences, too.

This song is really long so I started it at my favorite part–where the orchestra builds and builds. A euphoria almost comes from this when it hits the climax.

Being stalked by a monster who is copying your every move in the darkness

“Weird Place.” Sword Art Online. Composed by Yuki Kajiura.

We’ve got another one from SAO. To be honest, the whole soundtrack works perfectly for an epic fantasy novel, but I have very specific songs that help me with writing and prewriting. This one, I feel, is tense and mysterious, and I get the vibe that something is watching me in the shadows.

Taking a carriage or coach ride through the mysterious moors at a medium to fast pace, with beautiful but sparse scenery and a misty atmosphere

“End Credits.” Far from the Madding Crowd. Composed by Craig Armstrong.

꧁⎝ 𓆩༺✧༻𓆪 ⎠꧂

I wonder if you are able to picture the same things I can picture when I listen to these songs! I think all of them are atmospheric and incredibly beautiful, and when I hear them play, I can picture specific scenes that help inspire me to write.

What music do you use to inspire you? Let me know in the comments!