music to write novels by

As I understand many other writing types do, I often gravitate to soundtracks when I put music on while I write. The absence of lyrics keeps the language processing centers of my brain free, and unlike proper classical music, soundtracks are written with the intention of staying in the background while you focus on something else instead of demanding your full attention.

One of my favorites is actually the soundtrack to a game I've never played, a cult favorite steampunk RPG from 2001 called Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. The composer's website seems to be down at the moment, but you can check out the cached version to read more about it. Basically, he drew on elements from medieval/Renaissance/early music for the motifs, but then scored it for string quartet, with a couple of tracks that incorporate percussion and synthesizer. It's really gorgeous and atmospheric, and also freely available to download, along with the entire score.

I highly recommend it, whether you're noveling or not this month.