Well, as most of you know, I’ve been on medical leave now for what feels like forever, but, when I sit at my computer do to a bit of writing I ask ‘Alexa’ to play me some heavy metal, hard rock, classic rock, alternative rock, blues, country or even some classical channels depending on the tone I want to set.

The beats and lyrics help me focus my energy and formulate the thoughts floating around in my mind into coherent sentences, setting the mood of the piece. If I’m looking for edgy with angst, I listen to alternative. When the characters in my head are looking for a fight, it’s heavy metal all the way.

Country music can be for reconciliation or a breakup; it can work both ways, as does hard rock and classic rock. Although hard rock is more my general go-to, it helps me find my inner peace and let all thoughts organize themselves in a semblance of order. Blues is for all the sadness, and classical is for everything in between.

My process is convoluted, but it works for me.