the key of sea | Tuesdays with Laurie

I adore my writing studio at home. It’s bright, sunny, and there are lots of beautiful trees, flowers, and shrubs to look at through the five large windows that comprise two of the walls.

But on those occasions when you need to get away, you don’t want to be found, sidled up to, interrupted, or chatted with…

I’ve found a spot that’s even better than the public library (you might be recognized there). Go to the law library at your local college or university. In Boise, we have the College of Law—University of Idaho.

Everyone in the study area of a law library is working against deadlines. They’re much too busy even to look up. You can hear a pin drop. It’s a writer’s paradise!

If you enjoy a bit of background noise, merely pop your earbuds in and listen to your favorite writing music. Several years ago I posted a playlist for writers. It’s called The Key of Sea and can be found by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/y6w7kenr.

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” —Andrew Carnegie

When you need to hide out, where do you go?

I’m often asked about the details of my preferred writing environment — the setting, the ambiance. I’m a bare bones writer who enjoys solitude and appreciates nothing more on my desk than a laptop and a tea light — my six-hour “contract” to show up, stay put, and write.

To avoid diversion, I turn off my cell phone and limit my writing screen to two ingredients: a white page and a black background.

My desk is situated by a window that overlooks a well-seasoned, rugged oak tree in our front yard. When there are noise distractions outside, I put on headphones, turn the volume low, and listen to instrumental music.

For me, the essential element for music to write by is that it must transport me to the ocean:

I want to hear the seagulls screeching overhead and waves crashing on the shore.
I want to taste the salt in the air and dig my toes in the sand.
I want to squint from the brilliant shimmer of sun glancing off the waves.
I want the sea breeze to ruffle my hair as it carries the briny smell of seaweed.

: Encinitas, CA

With this in mind, I created The Key of Sea — a music playlist to write by. Even though I’ve listed specific tracks below, all of the recordings on each album are transportive. Bon voyage!

: Nova Scotia

Album – Ocean Dreams

Artist – Dean Evenson

Track – Lightly Salted

: Whale Point, Eleuthera Island — Bahamas

Album – Earth Spring

Artists – Frank Smith & Kat Epple

Track – The Open Sea

: Bellingham Bay, WA

Album – Ocean Waves

Artist – Deuter

Track – Théoule-Sur-Mer

: Coronado Island

Album – The Property of Water

Artist – Paul Adams

Track – The Serene Dance of Thunder

: Footsie on the Beach

Album – Simply Beautiful

Artist – Nadama

Track – Whale Song

: Aberdeen, Scotland

Where do you want your music to transport you?

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: the key of sea

Perfect Hideaway

The Key of Sea – A Music Playlist to Write By