MUSE and muses

So I'm listening to the new Muse CD and wowza. I really love this band! I know many times artists (including authors) have what they call "muses." Do you have any? I have more than one, but a MAJOR one for me is music.

I love music. It can lift my mood. Or increase my anger. Or it can make me cry even harder than I already was. I know there are a lot of authors who can't listen to music while they're writing, and there are some who do. I am one who does. I absolutely must have music to write (if at all possible). I love finding the perfect song to fit the scene I am writing, to intensify the em0tions I'm feeling and trying to convey. I often see my books as movies unfolding in my mind, and the music is like a soundtrack for me. I listen to music with words and without. Songs from the radio and songs from soundtracks and songs from Pandora. (I adore Pandora!) Some of my favorites (and my list is super long, so this really is just a few off the top of my head) are Hans Zimmer, James Horner (the AVATAR soundtrack is amazing), MUSE (obviously!), Linkin' Park (their newer stuff especially), Frou Frou/Imogen Heap, Josh Groban... there are just too many! As you can tell, my taste encompasses nearly every kind of music there is - except for rap.

Do you write or edit to music? Can't stand it? Do you have a different "muse" entirely? Tell me what inspires you!