Ways to use music in your writing
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Some writers need complete silence. Some can’t write unless they listen to music. Music can create various moods.
I go back and forth – sometimes I listen to classical music as I am writing. Sometimes I use various songs in various scenes that help me get deep into the character’s head. Sometimes when I need to finish a book, I listen to fast music to keep me typing.
Here are ways music can help you in your writing:
Gets you started
Find a song that grounds you – one that makes you want to write. Sit in the chair and play that song when you are ready to type. For me – this is classical music. It calms me. Centers me. Helps me focus.
Tap into your emotions
Remember when you were sad, you used to listen to sad songs to help you let it all out. If you are feeling tapped or can’t seem to get that love scene right, maybe you can’t muster up enough inspiration for an action scene – try music. Pick a song that gets you feeling. Alice Peacock and Susan Tedescki does this for me. They have songs that just get to me every time. It may help you tap into those emotions that may be hard to reach on a daily basis.
Brainstorming ideas
Sometimes if I am in carpool or working around the house or running, music helps me brainstorm or process my book ideas. I think it comes down to what inspires you, what makes you feel a certain way, or what kind of book/scene you are processing/brainstorming. For me, I pick something like David Gray or Jason Miraz.
Moves you past writer’s block
Music might help you if you are struggling with writer's block. Various songs may just be the muse you need. If you need some action or excitement, try some fast pace songs. For me, this may be some popular pop songs like One Republic or Justin Timberlake.
Puts you in a mood for a scene/chapter
If I am writing a really big love scene, I may choose something that gets my heart beating. For me, this is Ed Sheeran. Or if I need something really sad, maybe Cat Powers or Adele. If I am writing an action scene, I may use a little Timbaland, Muse, or Eminem.
Gives you a book soundtrack
Combine all the songs that help you write various scenes and chapters. Now you have a playlist. This can be used to write daily or it can be an extra for your readers when your book comes out.
Do you write to music? If so – what kind? Do you have a favorite band/group/artist that you write to more than others?
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If I have music going it is Daft Punk, Mainly the TRON Legacy Soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I think instrumental music is great to have on in the background while you're writing from classical to movie soundtracks. Sometimes I get distracted when listening to songs with lyrics but you can really get your brain in the right frame of mind by listening to the right music while typing :-)
ReplyDeleteI love listening to music before I write. It really helps to inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI love music, but rarely listen to any when I'm trying to write, because I have a tendency to get too caught up in it. Next thing I'd know, I'd be "conducting," singing along, or "playing the drums" on my desk. (Yeah, I'm hopeless.)
ReplyDeleteYes I love writing to music. So much each project I'm working on has its own sound track. That said, I also have playlists of songs that make my muse sit on attention even though I can't pin down where the songs fit in.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I have separate playlists for Muse, Leonard Cohen and Loreena McKennitt.
I don't listen to music while I write, but I have a playlist for each story! Songs are associated to characters in my mind. Seven Deadly Sins by Flogging Molly is my main character. Dark Horse by Katy Perry is my novella's POV character.
ReplyDeleteI love music!
Great to have Shelli here today! Her work looks WONDERFUL. Great post---Music is what inspires me. I need it, but I can't write to it. Looks like I'm not alone in that :)
ReplyDeleteI'll either use music to block out sounds eg annoying neighbours, or I'll use music to evoke moods for my writing. I just can't listen to music with lyrics because I get distracted by the words.
ReplyDeleteI use classical, jazz, or film scores to write to. Music with lyrics will tend to get me distracted with the words, so I avoid rock.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to music...I'm watching the Twilight Zone right now whil I work. Not sure what that says about me!
ReplyDeleteI haven't listened to music while writing for awhile now. But I totally have songs that inspire me and make me think about my stories whenever I hear them. Which then makes me want to write, but, of course, I'm usually in the car when I hear them, so that doesn't work! =)
ReplyDeleteI can't have music on while I write. I'm easily distracted--even by instrumental music. :(
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to my favorite songs when I'm drafting and revising. And if there's a special theme to my manuscript, I find songs that match it.
ReplyDeletegreat advice for getting past a block!
ReplyDeleteand congratulations on book 3! it feels like yesterday when untraceable was coming out!
Thanks so much! It all depends on my mood :)
ReplyDelete