March 2005

Music equals emotions. Emotions equal writing. True or not true? When it comes to writing, emotions play a big part, at least if we don’t want to bore our readers to tears, right? What if you are in the mood for writing, but the emotions are a bit on the tame side? Alternatively, what if you know you have to write, but you just can’t find the inspiration.

One place to look to is your radio, record player, tape deck, CD player…anything that makes music.

Ah, but now what kind of music do you play? If you aren’t careful with your music selection, it may show unexpectedly in your writing.

Imagine this, you want to write something that is comedic, so you put on some music. You sit down to write, and you discover that you put on a tear inducing ballad. Only instead of being comedic in your writing, you write something that brings tears to the eyes. Maybe you want to put a tender love scene. You put on some soul crashing heavy metal. You head bang your way through the writing, only to discover that your tender love scene has turned a bit wild.

What you listen to can and will influence your writing, so when seeking to help find that emotion to embed it into your writing, choose your music carefully.

There is a wide variety of music out there, for example in just one genre; there is at least one song for every emotion. Then there are those that hit specific emotions.

In country music, you have your “She done me wrong” songs, your “I may be low class, but I’m proud of it” songs. Your, "Stand up and kick some…rear” songs. The “Stand up and cheer” songs. These are just a few examples just out of country. There are the Golden Oldies, Big Band, Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, Ska, Metal, Heavy Metal…and don’t forget Classical. Ah, I hear the groans now…classical. Yes, classical can hit every single emotion. It can sooth, it can get the blood pumping in excitement…it can even enrage. Just like all of the other genres. Oh and don’t forget that every decade has a different flair to its music as well. Even something as simple as a drumbeat can put different emotions in your heart.

However, there is the problem of what if you don’t like to listen to music while you are writing? Well, why let that stop you? You can set aside a certain amount of time to listen to different music before you shut it off and begin writing.

Personally I prefer to have some sort of sound, Some of my favorite music to listen to while writing…drum beats, Classical, Nightwish, 80’s rock; We Will Rock You, Low Rider, Love Shack, etc. The list could go on for pages if I let it! When I don’t want to listen to the music while writing, but I know I need a push in the right direction with the writing, I turn the music on before, and off while writing.

When you need a mood change, how often have you reached for music to do it? You don’t have to be a music expert to use music to change your moods. All of the muses of music all agree they forgot to imbue me with that particular gift! All you have to have is an open mind, and the willingness to let the music influence you.

The music can lead your heart to the proper mood. The proper mood will lead your mind to the right path. Your mind will guide your hands to writing the right words for your piece.

They all play together, and they all work together. Music is a gift to the writer, one that we should employ more often.

Happy writing!