Weaving Songs Into Your Scenes

If you ever experience writer's bloc, here's a suggestion: turn on the radio. Story ideas are woven into each song you listen to. Not only should you listen to the song, but read the lyrics as well. Think about why the song was written, what's it about, the message, etc. For example, if you're an aspiring author trying to come up with a few story ideas, listen to Christian music. Each Christian song relays a theme that could go along with the story you are trying to write. If you're writing for the young adult genre, listen to songs written by a teenager. Think about what he/she is struggling with in this song. A breakup? A crush? Songs are much like books. They each have a story and/or message to tell. Songs can be inspired by books, and books can be inspired by songs. That's the cool thing. The stories authors write are the long, more detailed versions of songs. Find your novel's theme song and begin to write!

Music not only is a great tool for writer's bloc, but can also help with setting the tone for each of your scenes. Every movie has a soundtrack, and certain songs are played during certain parts of the story. A sad song wouldn't be played in the background during a fun scene, would it? The reason songs are added into specific scenes is to help set the mood that the writer wants the audience to feel. It's obviously not possible for authors to have songs play during certain parts of their books, so it's a little more difficult for us to set the tone of a scene. We can only use words to help our readers experience certain emotions.

If you plan ahead in your novel, write out each scenes (or the scenes that you have in your head so far) and choose a song that you will listen to while writing these parts in your story. That way the mood of the song can help direct the mood of your writing. Then, after you have finished writing that chapter, turn off the music and read back over the scene. Put yourself in your reader's shoes. Did you relay the emotions through your writing that you want your reader to feel? If not, go back and keep rewriting until your specific tone has been set!

Here are a list of artists and bands I like to listen to while brainstorming and writing certain scenes. If you're still trying to find a novel idea, choose a song. Listen and read the lyrics. Ask questions.

Lifehouse: www.myspace.com/lifehouse
Mat Kearney: www.myspace.com/matkearney
Tenth Avenue North: www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth
Jonny Diaz: www.myspace.com/jonnydiaz
Seabird: www.myspace.com/seabird
Taylor Swift: www.myspace.com/taylorswift
Jimmy Needham: www.myspace.com/jimmyneedham
Ruth: www.myspace.com/ruthrock
Switchfoot: www.myspace.com/switchfoot
Bebo Norman: www.myspace.com/bebonorman
Demi Lovato: www.myspace.com/demilovato
Matthew West: www.myspace.com/matthewwest
Matt Nathanson: www.myspace.com/mattnathanson
Edwin McCain: www.myspace.com/edwinmccain
Serving6: www.myspace.com/serving6

Have fun creating your story's soundtrack! :)

(Update -- I was interviewed by Lauren Anne at Beside Quiet Waters.)