Tuesday, March 9, 2010

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.)

9 comments:

  1. That's an awesome idea. I think I'll have to try that out. The biggest theme in my current WIP is bitterness/forgiveness, so I'll have to find a song that fits :)

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  2. That is a really good idea! I'll have to try that some time.

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  3. Excellent idea and blog!!

    http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com

    Frank

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  4. Music forms a central theme of a novel I've just had published and it was golden to me during times of extreme block during the writing process.

    I listened to a lot of classical guitar and I found that it really fired my imagination - allowed me to brainstorm like a freight train and it delivered me to the completion of my project fairly quickly.

    This is a great article.

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  5. Dean: I think that's so neat how music somehow makes it easier for words to flow. Thanks for the comment. :)

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  6. HEY TESSA, LOVELY NAME.............
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    PLS BE MY BLOG'S REGULAR READER..I'LL REALLY BE VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU...
    IT WILL REALLY HELP ME TO IMPROVE MY WRITINGS...

    HTTP://MYSHILPIFUN.BLOG.CO.IN

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  7. I do this too! I LOVE, LOVE SWITCHFOOT! Have for years. I had first seen this post on my iphone and only just got back to it and hadn't seen your list of recommendations, that is awesome. And then I saw they were on here, that makes me smile! :) Happy writing (& listening!) slk

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  8. Wonderful idea! Songs often inspire what I write. I just can't help it. Music is in my blood. It moves me. It makes me think. It inspires me. It lifts me up. A lot of great bands that you suggested, too.

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  9. Tessa,

    Hey, I answered your comment on my blog and decided to check yours out. Wow! fellow writer! :) Those are always fun, especially fellow writers that are serious about their characters/writing :) I am going to keep up with your blog. I've enjoyed going through all these posts! :D

    Ithilwen...

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Thanks for stopping by my blog!