This morning, while making my matcha, I got lost in the music playing in the background. It dawned on me that music isn’t just a delightful distraction—it’s a critical component of my writing toolkit.
My playlists are so eclectic that they switch genres faster than a squirrel on espresso. This musical mayhem helps me block out the overwhelming noises, especially with my ASD, so I just pop on a playlist and dive into writing.
The music creates a barrier between me and the external world, making it easier to focus on my thoughts and creativity without distractions.
When I’m writing in my journal, I usually pick songs with lyrics that delve into feelings, emotions, and strength—stuff that’s personal and deep. These tracks have a good beat and often take me back to past memories.
They help me process my thoughts and feelings, making journaling a meaningful experience. The music guides my pen as I explore my inner world, connecting past experiences with present emotions.
It’s like having a soundtrack to my life, where each song triggers a specific memory or feeling, helping me articulate my thoughts more clearly and honestly.
Poetry writing is a different beast. For that, I go for classical music without lyrics. The slow, calming music creates a peaceful vibe that lets me focus on the flow of words and emotions.
It helps me pay attention to the rhythm and structure of my poems without any distractions. This type of music also helps reduce stress, creating a tranquil space where I can craft beautiful lines.
The lack of lyrics allows my mind to wander freely, letting the natural cadence of the music inspire the meter and flow of my verses. It’s almost as if the music and the poetry are dancing together in perfect harmony.
And, let’s face it, who needs words when you’ve got violins doing all the talking?
When it comes to creative writing, I need something more upbeat. Heavy beats with emotional undertones and themes of empathy and humanity dominate my playlists.
I love listening to Native artists with their powerful drum beats, messages and calls to action like “We Are One” and pow wow songs. This kind of music keeps me motivated and adds rich cultural elements to my stories.
It helps me explore diverse themes and characters with energy and purpose. The dynamic rhythms and passionate vocals inject a sense of urgency and depth into my narratives, making the characters and plots more vivid and compelling.
Plus, nothing says “I’m ready to write” like a drumbeat that could wake the dead.
During coffee breaks, my playlist shifts to upbeat songs with positive lyrics. These songs set a productive tone and help me transition smoothly into writing.
They energize me, pushing away any fatigue and boosting my motivation. The lyrics reinforce a positive mindset, making it easier to tackle creative challenges.
This musical break helps maintain my focus and keep my spirits high throughout the day. It’s like a mini pep talk set to music, rejuvenating my mind and spirit, readying me for the next phase of writing.
The cheerful tunes act as a mental palate cleanser, resetting my thoughts and keeping my creativity fresh. After all, nothing pairs better with caffeine than a song that’s practically a hug in musical form.
Music also helps me stay focused while writing, becoming background noise that occasionally grabs my attention. These breaks often bring up memories from my teenage years, sparking new ideas and inspirations.
The familiar tunes are comforting and stimulating, enriching my writing with forgotten experiences and emotions. Music provides a mental reset, allowing me to approach my writing with renewed energy and fresh perspectives.
These moments of nostalgia are like creative springboards, launching me into new realms of imagination and storytelling. Each song serves as a reminder of who I am and where I’ve been, grounding my writing in personal truth and authenticity.
And who knew the chorus of a ’90s pop song could turn into an epic plot twist?
Thanks to modern technology, my playlists are always accessible on my phone and laptop. In moments of sudden inspiration, I’ve scribbled thoughts on a napkin until I can transfer them to a digital device.
It’s fascinating to realize how music has become integral in setting my mood, changing my emotional state, and enhancing my writing process. It’s an essential part of my creative toolkit, making writing sessions more enjoyable and effective.
The portability of music means I can carry my creative muse with me wherever I go, always ready to provide the perfect soundtrack for any writing endeavor. It’s amazing how something as simple as a song can transform the way I write, shaping my ideas and guiding my pen with its rhythm.
Music, in all its forms, has become woven into my writing journey, shaping and enriching my creative process in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated before. It underscores how interconnected sensory experiences and creative expression really are.
The melodies and rhythms have become more than just background noise—they are an intrinsic part of my storytelling, helping me to convey emotions and narratives with greater depth and authenticity.
Through music, I’ve found a way to bridge the gap between my inner world and the words on the page, making my writing a true reflection of my experiences and emotions.
When I am struck with an idea I have finally given in and have lists in many places, another thing I will write on a napkin until I can get it on a digital device.
And so, as I wrap up this entry, I realize that music is not just a companion but a co-author in my writing journey. It’s the unsung hero that turns my thoughts into words and my words into stories.
So here’s to the playlists that keep me sane, the beats that keep me going, and the melodies that make my writing sing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find that napkin with my latest idea before it ends up in the laundry.
I am still curious to hear how music impacts you though so I will be back. I promise and am eager to see what you say.
12 responses to “Writing with Music: How Melodies Shape My Creative Journey”
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I feel the same way! Music is such an important part of my writing process. I have about 845 songs that I listen to, and I am constantly adding to the list. I love all types of music: Classic rock, classical, opera, foreign music, (Especially French and Russian,) music from movies and video games, and so on. Also Lindsey Stirling, who plays the violin beautifully. As a violinist myself, I do appreciate some good violin music.
Most of my main characters have ‘theme songs’ that make me think of them, and I have playlists for all my projects. I think music can be very helpful to get you into the right mood for writing certain scenes, and for motivation. Wonderful post!-
Spotify is evil for how much music is at the tip of your fingers. Though I do adore Lindsay, her work is phenomenal. I like Pentatonix as well, they actually teamed up with her to come out with a fantastic piece. Meatloaf is a fun one to listen to when writing, the twists in their music can be intriguing and cause intriguing adventures for characters. Latest one is on a short story I was working on. Total rewrite cause of bat out of hell.
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Radioactive, I didn’t realize they did a second collaborative piece. I of course now have it on my morning wake up list when I listen to new music and decide where to place it lol probably end up in almost every list much like Radioactive has. I am giving it a first listen as I type this, and I like it. I got into Rammstein after one of those Big Shiny Tunes CDs, German music has some inspired some interesting villains and darker scenes just due to the way the vocals are. Only time I don’t have music going all the time is when I am reading, even then more then likely I have something playing.
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i got introduced to them in high school and they hit favorite in record time. another good group is volbeat.
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Listening to music is definitely a very important part of my writing process. It can really help set the mood for a scene, and it can be an excellent motivator as well! I have often been inspired by music to write new projects, or even to add a twist to a work in progress. I have over eight hundred music tracks, actually, which I shuffle between, and I have ‘theme songs’ for most of my main characters, and music for certain settings as well.
An excellent post!
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I actually have approve comment’s turned on due to some of the topics I write about. They have a habit of getting some nasty responses and I want to keep the website feeling welcome and safe. Keyboard warriors and bullies tend to have to much time to devote to negative comments instead of just moving on if they don’t like something lol
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no worries. i think we all have those days. i have had them and some days the internet likes to double post stuff anyway lol so you never know what is gonna happen or when with tech.
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