[stylist] Musical inspiration when writing

[Sherry Gomes]

I do something similar. Before I start writing a story, I sit down and think
about my characters. For the main characters, I have a long list of
questions about them, what do they like to eat or drink? Do they watch TV?
Do they like movies? Do they drink alcohol? Do they smoke? How do they like
to dress? And one of those things is what type of music do they like? Of
course, there are other more internal things, about their personality,
motives, joys, sorrows, dreams, what drives them, but all of that goes into
my notes. For the music, I used to have to listen only to instrumental while
writing. I love to sing, and lyrics can distract me. But for the past few
years, I do have music on, and it's usually a playlist I've created on my
computer of the music that matters and speaks to my characters. And it isn't
always what necessarily speaks to me.



-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Semirhage via
stylist
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 4:21 AM
To: Writers' Division Mailing List
Cc: Semirhage
Subject: [stylist] Musical inspiration when writing

HI everyone. Just wanted to toss out a suggestion that may or may not be
useful to some of you out there. It's about how music can inspire us to move
through any writer's block and closer into the minds of our characters.
Music and writing are both huge parts of my life so those of you who feel
the same may relate to this. Often I'll hear a song and get the impression
that this or that character totally digs it or that type of music or like in
our own lives and music choices, the lyrics reflect something the character
is going through, totally saying it perfectly for them. When working with
these characters, it gets me closer to them and more into the zone as it
were, to make mix cds of the songs they like or songs that inspire me for
being open to them and in the mood to connect as it were. Recently I did a
full mix CD with my husband of all the songs that connect to a specific
group of characters we're working with and it's done wonders. Especially
helping me connect to one. So yeah, just wanted to share that. It's not a
new thing for me by far, but it's the first time we had an entire CD worth.
Most characters just have a song or two. LOL.
Sem
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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