“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music that words make.” Truman Capote
What do you do when the poetic alliteration and lyrical linking of your words isn’t making music? You listen to music, of course.
Gone are the days of being yoked to home by record players and bulky sound systems. Thanks to matchbook-sized devices such as iPods and MP3 players, we now can listen to music anytime, anywhere.
Due to the portability of these devices, we create a playlist for almost every activity: the gym, long car rides, romantic evenings, and celebrations. Playlists work because they give direction to our emotions. So it’s logical that we would feel inclined to compile a list of music to fit particular situations.
The incorporation of music into our daily life makes sense. Music inspires us, calms us, brings us joy and peace, creates memories for us, and sharpens our attentiveness. Music activates, stimulates and relaxes the mind and body, which causes us to react and feel a particular way depending on the song. Music also sets a mood and tone. It conveys emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It conjures images.
Music helps our creativity.
Music allows us to daydream. It is then that we can let go, unlocking our ideas, which is necessary in the development of any creative work.
I find this particularly true with writing. When writing, I listen to music that has a similar tone, emotion and feeling to what I am creating.
For me, music forms a creative cocoon in which I can envelop myself. I believe that artistry breeds artistry. When I listen to inspired lyrics set to beautiful music, I am able to cultivate the imaginativeness for my own use, overcoming writing blocks and generating ideas.
So, consider a writing playlist to spark YOUR creativity.
The following songs are a great place to start.
“But the Days and Nights are Long”
Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors
One playlist doesn’t fit every writer or piece of work so please feel free to suggest your songs.
Thank you for reading. I’m excited to hear what you think.
Sherry Parnell 
It’s a great idea. Actually there is a song out at the moment that describes a scene I wrote so precisely that its almost scary.
Wow!That is strange,Barb. What type of scene and what song?
It’s a dance scene in my romance yet to come out. If I was clever I would work out a way to get itinto a clip but there is all the copyright confusion and I am techno challenged. (lol)
That’s okay 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I am happy to know that you find music inspirational as well. I hope you check out some of these.