Music is an amazing thing. It lives on, often in the background, as a soundtrack to our lives. I’ve always loved listening to music and still have a massive CD collection from pre-mp3 days. When I started writing, however, something interesting happened. Some songs started to spark story ideas for me. And when music isn’t inspiring new ideas, often it will put me in the frame of mind to write. I can’t actually write while music is playing – I get too wrapped up in the lyrics of a song, which distracts me from my own writing. I do, though, often listen to various playlists I’ve created to help set the mood for me before I write.
What follows are thirteen songs that either put me in the mood to write, have inspired stories I’ve written, or demand that I write a story for them.
I’m Still Searching – Glass Tiger
I actually did write a story inspired from this song. It was posted on the internet back when I was treating writing as a hobby (i.e., when my twin daughters were young and I could barely think straight, let alone attempt to pursue writing for publication.) *
If We Ever Meet Again – Timbaland
I had a very strong reaction to this song when I first heard it. The basic plot for a new book came to me pretty much fully formed right away. I have other writing projects I need to finish first, though, before I can even think about writing it.
Paralyzer – Finger Eleven
This song is the theme song for my favorite couple from another story I wrote and posted online. I’m seriously considering revamping it and rewriting it as a traditional book.*
The Enemy – Godsmack
Anyone who’s known me in the past would be very surprised to find Godsmack (or Hinder) on my list. I was an 80’s new wave kinda girl. When I started writing, however, something strange happened. Songs I never would have listened to in the past started to grab me by the throat. It’s all about the lyrics and the story a song paints. This one … well, I can’t share too much right now, but I really hope I have the chance to write the book that goes along with this song.
Serenity – Godsmack
I was already writing my current novel (it’s finished and I’m editing it now) when I heard my husband play this song. I remember sitting there, stunned. It is absolutely perfect as a theme song for my current book.
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
This song is also a theme song of sorts for my current novel.
Heaven Sent – Hinder
“Heaven Sent” is the perfect soundtrack for a romance novel. It’s a “hey, I’ve known you all my life but I’ve only just realized you’re amazing and I think I love you” song. Hinder has become one of my favorite bands because of the emotion in their lyrics. They may be bad-boy rockers, which isn’t really my thing, but I can overlook that and appreciate the brilliance of their song writing.
Thing for You – Hinder
The raw emotion in this song really gets to me.
Can’t Breathe – Dido
I know there was already an excellent television show that used this song as its theme song (Roswell). I loved that show, but when I hear this song all I can think about is the story I really want to write that draws on the song’s emotions.
Summer Lovin’ – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John
Good girl meets bad boy. Need I say more?
Love Song (Acoustic) – The Cure
The acoustic version of The Cure’s “Love Song” haunts me. Listen to it and tell me if it doesn’t evoke the image of a tortured romance hero.
Whataya Want From Me – Adam Lambert
Another tortured hero song that makes me itch to write every time I hear it.
Bring Me To Life – Evanescence
The story I have in mind for this song is a paranormal one.
And there you have it, thirteen songs that either make me itch to open up a new document and start working on a new project, or that put me in the proper head space to help me work on my current WIPs. I’d love to hear what song/s do the same for you.
*I mention that I’ve posted a few stories online. Those stories are no longer available (although I have no idea if anyone who read them bothered to save a copy.) I thought long and hard about whether I wanted them to stand as is, but in the end decided that I wasn’t comfortable with those stories floating around out there. They were stories that I wrote and posted, serial style, and were, in essence, first drafts. Since my goal is to become a professional author, I want the stories that I make available to be as polished as I can make them. I will probably offer free stories again at some point, and when I do I promise they won’t be first drafts.
