Do you use music when you write?

Today on Go Teen Writers, we welcome YA author Laura Jackson, who has generously donated TWO copies of her book for us to giveaway! Details at the end of Laura’s lovely post.

After graduating with a BA in English and history (where she didn’t learn anything about that battle of New Orleans), she taught 7th grade language arts for eight years. That’s where she fell in love with YA books. Worth the Wait was released this month.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is credited as saying this:

Music is the universal language of mankind.

And it’s true. Music can often express thoughts and feelings the mind can’t.

So, how does it translate into writing?

Before I became a librarian, I taught 7^th grade language arts. I could teach my students how to write grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs, and essays. But, part of the state testing graded them on “voice,” which I couldn’t teach. No matter how perfect a sentence or story can be, if there’s no feeling or voice, the words fall flat to the reader.

Then, my co-worker (Christina Thibodeaux…have to give credit where it’s due) came up with an idea. Jammin’ Journals. Every Friday, we listened to music with the words and pictures flashing on the projector screen.

We listened to everything from Hannah Montana (yeah, before she started singing as Miley Cyrus) to The Beatles and everything in between.  Some discovered new genres they enjoyed. Some groaned when we broke out the instrumental. But, all wrote in response to the music.

And I was amazed. Kids who struggled to write a paragraph were asking for more paper. Kids who wrote grammatically correct but boring papers started to develop that “it” factor that sets a great writer apart from a good one.  

It took time, but those kids developed their voice through practice and music. Because music sparks something in us that can’t really be explained. It pulls out emotions we didn’t even know were buried inside of us.

When I’m writing a break-up or heartache scene, I go to Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift.

When my character in Worth the Wait was figuring out that God’s plan is worth the wait, I was listening to “Keep Making Me” by Sidewalk Prophets on repeat. (Great song if you’ve never heard it.)

For the story I’m working on now, the character is angry at everyone, including herself, so Skillet’s been playing a lot. Another character plays the piano, so I’m exploring some piano pieces. The music sets the tone for the scene or helps me get into the mind of a character.  

So, next time you’re stuck in a scene or trying to figure out a character, crank up the tunes. Maybe take a drive or a walk while you listen. 

But don’t just listen to music you like. What music would your character like? What sounds would play if that scene were in a movie. Listen to that and see where the emotion takes you.

I’d love to hear what music you’re listening to while you work on your current story! Leave a comment below to get entered to win one of two copies of Worth the Wait.