This semester I am taking a special topics course called From Page to Stage: Writing & Performing Poetry. It’s a course where we will be writing poetry and learning to perform it with and without the accompaniment of music. Our first two assignments in this class have been to listen to two pieces of music, be inspired by them, and then write what comes to mind. I’ve found these assignments to be pretty easy because I have an easy time visualizing things, especially when I’m inspired, but what blew me away is how differently everyone in the class was inspired. Each of came up with completely different ideas and it amazed me just how differently we all took in the music and were inspired by it.
This led me to thinking about music and just how much it can inspire a person’s writing. I’ve read books where at the end the author put in the list of songs they listened to while writing the book or any specific song that inspired a specific scene. Some authors get titles or even lines of their books from music, and sometimes it happens reverse (Think Metallica For Whom the Bell Tolls which is also the title of a Hemingway novel).
I do listen to a lot of music, but it never really hit me just how much it inspires me and motivates me as not only a writer, but a person too. Music, just like a great novel, can stay with you for the rest of your life, so in my opinion, there really isn’t that big of a difference between music and books! The two actually seem to go hand-in-hand.
So my question for all of you is how do you use music to inspire your writing? And what kind of music do you find most effective to listen when you write? Or what is your favorite genre of music to listen to when you write? I’m interested to see all your responses and if you’re interested I’ll post a list of some of my favorite songs to listen to while I write!
mythoughtsonwritingandreading 
I was just commenting elsewhere it’s difficult for me to describe my musical taste. I usually wind up just showing people my playlist. Since you asked…allow me to leave behind a post link where I tackled the very question you posed…these are the sounds that I oft listen to when typing away in my creative mode. Look forward to seeing a similar post from you down the road!
https://lifeattitudes.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/whatcha-listening-to-these-days/
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Wow your playlist is really interesting! I was excited to see Panic! At The Disco on there because I’m a huge fan of their music (I’ve been playing their new album nonstop)! And I also happen to like Coldplay, so it was cool to see them on there as well. But thank you so much for sharing this with me! It’s always interesting to see what music inspires other people 🙂
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Michelle, looking forward to learning more about your musical interests…and thanks for the follows on both sites! Bruce B.
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Music is inspiring. Period. When I use music in my classroom, the children’s paintings and art are richer, more detailed. It’s a beautiful thing. My children like Beethoven and the Supremes. Bravo to your teacher! I’d love to be taking that course, too.
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It is a really interesting course. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, but it has already become one of my favorite courses that I’ve ever taken! I bet your kids come up with some awesome paintings. I think it’s really awesome that you use music in the classroom to inspire your students work 🙂
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Thanks, Michelle. My class has an art show for the whole community in April. This year we will learn about France and the art of Monet, Picasso, Matisse, etc. I can’t wait to see what music inspires them to create their masterpieces! Often I bring in my old record player and albums, as that adds a great visual to connect with the music they hear. It’s really wonderful! I’ll do a whole blog post with photos when the time comes. So glad you like your course. Keep us blog followers updated, ok?
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I look forward to seeing your post about the art show because it’ll be really awesome! And I will keep my followers updated on the progress of this class. I will be doing a special post at the end of the course after we have our performance 🙂
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