Aug 26, 2015 / Inspiration

Stomp writer’s block. Let loose!

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.” — Lao Tzu

I’m working on a novel. I’d always romanticized this type of writing. I imagined that words would flow from my head onto the page with the greatest of ease. Hey, I create other types of work every day. I have a solid, diligent writing practice. So, how hard could writing 80,000 to 110,000 words be? It turns out that, like running a marathon, writing a novel can be exhausting, and worse: I can hit the wall. I can run out of ideas and inspiration, and sometimes get sick of the sound of my own inner voice. I have a deadline to hit with this book, which only makes the stress worse, and mires me even further.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. And thus, my technique to shake off my writer’s block was born.

It may sound goofy, but it’s working like a charm!

Where words fail, music speaks.
–Hans Christian Andersen

I pick a song that resonates with me in the moment. Something upbeat that excites me when I hear it. I’ve chosen everything from “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, to “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” sung by Mama Cass. I may even have dipped my toe into Michael Jackson’s Thriller album and plunged into my bottomless pool of 80’s movie soundtracks.

I play the song LOUD. I sing to it, I dance to it, I imagine that I’m performing live at Carnegie Hall or the Hollywood Bowl. I make it big, and I totally let loose. That’s the important part — not the choice of song, not whether my singing voice is like nails on a chalkboard, or that I dance like an elephant wearing roller skates. The important part is that I allow myself to be unfiltered — unencumbered about what others might think of me — unconcerned about whether my neighbors think I’m nuts.

My writers block gets worse when I try to force the process, when I over-plan, or worry too much about what my readers will think of my choices. Trying too hard is the bane of my creativity. Stepping away from my keyboard (but not too long, or I’ve found I don’t go back) is the big breath of fresh air I need before I jump back into work.

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
–Bob Marley

When I do sit back down, I let my writing flow…

…sometimes I’m able to pick up where I left off when I hit the wall, other times, I’m inspired to start someplace new, to explore new themes that I hadn’t even considered before. Sometimes I use the writing…and other times, this free writing gets deleted, but it’s broken the dam of my writer’s block and I’m able to pick up my narrative again.

This really works for any type of writing. For example, today when I sat down to write this blog post, I looked at a blank screen. I wanted to write a post about the worst writing advice I’d ever been given. It’s a funny story I’ve wanted to write for a long time, but my mind was a blank. So, I stood up from my desk and turned up the music. I’m not going to lie, my rendition of Heart’s “Barracuda” made my cat hiss at me and hide on top of the refrigerator.

At the end of the song, sweaty, and out of breath, I sat down at my laptop and let my fingers fly. I wrote something that I never even considered. I wrote what I felt, unconcerned about word count, topic, or even the reception this post would receive by readers. I felt joyous. As I typed, my cat warily approached me, and sat on my lap. He’s sleeping soundly now.

Music should be your escape.
–Missy Elliott

I love when writing doesn’t feel like drudgery or obligation. Tonight, when I sit back down to work on my novel, if I get stuck, I know exactly how to free myself. My stereo speakers are ready to blast some inspiration into my ears. Full disclosure: I feel some 70’s tunes in my near future.

Bring on the disco ball.

Surprise yourself: pick a song from your iPod, CD rack, or record collection, and have FUN. Then, sit down at your keyboard and let your fingers fly. Tell us what song you chose, and how it inspired your writing.

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  1. Great post. And it came in my mail box at the perfect time : when I was looking for some music to write. I listened to The Time of my life and actually wrote a piece about feeling home again.

    Thank you for the insight.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. When I did most of my writing on the keyboard, I learned that the surest way to get through blocks and snarly patches was to write in longhand. Now I do almost all my first-drafting in pen and ink. It shuts my internal editor up. Since I’m an editor by trade, my internal editor can be pretty ferocious. But she has a hard time reading my handwriting. I listen to music a lot when I’m editing other people’s work or revising my own, but not so much when I’m writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I listen to music too – although, usually it’s music I haven’t heard yet.
    For my writer’s block, I go for walks, do yoga, and have a life outside of blogging/writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. This is twice in one week that someone has mentioned using music as a means to let loose. I guess I’m going to have to actually try it. My writing comes best in the middle of the night when my brain finally shuts down for the day! Last night I awoke at 3 am and could NOT get back to sleep until I had written a story down. Although I’m exhausted this morning, it felt exhilarating to get it down – the pen flew over the paper! What a great feeling.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. I’ll have to try this. I have to say when I started writing the novel I’m working on too many years ago, I thought it was such a terrific idea. I still do, but I find every excuse in the book to not finish writing it.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Music is the key to everything. IT really does awaken you when you need that pick me up. I’ve been performing for an imaginary audience so long…lol.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. This resignates with the way i approach my writing. If it’s for an English course or if it’s for a specific context being discussed. I go into my writing humble and with an open mind. I put really good music on that makes you feel something or i put on different genres of instrumentals. That not only allow for pleasure in your ears, but for an environment where it’s your turn to speak up or write on a specific topic or subject. I use the musical instruments as a weapon to allow my brain to think of new ways to enhance my writing and give it that power. So, i really enjoyed your blog i’m a student of learning and you said it best in this blog. Music is a way of life and it brings out the best in us. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  18. Music definitely cures a lack of inspiration. I recently wrote 2 posts in quick succession just because I heard a live version of one of my favourite John Legend songs. It made my writing flow beautifully

    Liked by 1 person

  20. This sounds like a good technique. i normally like to write teen fiction and my blog ‘outspokenbelle’ is relatable to teens but i also write romance stories and i listen to ‘love songs for inspiration

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  21. Oh, WOW, you had me smiling all the way through this post!!! This is so me! Whenever I get writer’s block, I don’t force myself either. I take a break for however long it takes (which usually isn’t long), listen to some of my favorite songs (R & B, Jazz, classical.) And before long, I’m back in my groove! We could be twins! đŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing!

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  23. there is no doubt that writers blog sucks, especially if you expect ideals to flow in your mind and nothing conclusive seems to hit the cerebrum. My contention is that whenever I am in the writers blog and decide to play some classics to get my groove back, then I’ll have to quote from the song I’m listening to continue which sucks because I am forced to quote.

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    1. hey, a well-placed quote isn’t the worst thing. it’s been a while since i read stephen king, but he uses quotes from music a lot! and he’s not doing so badly for himself đŸ™‚

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