It all started with their song Breakeven. I heard this song for the first time awhile ago as I was driving. I wasn’t really paying attention to the radio, just driving and writing in my head. Well the song starts with:
I’m still alive, but I’m barely breathing
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
And I went, “Whoa, I need to listen to this.” So I turned up my radio, quieted my brain and fell in love. A few days later I hunted down the CD and to my delight discovered that Breakeven wasn’t even going to be my favorite song on the CD. What happens with me is that I fall in love with several different songs and currently I’m in love with a song called, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.
The song is about a guy who stands on the corner where he first saw the love of his life. He has a sign and her picture hoping that if she changes her mind and wants him back, she’ll come back to that corner. People think he’s homeless, but he’s just heartbroken…okay, when did I become such a sap, because that hits me right where I live.
There’s a part in the song that watered the seed of a novel for me. It goes:
And maybe I’ll get famous as the man who can’t be moved
And maybe you won’t mean to, but you’ll see me on the news
And you’ll come running to the corner ‘cos you know it’s just no use
I’m the man who can’t be moved.
Well, now, thanks to that song and several others including tracks from Kings of Leon and Adelle I have an entire novel added to my list of future projects. Thank God for music!
Just from reading other blogs out there, I know a lot of you have playlists while you write, but have any of you ever been inspired to write a novel based on a song, or CD or a combination of a few songs from different authors?
6 comments:
Happens to me all the time. My current WiP has been inspired by many albums. I can play each song over and still see my characters playing out scenes in my head. After I started blogging, I realized I wasn't crazy. This happens to other people too. Thank god!
Good luck!
This happens to me all the time! So much in fact I don't think I could make a cd because so many songs inspire me, I'd spend way too much time creating just the perfect playlist, when I should be writing.
I'm one of those sad individuals who doesn't have a playlist, and can't even listen to music while she writes (I'm easily distracted).
Good luck with your new idea. :D
Yup - happens to me too! :) Songs, quotes phrases, idioms - they all take shape in my head - strange stuff :)
My last novel was actually based on a song, I even titled it the same title as the song, which was "The Good Left Undone." It's a song by the band Rise Against; I don't if you'll like them, but check them out.
As for my newest WIP, it was actually inspired by an event in my life and a few inspirational lyrics from the band Chevelle's new album, Sci-Fi Crimes.
Anyway, awesome piece and write on!
See, isn't it great being a writer and inspired by so many wonderful things. I'm glad to see I'm not alone.
Vatche, I'd never heard of Rise Against, but I listented to a few songs online and they sound like what I like, so thanks! I'm always looking out for good music.
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