Stories Behind the Music

Everyone has a certain type of music they like to listen to. Someone might like heavy metal while someone might like show tunes. I tend to be the latter, though I do enjoy some metal bands like Seether and the like. But my primary interest in music veers toward the classical realm like Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, etc. 
You may be wondering why I'm mentioning music on a blog geared for writing? The answer is pretty simple, actually. I'm writing because music has inspired me to write. Let's say you want to write a Steampunk Sci-Fi story. What music would you most likely listen to while writing? I would think probably symphonic rock, dub-step, or metal. You probably wouldn't be listening to Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers while writing. It would probably mess up your tone. If listening to classical music helps you write your Sci-Fi story or whatever it is your writing, then keep on listening to classical! But most of the time, writers tend to listen to music which helps establish the tone of the story. 
I'm writing a period Victorian drama which is still without a solid title, but the music that helps me write this story is obviously classical and opera. The tone of classical music helps define the tone of my period drama. I've done a little experiment and listened to Seether while writing my story, and it helped some, but I noticed that the tone was too angsty. It was still a good experiment because it taught me that listening to classical music for this story was the best choice. 
Here is a website which I found that really defines the music and writing exercise very well. 
http://www.writingforward.com/writing_exercises/fiction-writing-exercises/fiction-writing-exercises-story-for-a-song
Please use this website for your benefit! I'm sure that you can get as much out of it as I did. There is also a classical music challenge! Some people find it hard, but I've been exposed to constant listening of classical music since I was like 12. I'm 24 now. So it's been a long time being a classical music aficionado. This type of music is second nature to me with writing, but if it's not second nature to you, I dare you to take on this challenge and see what kind of story you can come up with. I can assure you, it will make you a better writer. 
Now, I have a personal challenge for you. It may be tough, but I've done it before, and I've found that it helps a lot. 

• Get out of your comfort zone and listen to music you are not all that familiar with and write either a story or how you felt about listening to this type of music. 

The music can either be with or without lyrics. Usually new age or classical music is without lyrics. If this is the challenge you want to take on, go for it! It's for your benefit! 


Alexandra

My New Jobs!

So I decided to employ myself in two jobs. All in the comfort of my own home! The first job is rather menial, but at least I'm getting something for working around my house, creating an internal palace of cleanliness! The second job, unfortunately, doesn't pay me--yet. I'm going to start writing a short story a day and at the end of the week, whichever story I like best, I'm going to perfect them and try to get them published. I hope at least one gets published. I'm not only saying this for myself, but also for the people who happen to be reading who are aspiring writers like myself. Set goals for your writing! Like a short story a day! Choose which one you like best and work to submit it to a magazine or whatever you like. I hope this works out for me. I'm still a baby writer, but I have a lot of passion for writing. In sure you aspiring writers can understand what I mean. I've been writing since I was a little kid. I'm sure at one point you did, too.
One thing I heard from an acquaintance of mine at school is to always write on paper first, then type it. It limits the urges to revise mistakes because you are letting your hand take over. It's easy to backspace and try to revise. That method is inhibiting and I know from first hand experience that is not a healthy way of writing. I hope this helps!
Ta Ta for now,
Alexandra