music | Today, You Will Write

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The type of music we listen to can often reveal a little bit about who we are. But it can also cause us to cross cultural divides and release a sense of peace that we would otherwise not have been privy to.

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For me, listening to the music of the Idan Raichel project ( an Israeli cross-cultural collaboration), Fiorella Mannoia (an Italian pop singer) and Greeeen (a Japanese pop rock/ hip hop/ breakbeat vocal group) have been awe inspiring.

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One of the most beautiful things about music is that it’s not only about the lyrics, because everything else is also infused with meaning. Be it the guitar, the piano, the trombone or the oboe.

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Do you believe me?

Try listening to someone you normally wouldn’t. Say a punk/ rock band. Or an international group that speaks a different language.

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If we expose ourselves to different types of music, books, movies or animation, little by little our world view will expand, and we will find ourselves changing. And although the change might seem insignificant at first: opening a door for someone older, offering a smile to someone who is sick or troubled, communicating with people who live abroad. Over time, however, these small acts will add up to something greater. Eventually we will become a catalyst for change!

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W.P. # 98 Listen to music. Write a poem. (Or use another medium, other than the one where you are most comfortable, to express yourself.)

For anyone undertaking the craft of writing, writer’s block may be something you encounter ever so often, depending on whether or not you have established a writing routine. Say writing for at least an hour or two every day. Although I have grown more aware of what it means for me when my writing stops (for example more research needs to be done here or do take a break,) the effect can hamper your creative skills and lead you to discard work that may be almost done. (For times like those distance may be all that is required to get a fresh perspective and for others there are different techniques. Below I will discuss some of the methods I have used to combat this errant visitor, to promptly send him on his way.

Sometimes all that might be needed is a mood changer, for instances like these, listening to music can help you to get in the zone. To lay yourself bare on the page. Whatever your preferences, try various artists and see which ones work for you. Right now, I’m listening to Birdy’s Terrible Love. During the rewriting of The Way of the Seer, I cycled through Missy Higgins, Maroon 5, Greeeen, OneRepublic, Orange Range and Fun. Who do you use to tune in to the work and out of your environment?

At other times working with your hands might be the best way to get out of the funk. Simple things like gardening, painting, drawing or collecting seashells (for anyone who lives near the beach or is going on a trip) might provide the nudge needed. This method of stopping and doing something else may help your mind bypass the current plateau that has you stumped. After all, even when we are not writing our mind is engaged with the work. And stepping away may briefly may get us over the hump and let the ideas flow. On a few occasions, I have realized instances where my brain was prodding me to shift to a less demanding project because the one I was working on was making me extremely tired; and while I don’t propose to know either you or you body, I would advise you to get to know your body better. Learn its various cues, so that you can stop or switch tactics before you are both completely drained and swamped.

And if that doesn’t work, grab a good book and remind yourself about the things that you hold dear. Or care about. Things that we are all trying to achieve, be that writing a novel, screenplay, poem, play or short story. Go on an artist date, like the one suggested by Julia Cameron (in her book, the Artist’s Way) where you treat your younger self, the writer, painter, sculptor in you. Try to do something fun or escape, even if it is just for a few minutes in the day. Read a few line from a good book, perhaps one like the type that you are trying to write. See how the author uses words. Or how the painter paints her canvas, expresses her view of the world. Sometimes we forget that in writing our primary goal is to communicate well, with someone else; and this little pulling back and observing how someone else does it, can be the thing that flicks the switch in our brain. Makes us realize how everything else is possible.

However, if you find that you have been procrastinating for too long, gently force yourself to get back in. To continue the work. Telling yourself patiently, that it is okay to do bad work, as long as you write something. Anything. Get the juices flowing. Give yourself permission to fail, take the pressure off yourself if you have been expecting too much too soon. And relax. Do something fun, like go to a movie and then press on. You don’t have to know everything about where you are going, sometimes, like Octavia Butler said the routine will help you out more than talent. If you stick with it, day in. Day out. The momentum will keep you going. Your work won’t be halted. Remember you can get over this hurdle, you’ve done it before. All you need to do is to persist. Press on. Paint your picture. Write your story.

Until next Monday (June 9th) when I return with a post as part of Eye-Dancers’ Blog Tour: Meet My Main Character. So, until then, keep reading, writing and posting! And if you haven’t read Eye-Dancer’s piece, do check it out! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!