Welcome to Music Monday! As many of you know, music contributes a great deal to my writing process. Whether it’s a song’s lyrics, beat, rhythm, or tone, I find myself constantly inspired by it.
Well, after a couple of crazy months of writing, I’m finally returning to a semi-normal blog schedule.
I apologize for being AWOL the past couple of weeks. It’s been a little rough…But, more about that later. Let’s hop into today’s Music Monday!
So, last week I participated in the first round of the Short Story Challenge 2015. As usual, it was a tough experience, but a good one. I’ll be sharing more about it in a post tomorrow. Today, I want to share a song that helped motivate me while working on my story for the contest.
While struggling through my first draft, I took a break and pulled up YouTube in hopes of finding some much needed inspiration. And I did when “Shatter Me” featuring Lzzy Hale and Lindsey Stirling popped up.
The moment this music video began playing, I was infatuated with it. The imagery, tone, and words were exactly what I needed to see/hear to give my lagging story a swift kick in the rear.
Not only did “Shatter Me” help me tap into the raw emotions of my characters (anger, resentment, fear, sorrow), but it sparked my imagination with its amazing music video. I loved the shattering theme. It gave me some great ideas for my horror story’s morbid journey.
And, of course, “Shatter Me” has amazing lyrics with the power to inspire all kinds of emotions and ideas.
I pirouette in the dark
I see the stars through a mirror
Tired mechanical heart
Beats ’til the song disappears
So, if your story needs a swift kick in the rear like mine did, or you’re just looking for a great song, check out “Shatter Me” with Lzzy Hale and Lindsey Stirling.
What song(s) are you in love with right now? Which one(s) offer you inspiration? Let me know! I’m always searching for songs that motivate my writing.
Photo credits:
Jen's Pen Den 
I kind of live this one. Oddly it really hit me between the eyes or in the chest. The strange thing is I’ve been listening to a song pretty much non-stop for the last day or so.
I change a few lyrics in my mind. But as it one can take it for a feel of total devastation or one of hope or one of spiritualality. Perhaps it is a take it in stages thing.
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Hello! I saw you in the NYC Short Story Challenge forum; I think we were both 25-ers. It was my first time in the contest, and I blogged my way through the experience. I, too, found a ton of inspiration in music. I tried to listen to some of scariest music I know to get me inspired for the horror prompt, and did a similar post here: https://querentscribe.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/short-story-challenge-update-4/
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I love meeting fellow group members! I’ll have to check out your blog and read all about your experience 🙂 Mine was a little rough and I’m not sure I LOVE my story, but oh well. I made it through, haha…Have you been on the forum? If so, what’s your screen name? Hope you decide to post your story on your blog and/or forum. I’d love to read it!
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I’ve been on the forum, but only a little bit. I’m new to the whole ‘forum experience’ in general (not just on the NYC SSC forum), so it’s a little overwhelming to try to keep up. But my screen name on there is: Tlazolteotl (which is connected to the story I wrote!)
I will definitely be posting my story once we get the go-ahead!
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Oh, yes! I recognize your name. Your synopsis is completely intriguing.
Don’t let the forum overwhelm you. Just interact as you feel comfortable. Hopefully you’ll get used to it and you’ll meet some new writing pals/beta readers. I’ve found a lot of both in the two years I’ve been on there. Such an amazing community 🙂
Can’t wait to read your story!
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I’ve listened to some of Lindsey’s instrumentals, but I hadn’t heard this one. Great song!
I got historical fiction, which meant a *lot* of research. I turned it in with 5 minutes to spare 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading your story.
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I’m a big fan of Lzzy Hale’s, so when I saw her performing with a violinist, I had to check it out. So glad I did. Now I’m a fan of Lindsey’s too 🙂
Ugh, historical fiction. I have yet to get that genre assigned to me, and I’m okay with that, haha. Half of your time had to be spent researching! Glad to hear you made it through. Can’t wait to read it!
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I LOVE Lindsey Stirling (and Lzzy Hale was awesome in this too)! Her videos and music are amazing. I saw her in concert too. Talk about a ball of energy. Utterly fascinating.
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She has definitely become one of my new favorite artists! So happy I stumbled upon on while on YouTube 🙂
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Well I’m gonna let you into a secret now, Jen, and tell you what I was listening to when I wrote my story for the NYC Midnight SSC.
I can see you dancing around to this right now 🙂
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