Music to My Eyes

Sometimes blog entries are my nemesis. At least that’s the way I see them at first. Little enemies, lingering behind my thoughts…

It’s time you write one of us. You’re never going to be a good writer if you keep avoiding us. Come out and play, Timmy. We won’t bite.

Truth be told, I’m hesitant because I don’t usually know what I’m going to write, whether or not it will be interesting, or if I will just stare stupidly at a monitor. The first is almost always true, the second I have little control over, and the third never happens. The words always come. I just don’t know where they will lead me. I find that a little daunting.

Or maybe it’s just an excuse for something I’m really good at: procrastination.

I also don’t want limit myself or, God forbid, bore you with another pining for some old horror movie, or author that you really couldn’t give two shits about. I reserve the right to do so, but my intention is to somehow bring variety into the mix.

I am a music lover, have been since my older brother bought me vinyl records of Cher, Olivia Newton John, and Elton John, at the tender age of 8 (Yes, I am gay too—go figure). Through the last forty years, I can honestly say that not a day goes by without me listening to music. My tastes have grown, immensely since then. Hard rock will always be my go-to, but I also listen to classical and traditional jazz as well. I am completely comfortable playing Barbra Streisand one moment, and Ozzy Osbourne the next. The context may seem strange to you, but I love them equally.

I don’t think I realized it at first, but music plays a large part in my writing. I don’t listen to it while I write, but I do hear rhythm in the words, and if the flow is not right, I will hone it until it is. There is also a broader punctuation in prose, meaning that a sentence, or even a word, can be used as comma, a period, or an exclamation point.

Get it?

Music is also my greatest inspiration. Hearing a combination of great lyrics and a moving melody sends me to heights so dizzying sometimes that I have to compose. Even if I am driving and cannot write, I will still chip away at an idea in my head for later. The sources are varied, but some that always come through are Alice Cooper, The Doors, and—bringing things a little more current—Foo Fighters. 

Sometimes, it’s not just the music, but the title of a song. I am not going to name any of these, because I am considering a project of short stories inspired by song titles. But you know what I mean. Just think of a musician you admire, and then think of their song titles. Which stand out to you? Why? There’s a story in there, whether you write it or not.

The marriage of music and writing is not a new concept. And there are people that do the same with painting. It’s probably a safe conclusion to say that all of the arts are intertwined somehow, some way. It just depends on the person as to what art form(s) they gravitate to. Creativity stimulates the mind, thus inspires. Inspiration, blossoms within, and often results in creation. It’s a beautiful circle, the joy it brings—limitless.

What inspires you?

Shameless plugs:

The fourth chapter of my zombie apocalypse novel, “Will to Live: The Dead Next Door,” is now available for free on Wattpad. For those of you not caught up, the preceding chapters are available there as well. Just click here. Please vote and/or comment on it. Thanks for your support!

Stories available for purchase are on Amazon: click here. Thanks in advance for your purchase and please, please, please write an honest review.

Happy Thanksgiving!

TWS