I have always made music. I come from a musical family--that's me with my mother and sister just before a performance--so singing in church, on stage for talent contests, and later performing on the flute is so much a part of my life I can’t imagine going without music.
When I write, I hear music. The characters each sing for me.
Like the songs of your favorite singers or bands, every story has its own “song,”
its own style, melody, rhythm. Some pound at you like classic rock, some drill
into your psyche like heavy metal. They might sooth you and carry you along on
a lush flowing melody, or scratch at your nerve endings with a driving drumbeat.
Sometimes you feel complete, other times you’re left suspended, unfulfilled.
Texas Gold was my debut novel. Jake McCain, the hero, didn’t sing much at first. He’s a very self-contained character, very serious, never giving himself permission to just be. When he finally did share that melody that is uniquely his, he was always very conscious of who was close enough to hear. Rachel Hudson, on the other hand, is a woman whose toes are always tapping, who hums when she works, and sang lullabies to her brother when he was a baby. When they finally sang together, it was downright beautiful.
Music always evokes memories for me, and those memories are woven into the tapestry of my stories. I’m so glad my creative writing teacher was wrong, and I didn’t have to choose.
What activities can you absolutely not do without music
playing? Does music influence your
writing, and how?
Tracy Garrett
Texas Gold,
Available from Prairie Rose Publications
https://amzn.to/3fGmrbd
Tracy, I agree! Music is glorious and a big part of my life. I love the idea of your Jake and Rachel singing together!
ReplyDeleteSing on, Lindsay! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYes, music is so important. We're so lucky to live in a time where we can hear the best performers at the click of a button. I certainly couldn't manage a long journey without the radio!
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate, C.A. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWhat a great analogy. Although I hear music, for me it more like a play with music. Acting, singing, playing music are all so intertwined with me that one cannot exists without the other. Doris
ReplyDeleteThat I understand, Doris. Totally right.
DeleteIt's not surprising you have music aptitude. My former editor at Kensington Books, Hilary Sares once commented that most of her authors had some sort of musical talent. I think the creative side of the brain grows from that fount of beauty and creativity.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting that you hear music when you write. My artistic interests have tended to be more visual (e.g. paintings, quilts, crafts) and, once I mentally get into the setting, my story unfolds more like a movie. I hadn't really thought about these relationships until your post. Thanks.
ReplyDelete