Writing Exercise: Vibing With Music

Have you ever started a writing session staring at a blank page with no idea what to write?

I know I have. The blank page is a writer’s worst enemy. It’s taunting you with endless possibilities, and all you must do is start. But that is the problem. Where do you start?

Enter: Writing Exercises.

What are writing exercises? I hear you ask.

Well, they are short bursts of improvisational writing designed to kickstart your creative juices. There are thousands of different activities you can use to start your writing session.

I generally use them to keep my chops up. I’ll start my writing with a little exercise or use the time as my session for the day. It keeps me writing, and my mind focused.

Today, I am sharing with you my personal favorite, and I invite you to participate.

Vibing With Music:

Vibing with music is a 2-step process designed to activate your right brain and get you in a creative flow state. Music is the key ingredient here. It has the power to transport us to different worlds and dimensions. Soundwaves and poetry make us feel specific ways and play with our creativity.

What you will need:

• A pen or pencil
• A notebook
• Headphones
• 20 minutes of uninterrupted time

Now that you have everything, I invite you to join me on this writing journey through music. Follow along as I go through the steps of the exercise, and put your results in the comments.

Step 1:

Credit: Man of No Ego

Begin by listening to the music I have provided in this post. During the first listen, you are not going to write.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Allow yourself to feel or think whatever comes up. The song is taking you on an adventure, follow it to the very end.

I like to light incense during this step and try to create a particular atmosphere. I’ll sit on my zafu pillow in a Burmese’s pose and take in the music. It is not quite a meditation; the goal is not to turn away the thoughts but to witness them and allow them to come.

Step 2:

Now that you have heard the full song – giving it your utmost attention – It is time to let it sink in with silence. Just give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts; that is all you need.

Play the song again; only this time, write during the full duration. It is similar to a writing sprint that I talk about here – write with only the thoughts the music provides. It doesn’t matter how the writing flows, and you don’t need to edit, just let go.

During this stage, my pen is consistently moving. I do not reread what I wrote until after the song is completed. I may take a moment here or there to collect my thought, yet, I do not linger. I often stop to feel the music and then continue right on writing.

Once the music comes to an end, so too, should your writing session. Give yourself a moment to finish that last thought or sentence than put it down.

My Writing While Vibing:

In the beginning, there was only darkness – a pitch-black void where not even a sound could be heard. Then, out of darkness rose Unmonteth: The First Dragon. With his breath, he created the sun, banishing the darkness. His scales molded and shaped the planet, now known as Symphonia. He who came out of nothing breathed life into the universe.

Still, where there is creation, destruction soon follows, for there was another creature who came from darkness – a man-like creature with wings of a dragon growing out his back.  His name is Delark, and he is the god of the darkness. He created the moon to keep watch over Unmonteth.

Final Thoughts:

No, I did not write a perfect piece, and it is not meant to be anything more than just an exercise. Ideas are birthed from the practice, and maybe you will come up with an idea for your next novel.

Vibing with music can be used with any song of your choice. Experiment with different music and see how it affects the stories you write. I find heavy metal songs end up with more words and characters. Maybe for you, you’ll have a different experience. Share your experience in the comments below!