Filed under: Music Inspiration | Tags: Grooveshark, Inspiration, Massive Attack, Mood, Music, Rhythm, Setting, Vitamin String Quartet, Writing, Writing Exercise
Music Inspiration:Weather Storm by Massive Attack, as performed by The Vitamin String Quartet**
courtesy tradebit.com
If you read my Facebook, then you already know how I feel about this track, so sorry for the repetition!
Massive Attack, for me, is one of those groups you just have to be in the mood for. That being said, they’re not for everyone, though I think their catchy beats offer accessibility. If you have a pulse, you fall in love with rhythm, it’s as simple as that. Not that you actually acquire rhythm, but you appreciate it when it falls in sync with something natural. Massive Attack’s beats capture natural moods within rhythm, however dark and ominous their sound is. The best word I can use to describe it is carnal.
This song has that synchronicity, that something natural that can evoke memories or create new scenarios. So, here’s the challenge as you put this track on repeat….
Writing Challenge: Setting
Use this song of the day to challenge your conventional ideas about setting and the words you typically use to present it. This piece evokes an obvious mood, but fight against going for the typical wind-and-harsh weather scenario. Try to get away from thinking about the title. Focus on the rhythm. What time period are we talking? 15th century? Or maybe BC? The future? Are there people involved? Animals? How do they influence the sound? MOST importantly, where’s the light coming from – if there is any – and where is it being cast? Do research only if you can’t resist the impulse, but try writing first with your gut. See where it takes you. It’s OK to take liberties…that’s what I’m encouraging!
A poem, a scene of a play, a chapter from your memoir – this is where you start your flow, so have at it!
As always, comment with your thoughts or even share what you’ve written.
H2I,
Alicia
**note: Please go to Grooveshark and search this track until I figure out what I’m doing wrong with my widget. For some reason it’s not embedding correctly. Thanks!
Filed under: General
Ok.
In the beginning I stated that this would be a place for reviewing, well SCREW THAT. This is now a space for INSPIRATION – particularly for writers, though I’m sure all artists can glean what they will from these posts.
Objectives:
- To scour the web for inspirational art, films and music to aid in the prevention of that nasty thing we call writer’s block
- To offer technical advice to “novice” writers (meaning, anyone who doesn’t go to school for writing/call a method of writing his/her livelihood)
- To offer incentives for daily writing through challenges. These will be inspirational “boosts” just to get you thinking, not necessarily prizes that I’ll offer if you please me with your writing…that’s the beauty of this – you are your own critic, I’m just here to get you started.
Given that inspiration is relative (or subjective, however you want to say it), Your comments are necessary for everyone’s benefit, mine included. PLEASE COMMENT. How else will I know what I’m saying is valuable or used?
Also, this is an invitation to all artists to help writers by emailing me your work (film, artwork, etc.) so I can feature you and link you to others. Who knows, maybe one of these writers NEEDS your art hanging in his/her room for continued inspiration. Don’t be shy! Submit/suggest! I’ll always give credit where it’s due. Swear.
Special thanks to a few people: Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. Without your inspirational blog about home design, I would never have conceived this idea that is tailored for writers. Lynn Hassan of LIU’s writing center, who gave me the idea to start a blog in the first place. The entire MFA writing program at Long Island University, Brooklyn. You’re all doing so much to further the art of writing, I’m going to do everything I can to help push you. Lastly, Ryan Dausch, the hub-sand. Because seeing him in a drooly ball of sleep every morning is inspiration enough for me.
My goal is to give you the tools for your work to survive. I hope I fulfill this for you!
Until then…
H2I
Alicia
