Write to the Beat: How Music Levels Up Storytelling
- Kate Morgan
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Ever hit a wall where the words just feel flat?
Sometimes the best way to fix a scene isn't to stare at the screen but to change what you’re listening to. Music isn't just background noise; it’s a shortcut to the emotions you're trying to put on the page.
From soft jazz to hip-hop, the music you choose for your writing time can be another way you prepare for the writing process.
1. Setting the "Vibe"
Think of music as your story’s internal weather.
Need tension? Try low-frequency ambient tracks or dark cello pieces.
Writing a high-speed chase? Throw on some heavy synthwave or fast-paced rock to keep your sentence structure punchy.
Building a fantasy world? Celtic folk or orchestral scores help you "see" the landscapes while you describe them.
I know it may seem silly, but your brain responds to music whether or not you think it does. In the article “How Music Resonates in the Brain,” Patrick Whelan, a student at Harvard Medical School, believes, “When you go into a church, the music takes over the mental faculties of all the people who are attending . . . It puts everyone in the same emotional space.”
That being said, if you start your day listening to melancholy or sad music, you’ll end up feeling pretty down throughout the day. Starting your day off right with something encouraging or upbeat may help encourage you to create more.
2. Character Playlists
If you’re stuck on a character’s voice, ask yourself: What’s on their Spotify Wrapped? Listening to what your protagonist would actually like helps you get into their headspace. It changes how you handle their dialogue and their reactions to the world around them.
For example, if I could imagine Harry Potter’s playlist, it would be very dark academia, and sometimes whimsical. Listening to an album such as Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago would immediately put me in the headspace of fantasy and wonder.
3. Hacking Your Focus
If lyrics pull you out of your own head, stick to lo-fi, post-rock, or video game soundtracks. Game music is literally designed to be engaging without being distracting, which is perfect for powering through a difficult chapter.
Even when I’m studying on my own time to prepare for classes, I listen to lo-fi or soft jazz to help my brain focus and build a consistent habit.
4. Overcoming "The Silence"
Pure silence can be intimidating. Background music acts as a creative safety net, filling the void so you don't overthink every comma. It provides consistent white noise that drowns out real-world distractions (such as a loud neighbor), helping you enter a flow state faster.
With a focus on ADHD/ADD, Sabine Staggl in the article “What is White Noise and Why is It So Powerful?” says, “Listening to white noise can effectively help to block out these annoying noises and help to create a distraction-free environment.” Silence, in general, can create an unsettling environment for those who are trying to focus and be intentional with their thoughts.
5. Memory Anchoring
If you always listen to the same album while writing a specific project, your brain eventually associates those sounds with that world. This is a "Pavlovian" hack:
“Pavlovian fear conditioning is a popular and powerful technique for studying learning and memory.”
As soon as you hit play, your mind recognizes it’s time to work, making it much easier to pick up where you left off.
For example, when I would go to the gym consistently, I would always listen to the same album and make sure I worked out for that specific time, so whenever I hear a song from the album Igor by Tyler, The Creator, my heart races, and I feel the urge to work out.
You can do this with any album, podcast, show, or anything that helps you focus! It’s the same idea as watching a show to fall asleep; having a routine will keep your brain engaged in your work.
Music is more than just background noise; it’s a simple way to get out of your head and into your story. Whether you’re using a specific playlist to find a character’s voice or lo-fi to drown out distractions, the right sounds help you collect your thoughts much faster.
Next time you're stuck staring at a blank screen, don't overthink the words. It’s about building a consistent routine that tells your brain exactly when it’s time to be creative. Over time, those first few notes will be all you need to dive back into your world without the usual struggle.
Just put on your headphones, hit play, and let the music do the heavy lifting.
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