Can you actually use music as a plot idea? Well, I am here to tell you that you can actually use music as a plot idea. Music is a story in itself, the MV lays the groundworks and the lyrics are full of plot ideas.
It doesn’t matter what genre you are writing in, as long as you look in the right place, you will find music to be a helpful tool for writers. That is why today, I am going to show you how to utilise and find plot ideas.
Choose the song
When choosing the song, think of the genre you want to write in. What is typical about that genre and what song do you know, with at least two of those characteristics.
As for me, I want to write a teen fiction book with a bit of thriller. Personally, I find that heart-break and one-sided love are typical in Teen fiction. A song that I know and are fond of is, twice cry for me.
Interpret the lyrics
The great thing about interpreting songs is the fact that it is not so likely that a majority of people will have the same opinion as you. Music is universal and depending on the lyrics, people might not always interpret it the same way the lyricist has.
In Cry for me, I interpret it more in a dark way. I feel that the woman has captured her current boyfriend, holding him hostage. The guy does not love her, so she is pleading him to love her. Hence, cry for me. If he cries for her, it is a sign for his love for her. Obviously it does not work and at the end she kills herself in hopes that he will cry for her. The mentality, he will realize what he had and now lost.
As you can see, my interpretation was a bit dark. Someone else might say the guy wants to break up with the girl and she does not want to end the relationship. That she is trying everything is to regain his love.
Whatever comes to mind when reading to the lyrics and listening to the song, is an idea to use in your book or note down in your idea journal.
And that is all, as easy as that. If you have any question, simply comment it below and I will get back to you as soon as possible or send me an email.
Music is an amazing tool for inspiration. The amv community is an amazing proof for this. Sometimes their’s literally 5 or so original stories with the same song!