the craft. music and memory.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at Philadelphia Stories Push to Publish conference at Drexel University. The panel centered music and memory which is a topic truly dear to me. So many of my earliest memories include a lot of music. From the fact that my dad would sing in the kitchen anytime he cooked. Or that my mom loved Rachelle Farrell and would play her album on repeat. Music is connected to core memories for many of us. Some of the happiest memories, and some of the worst. It took me years to be able to listen to “Miss You” by Aaliyah without crying after it was played at my best friend’s funeral in high school. Music is a part of our worlds, and not only has it been helpful in setting the mood for my writing practice, it also finds its way into shaping and molding my story ideas and plot.
Just as much as we’re connected to music, writing about everyday people has the same effect. You know, in Good Morning, Love, Carli and Tau initially connect over the song “Colors” by Amos Lee. Carli’s father, James, is connected to the fictional band that he made his biggest splash with back in the day. Her mother Natalia sings and dances salsa when she’s making dinner. There is the practical side of music and memory in fiction writing and then also music’s ability to inspire plot and/or character development.
At the panel, Carla Spataro discussed how romantic German music helped her resolve a plot point that had been evading her. For me, Good Morning, Love was the result of listening to an R&B album over and over and eventually asking the question, “what happens when a playboy falls in love?”Who would be the type of woman that could garner the interest of a man with everything at their disposal and too many options? This birthed the idea of Carli, ambitious, straight-forward, and sharing Tau’s love of music.
There is also actual adaptation. What about taking the concept of a three minute and thirty second song and expanding it into a novel? Take “Best Part” by Daniel Cesar and H.E.R. What if that was an actual couple? What obstacles would be in their way? How would they get to the place of being each other’s best part? Or “Brenda Had a Baby” by Tupac, a teenage mother faced with so much hardship and adversity that she considers discarding her baby. Maybe someone sees her and takes her in instead, who knows? But the world is yours to explore and expand in the name of creativity.
In addition to helping us figure it all out within the context of our story, music helps us get into a specific mindset or mood to work as well. It’s integral in my own process. I have playlists that go with every project I’m working on. It’s some of the character’s favorite songs, music that relates to the concept of the project, and songs that help identify a place.
With social media, so many of us are listening to music from all around the world, but there was a time when music was very regional. This past weekend, I talked about Jay Z’s “Big Pimpin” and how when I first heard the song, I had no idea who UGK was. They were huge in Houston, but as a girl growing up in Philly, I knew nothing about them. I did learn! Long live Pimp C, and Bun B is a great human, but I digress. If writing a story with ties to Houston, you may see some UGK, Paul Wall, or DJ Screw on the playlist. I love how music can ground us in place.
Music may or may not be your thing. I get it. There are times when I’m drafting or revising and I need absolute silence. But for the most part, I love to incorporate it into my process because it helps my creativity and evokes the emotion that I need for specific scenes and plotlines. I mean, you see the effects of music in film. I can’t listen to “This Woman’s Work” without thinking about Q and Monica in Love and Basketball.
WRITING EXERCISE
This week, if you’re looking for some inspiration, put on a song, and do some free writing to it. Or maybe write about a particular character if you pick a song that you feel represents them. There’s a ton of music on our PTW Power Hour playlist if you need a place to start. You know I’m a sucker for anything Robert Glasper or Nicholas Britell. Put something on and see where the music takes you.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Katie Corvino is looking to expand their network for entertainment news, looking for people who love celebs, music, pop culture, etc and have an A+ sense of humor. Email her at katiecorvino@betches.com to introduce yourself along with clips that showcase your voice.
Parallel Practice is a new monthly column at The Rumpus that is looking for essays on the things we do that are not writing but that inform and illuminate how we create.
Southern Methodist University is hiring a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Film & Media Arts - Screenwriting.
Penske Media Corporation is hiring an Associate Editor. ($64k).
University of Southern California is hiring a Writer to focus on a range of written materials, including speeches and talking points. ($32.65/hr - $36.93/hr).
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