Tag: music

Music Preferences

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Music wasn’t always an important part of my life. I don’t remember singing childhood ditties or making up my own songs as I played with dolls. My parents never sang to me and when we did listen to a radio, it was usually tuned to melodramas. We did sing in church, but because I was slow to learn to read, I couldn’t join in.

            I bought myself a tiny transistor radio when I was twelve. My favorite station played pop music, comfy singalong tunes with catchy beats. I subscribed to a magazine that printed the lyrics to every popular song. That became my bible. Whenever I was alone in my room, I turned on the radio and sang along. My love of music carried me through my tumultuous teens, twenties and all the ensuing years until my current ripe old age.

            How has music impacted your life? Has it played a minor or major role?

            Your task is to write a story in which music affects the protagonist, either in a positive or negative way. What age is she? Where does she live (city, state, country). What is her family situation (socioeconomic, single-parent, half-siblings). What are her favorite subjects in school (think about all the different grades, from Pre-Kindergarten to university).

            Does she share her love of music or keep it to herself? Does she sing in the shower or on stage? In a church choir or with a band? If band, what type and do they tour? All these considerations affect story.

            Have fun with this one.

Arts and Entertainment

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

What we do in our leisure time depends upon where we live, what skills we have, and what options are available. In early societies not all people were literate so reading books would have been limited to scholars and the educated wealthy. Many artists lived in monasteries so as to escape the tedious tasks of daily life.

Music has been around for a long time. What we sing, what instruments we play depends upon socioeconomic status, preferences, popularity and access. Wandering minstrels brought music to isolated villages, often relating tales of great deeds. Talented musicians entertained royalty in drawing rooms and during grand balls.

Painting, pottery making, games, fairs, shows allowed the average person to express themselves while creating useful gadgets and also provided forms of relaxation.

When building your world, take into consideration what talents your characters have, how they appreciate the skills of others, and how art and entertainment affects daily life.

Your task is to write a scene in which your character either learns a new skill or displays a skill he is already proficient in. It can be humorous, especially if he performs in an inn before inebriated crowds, or it can be solemn if he plays for a special ceremony.

Details are important. We need to see, hear, taste, and touch the things that your characters experience. Reread. Does the scene work? Are there sufficient sensory details so that the world comes alive?

Have fun with this one.

 

Ballads, Love Songs and Lullabies

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            In times before written word, music was used to transmit the cultural stories that bound a person to a community’s history. Balladeers were valued members of society because they had the skill to keep memories alive. Music was an important part of the culture.

Love songs and lullabies have a common purpose: to tell someone how much they are loved. At a wedding, the first dance of the newly married couple is done to a song that has special meaning to them. It is often a love song.

Babies grow up hearing the special songs that their parents heard, and that their grandparents heard. The songs can cause giggles or put little ones to sleep. Because of the handing down of lullabies, the words seldom change despite the impacts of time and technological change.

Your task is to write a scene in which a ballad, love song or lullaby plays a major role. You can research songs that are part of a given culture or write new ones of your own.

Decide when, where and why the character will sing the song or hear the song for the first time. Also consider how the character reacts when the song is performed. Emotional details are important.

Have sun with this one.