1. ShalaylaW

    ShalaylaW Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2015
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    43
    Location:
    Edmonton, AB

    Characters based off of music

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by ShalaylaW, Oct 13, 2015.

    I find one way I fashion the characters in my story is to listen to music that gives off the same kind of vibe. Like say for example you take a very complex mad-man, I'd probably listen to the Bizarre by the Tea Party, or Restless Heart Syndrome by Green Day.

    I think music is something we all connect with on some level, for I know I wouldnt be a happy person whatsoever without it. The sound alone of some music can send me to another place, and what better thing to connect to that than writing? I was just curious if anyone else finds this helpful, and to post examples of your musical inspiration :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2015
    ToeKneeBlack likes this.
  2. Shbooblie

    Shbooblie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2015
    Messages:
    342
    Likes Received:
    213
    Location:
    North East England
    I find whenever I'm writing I always need to find *the perfect song* for the particular character or scene I'm writing at that time. It's gotten so out of hand now though that I've actually wrote original songs to use as character theme tunes:bigoops:.

    My favourite songs for my MC are typically those angsty rock music songs, but I guess he'd be listening to a lot of old-timey music so I try and switch between the two.
     
    ShalaylaW and ToeKneeBlack like this.
  3. ToeKneeBlack

    ToeKneeBlack Banned

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2014
    Messages:
    383
    Likes Received:
    128
    I find music to be a great source of inspiration.

    While listening to "Stormbringer" by Deep Purple, I suddenly had the urge to create a character with that name.
    Only after completing half my first draft did I do some digging and discover there were already a handful of books with that title, but I stuck with it, intending to make the character my own.

    In the song, the Stormbringer is described as some sort of dangerous entity; "He's gonna make you bleed." He sounds powerful; "Ride the rainbow, crack the sky, Stormbringer comin', time to die."
    My variation is a heroic female who, through no fault of her own, gains the above reputation over many decades.

    I'm also getting character ideas from Black Sabbath's "The Wizard"; "Without warning, the wizard walks by. Never talking, just keeps walking, working his magic."
    Also there's a plot thread brewing from "Love Like Blood" by Killing Joke; "Till the fearless come, and the act is done,
    A love like blood, a love like blood." Not sure what will happen until I explore it further though.
     
    ShalaylaW likes this.
  4. ShalaylaW

    ShalaylaW Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2015
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    43
    Location:
    Edmonton, AB
    QUOTE="ToeKneeBlack, post: 1382411, member: 65650"]I find music to be a great source of inspiration.

    While listening to "Stormbringer" by Deep Purple, I suddenly had the urge to create a character with that name.
    Only after completing half my first draft did I do some digging and discover there were already a handful of books with that title, but I stuck with it, intending to make the character my own.

    In the song, the Stormbringer is described as some sort of dangerous entity; "He's gonna make you bleed." He sounds powerful; "Ride the rainbow, crack the sky, Stormbringer comin', time to die."
    My variation is a heroic female who, through no fault of her own, gains the above reputation over many decades.

    I'm also getting character ideas from Black Sabbath's "The Wizard"; "Without warning, the wizard walks by. Never talking, just keeps walking, working his magic."
    Also there's a plot thread brewing from "Love Like Blood" by Killing Joke; "Till the fearless come, and the act is done,
    A love like blood, a love like blood." Not sure what will happen until I explore it further though.[/QUOTE]
    That's awesome! :) I find really good classic rock a great source of inspiration.
    Metallica is a perfect example, I love their music. Some songs are very soft and deep, while others are just plain badass.
     
    ToeKneeBlack likes this.
  5. Lifeline

    Lifeline South. Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Messages:
    4,282
    Likes Received:
    5,805
    Location:
    On the Road.
    I think it can be both at once. By listening to music you get ideas for a character that matches the 'vibe'. But you were the one selecting this particular music in the first place.. so.. your imagination really wanted to write about this kind of character :D
     
    Simpson17866 and ShalaylaW like this.
  6. California Solo

    California Solo New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    2
    I always use music when I'm writing. The right music puts me in the right mood to write the scene I'm working on, and to really get inside the world and feel what my characters are feeling. More than once a song has been inspiration for an entire character, though of course they evolved far outside of just that song with time.
     
    ShalaylaW likes this.
  7. ShalaylaW

    ShalaylaW Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2015
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    43
    Location:
    Edmonton, AB
    Definitely, I mean sometimes I'll listen to that same song until I really get the feel of it, and writing my story just flows after that (that is currently happening with Your Sweet 666 by H.I.M)
     
  8. Commandante Lemming

    Commandante Lemming Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 8, 2014
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    1,306
    Location:
    Washington, DC, USA
    I don't get characters from music but I do get scenes from music. I write in silence but I usually blast music when brainstorming - and sometimes it's the character picking the music. I have different genres and artists assigned to each character and try to use them to get inside their head and set a mood. One of my characters is a 38 year 0ld alcoholic in the year 2034 - and her playlist is almost exclusively Taylor Swift because that's what she listened to in high school and what resonates with her. I have another character who is a part-time DJ from LA - she has a a good amount of pop-leaning EDM mixed with a lot of Katy Perry. My main character is a from a mid-size, dying industrial city in the Midwest and grew up working at a diner - lots of Springsteen and 80s rock for her (the playlist is purposefully designed to sound like a diner jukebox). And her love interest is from Oklahoma, really hard-edged at the beginning - Bro-Country.
     
    Shbooblie likes this.
  9. Enyo

    Enyo Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2015
    Messages:
    45
    Likes Received:
    14
    To quote myself from a similar thread:

     
  10. Aidan Stern

    Aidan Stern Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    93
    Location:
    My Awefull World Inside My Head
    I do the same. I don't get characters from music, but I do get scenes from music which helps me develop a character's personality. I'm currently using Death Cab for Cutie's I'll Follow You Into the Dark.
     
  11. ManOrAstroMan

    ManOrAstroMan Magical Space Detective Contributor

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    Messages:
    808
    Likes Received:
    349
    Location:
    Missouri
    I've never built a character around a genre of music, but I do create playlists for characters, as well as moods and scenes.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice