Music That Inspires Me

My writing process usually starts with prayer and Bible study. I believe my creative nature is one way I am made in the image of God, So I dedicate my writing to Him even when the story is not Christian fiction. I'm still a Christian writing the fiction. He is in me and I have to be in agreement with Him in all that I do, and not try to go my own way and drag Him with me.

Then I listen to music to set the tone. I often pace and think about my characters and what they are feeling and feed off the emotion of the music. Sometimes it is Christian music and sometimes it is clean alternative rock. I know many Christians have the conviction to only listen to Christian music and if God has led you to that, then who am I to argue. But too often Christian music only allows the artist to sing about their love for God and God's love for them. That is the purpose of our existence so I am in total agreement to make that a huge part of what I set my mind on. But He didn't set us down in a church with a Bible and cut us off from all other aspects of life. He gave us pretty trees and flowers, people to love, funny experiences, disappointments and I think it is godly to express those things and the feelings of those things artistically to music too. But for the most part songs like that are not played on Christian radio much. I do guard my heart and seek to be discerning.

So I have two songs I've been listening to before I write. One is Christian and one is not but it is still a very good song. I don't listen to music while I write. Just during the pacing and thinking to get into my character's emotional place...into my writing zone if you will. When the story is about to spill out of me and I feel like I'm in a cloud my character's emotions I sit down and write.

Above is Jesus Culture's, Sing My Love .
To the left is The Goo Goo Dolls', All That You Are

Happy Listening!!!