Tunes for Typing

Hello, readers!

Image is the album cover for Ludacris' album titled "Word of Mouf." It features a parental advisory sticker for explicit content and a caricature version of Ludacris and a large dog with human teeth.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Mouf

I’m taking a quick break from working on Forgotten to share something fun with you all. Taking a break from writing with… more writing? Ludicrous. (And I don’t mean our good buddy, Chris Bridges AKA Ludacris.)

But, jokes aside, I wanted to address a question I’ve had a few friends ask me lately: Do I listen to music while I write?

And the answer is absolutely yes!

My answer is usually met with wide eyes and a follow-up: Really? How?

When I write, scenes unfold in my head like a movie. If you ever see me with a glazed look staring out into the ether, I’m likely thinking of a scene and playing it through in my mind! The only thing missing is the music to lend me the mood I’m hoping for…

The most important part, for me, is to find music that I can zone out to. Cinematic / instrumental tracks are my go-to because they help me set the right atmosphere and let my imagination run wild. Want to write a great action scene? You can’t listen to the soundtrack for Pride & Prejudice! When it comes to songs with lyrics, I stick to ones I know by heart so I don’t get distracted by the words (because let’s face it - I can’t resist singing along with a catchy song!).

I also love creating mood playlists for my stories. These playlists are a mix of instrumental pieces and familiar songs. I might add a track that reminds me of a character, one that tugs at my heartstrings, or another that seems perfect for a mental montage. Sometimes, these songs even make a cameo in my writing.

Sometimes the songs have absolutely nothing to do with the story itself, and that’s fine, too. The goal is to help me relax, clear my mind, and draw inspiration from the awesome vibes. (Which, fair warning, may or may not bode well for my characters!)

What about you? Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what’s on your playlist(s)? Comment below and let me know!

Guessing Game:

Can you guess what FanFiction I was writing while listening to this Spotify playlist? Take a guess in the comments below!

(Hint: It featured a recent popular video game character - bonus points if you can name the character in question!)

Jessica Wolford Barnes

Jessica Wolford Barnes is an aspiring author with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Born and raised in Gaithersburg, MD, she currently lives in Aurora, CO with her husband, Matt, and dog, Tater Tot. Her journey into the world of writing began when she was a child making up stories about a magical mouse named Starcaster and murderous pumpkins for her elementary school’s literary magazine.

Since then, Jessica has been drawing continual inspiration from her life and the world around her to add depth to her stories and beloved characters. Through writing, Jessica explores themes of mental health, self-acceptance, and self-love.

Writing also bleeds into Jessica’s hobbies as she loves to create fan fiction for her favorite characters. When she isn’t at her laptop writing, Jessica can be found hiking with her dog, reading spicy fiction, or playing Baldur’s Gate 3.

Though unpublished, Jessica is dedicated to quality storytelling. She has placed in NYC Midnight’s flash fiction and micro fiction competitions and her writing style is said to be “compelling” and “immersive.” In college, she co-created and co-led the Creative Writing Residential Learning Community on campus.

These days, you can find Jessica finishing up her premier novel, Forgotten. Send her a note at JWolfordBarnes@gmail.com to get in touch.

https://www.jessicawolford.com
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