X by Ed Sheeran: How Music Inspires My Writing

I have been looking forward to writing this post all month. I basically thought I was the most clever person ever when I was able to tie in the topic of music with the letter X. Please, hold your applause.

Music is a huge part of who I am. Someone in my house is always singing, playing guitar, piano, or banging away on the drums. Usually, all of that is going on at once.

I love music. Seriously just love it. I love how it portrays truth and beauty, how it can lift your spirit. Or weigh down your spirit. Music has so much power. I love how it always tells a story.

Music tells stories. Just like I do.

When I was younger, I could never listen to music while writing. It was way too distracting. Now, I rarely write without listening to music.

Music pushes me forward.

Within music, I have found characters. I have found plots. I have found scenes. I have found answers and I have found questions.

Music is the ultimate short story.

When I'm writing a novel, or even a short story (which, in reality, is never very short), I usually put together a playlist of songs that go along with my story. Other times, I'll go to whatever my favorite Pandora station is or I'll just listen to random indie music that I don't know. Depends on my mood.

Some of my favorite writing musicians include Ed Sheeran, Needtobreathe, Mumford & Sons, Echosmith, Lorde, Birdy, and so, so many more.

How does music inspire your writing? Do you listen to music while you write? If so, who is your go-to musician?