Music—Does It Inspire You?
By Lindi Peterson

Music has always been a huge part of my life. Just like I can’t remember a time when I haven’t been reading a book, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a favorite song. Over the years I’ve listened to a wide variety of music. There are so many talented artists in every genre.

Music evokes a lot of emotion. A certain song can bring back memories, good or bad. There are certain songs I relate to certain events. When I hear the song, I Will Survive, I think of my step-daughter  Lisa’s wedding. All the ladies were in a circle and we would take turns dancing in the middle. My son, who was about 13 at the time, snuck in and had us all clapping and laughing.  Good memories.

Whenever I hear the song Babe, by Styx, I always remember crying in my family room and explaining to my grandma, who was just visiting from out of state, about how my boyfriend and I had broken up and hearing that song reminded me of him.

I wonder what Grandma was thinking?

Speaking of those angsty teenage years, my favorite band was The Rolling Stones.

Born in 1961, I’ve been listening to them since I was in elementary school. I never saw them in concert until the 90’s when my husband bought tickets to their show. I love me some Mick Jagger. (No comments on that statement please!! I know he’s not for everybody, but there’s something about him that makes me smile! And I know you have a favorite, too!)

Fast  forward  a lot of years. I am now a mom, grandma, (Gigi) and a novelist. And I still love my music.

When I start writing a novel I usually have a ‘novel’ song. A song that either inspires me, or has the words that encompasses  what my novel is about. I print the words out to the song and tack them to my bulletin board above my computer along with the visual images of my characters that I’ve found in magazines.

Here is a link to the song that inspired my June release, Summer’s Song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuAGfImZAq0

There is also a song in my book Summer’s Song, which I wrote.  A friend of mine put music to it and we sing it in church sometimes.  We made a video, but it’s not uploaded to You Tube yet. I can’t wait to see it.

Does music inspire you? If so, what’s your favorite now?

Tags: , , ,