Being a great lover of music, I am always listening to it. I have tons of the stuff. (Addict.) But the reason why I am always listening to it is because much of the time I find the lyrics are truly inspirational.
Some people listen to it for the catchy melodies, others for the lyrics that they like. I listen to music, partly for the 
good of my soul, but more for the development of my characters. Each of my characters has their own ‘life soundtrack’ playlist, which I play at the time when I’m writing them. I find that this helps enormously with their potential reactions to the different and dangerous situations that I’m throwing them into. Even when they are emotional, just by playing one track that is close to that character’s heart helps. And believe me, those tracks are far from my favourite, but my characters have their own personalities and taste in music, and therefore they life music that doesn’t particularly tickle my fancy.
Yes, I guess these are the ramblings from a neurotic writer. (One day I might tell you what else I do for my characters… besides giving them their own soundtracks. Trust me, it gets worse.)
Now, I have a good friend whose favourite artist is Leonard Cohen. Now, a lot of Leonard’s stuff is quite dark, (I think he suffered from tortured artist syndrome,) but a lot of what Leonard is voicing out to the world are emotions and beliefs that some of us are just too scared to say out loud. These lyrics are awesome for tortured characters!
But, first and foremost, Leonard Cohen is a poet. I’m not saying this out of adoration for the man, but out of truth. I recently found out from my friend that Mr Cohen was a poet and a writer long before he was a musician, or a lyricist. He had his first book of poetry published when he was just 22 years old, and he wrote his heart out until the age of 33, when he released an album. I was having a conversation with my friend the other day about Leonard Cohen (he comes up in conversation a lot) and my friend said to me, ‘It’s unheard of nowadays to embark on a new career as a musician so late in life. And to be so successful at it.’
And so on that note, I am going to leave you with an inspirational little poem by Leonard Cohen, and you can make your own decisions on the creative pathways that you or your characters walk. I know that this is a little cynical and crude… but he’s right. And he’s probably one of the only people in the world who will say it so bluntly.
The fifteen year old girls
I wanted when I was fifteen
I have them now
It is very pleasant
It is never too late
I advise you all
to become rich and famous.
Leigh K. Hunt 
I do it too, although I haven’t yet created soundtracks (but the thought is in the works if the rest of my office ever shows up…waiting for the moving truck–again). Neurotic? Naw…we’re just normal 😉
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You should do it! Soundtracks are great!
I find that it really helps me understand the direction and persepctive of the character that I am writing at the time 🙂
Hope the rest of your office shows up! Not having those creative comforts around you can be a real pain in the backside.
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Agreed on the unusual “lateness” for Cohen to start his music career. I released my first cd even later than he did : 37
I had never seen that poem from Leonard about the 15 year old girls. Very intriguing.
YvF
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I really do believe that age is just a number that we count the years with. I don’t believe that this number should ever hinder our progress with our life aspirations. I know many writers who started writing in their later years, but there is not a chance that they will ever let their age effect how they write, or what they write. (They are just a little wiser than myself!)
So, in saying that, releasing an album at 37 is more inspirational. Knowing what you want to do, and then doing it, is inspirational. Being proud of yourself for your hard work, progress, and passions is important.
Great poem by Cohen. He’s right though… You can look at this in a couple of different ways. They didn’t want him when he was 15, but since he’s famous, now they do. (Very shallow if you ask me, and I think this is what Cohen is getting at… but to his own pleasure.) And also that it is never too late. Actin the ‘now’ or act in the ‘future’, but regardless of the time, you should do it anyway.
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