Music is all around us. We can’t go anywhere without hearing music, whether it’s the natural music of the world around us, the birds and wildlife, the rustling of a breeze through the leaves, or the piped music that infiltrates every public space imaginable. And there’s the music we choose to listen to through multiple devices from headphones to loudspeakers. If music surrounds us, it should surround the characters in our stories as well. So, how do we include music in our stories and make the plot pulse with its rhythm? Here are some ideas.

First, we must remember that stories are infused with elements of the five senses. That, of course, includes sound. Characters, places, ideas, and even experiences are all interconnected. We, as writers, must go beyond the mere concept of a sound being too loud, too digital, too metallic, etc. Sound, including music, must remind the reader of other places, feelings, and even other times. How do we do that? We go back to our lists again – it’s what writers live by. Make a list of adjectives that describe music and sounds. Use words like rhythmic, serene, beautiful, powerful, warm, cold, lyrical, etc.

Consider the type of sound you wish to incorporate into the story. Is it a natural sound you wish to convey? Like birds singing? Or is it a heavy metal band deafening the eardrums of anyone within its range? If you’re going to describe music, do it in a way that will appeal to your readers and their senses. Describe the meter and the rhythm, even the tempo – is it a fast-moving melody, with a relentless beat? Or is it slow and even-tempered?

You can also use metaphors to give a sense of the sound being shared in the story. Use these metaphors as analogies to explore the emotional impact on the characters as well as the reader. Consider the context in which the sound is projected. Is it in a concert hall where the acoustics are pristine? Or on a street corner where people will gather to tap their feet and perhaps even dance a little?

Consider how the music affects the moods – of the characters, the story, and even the reader. Is it something that evokes an intense feeling of sorrow? Or, is it upbeat and full of joy?

Consider the types of sounds you want to infiltrate the scene. First, there are natural sounds, bird songs, rushing water, and sounds that can only be found in specific environments. These are very defining sounds – they provide a sense of place.

Then there are the expressive sounds, like a phone ringing, or a clock chiming, getting louder by the minute until the character takes note and reacts, either by screaming at it, leaving the room, or answering the phone. These are the sounds that build tension. Imagine a baby crying and a new mom, exhausted from lack of sleep, reacting. There are also imagined sounds, almost surreal. They bring the character’s thoughts and dreams, etc. to life, even though they’re not real sounds in the real world. These can be explored by having a character hum a tune as they wander through their day.

Sound may not have been something you would consider when writing your stories, but it’s a much-needed sensory perception that should be explored, whether it’s in the form of music, natural sounds, or imagined sounds. It adds a finer definition to the sense of place and the depth of character. I love this quote from Antonio Vivaldi (1725):

“Song and dance are done;  the gentle, pleasant air and the season invite one and all to the delights of sweetest sleep.”

The moment in time has been defined and the sense of sound and perception is quite clear. There was rhythm; there was melody; until peace settled on the vibrant air brought alive by song.