Do you think it is more difficult to write a story or compose music?

Question

I guess it differs from person to person, but since we speak and write so more often than we play music, I think writing comes more easily.

I wish I could compose my own original music but most of the tunes I come up with are a very obvious variation of something I've already heard. It's a wonder that anyone ever composed anything distinctive or original. In some ways, it's the same way with stories: the plots of a bunch of other stories crowd your head, yet because you write more than you play music, you can work around that somehow, right? You might subconsciously put yourself in the story and make it your own that way.

On the other hand, it's more difficult with music; the moment I sit down at the keyboard, all I can hear is the latest song that got stuck in my head.

And you? Do you have any tips on either composing own writing? I like to write stories and I just think it'd be nice to have my own soundtrack in my head too, to go along with the story, which is why I ask.

Answer 1

A very famous writer wrote something similar to what you just said back in the 1800's. His name was John Stuart Mills, and he talked in his Autobiography about not finding joy in music since all the great arrangements had already been discovered. The rest was all just variations of the same stuff.

I, on the other hand, find it harder to write a story than to compose music. When you compose a song, you can use music to describe those things that words just can't touch. You can talk about everything that goes on in your heart and soul without ever speaking or writing a word if you want. But try to explain things like that in English. Try to write down some of your most passionate creativities, and really boil them down in a sequence of meaningful words - now that's hard.

But there is one thing that seems to help the other, at least for me. When I just can't get the words out it helps to put on a CD. And vice-versa too. When I can't compose anything and I'm staring at the keys with nothing on my heart, it helps if I watch a powerful movie, or read something really inspirational.

Maybe the two go together :)

Answer 2

like you said it depends on the person. but they both come from inspiration. you can't make things just come to you. both writng and composing are really hard. just wait for the right moment and once you get started keep going. just make sure you love it. try listening to music then write a story. =)

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