Appreciating the art of Italy includes learning more about the music of Italy.
The creative process: Incorporating music and writing.
Every writer has a different writing style and specific preferences for how they go about the creative process. Some writers have particular rituals or habits they perform before or during writing to get in the right mindset. For instance, some write early in the morning, while others write late at night. Some need coffee, tea, or espresso to fuel them with energy… and perhaps a chocolate chip cookie or two for extra inspiration. Some writers prefer to write in complete silence, while others prefer to write with music or ambient noise.
I tend to fall into the category of writers who work best late at night and drink espresso (and yes, to the chocolate chip cookie). I’m also siding with the writers who must be enveloped in silence when they work. I’ve tried to write while listening to music while I work. But, after a few minutes, I must switch the music off. I’m far too distracted by the beat and the lyrics and find I can’t focus on my storyline.
I may not listen to music when I’m writing. But music, nonetheless, it is an integral part of my creative process. I need music to inspire and fill me with the emotions I want to capture in my creative work. I plug into my playlists in the moments between the writing. In my after-hours, I listen to music when I walk and let the music take me to new places as I think about my characters and the story. When I return to my computer, I am refreshed and have clarity of mind to continue writing.
Art, music, and literature inspire. The soundtrack of my books
Music and the artists behind it often become the soundtrack of specific periods in my life. With each new book I write, I find myself naturally drawn to certain singers whose songs I play on repeat. Their music becomes an integral part of my creative process, sparking my imagination and bringing scenes to life as I craft my novels. It’s as if their melodies and lyrics unlock my creativity, making my fingers dance across the keyboard as my stories unfold.
Francesco Renga – Il mio giorno più bello
Dreaming Sophia
Renga Helped me Envision my Characters Sophia and Lorenzo
While writing my first novel “Dreaming Sophia”, I listened to many different Italian artists, several of whom I mentioned in the pages of the book. Among my favorites were the songs of Francesco Renga. His voice and romantic ballads, such as “Il mio giorno più bello nel mondo”, have a quality that perfectly matched my mood as I wrote some of the romantic scenes between my protagonists, Sophia and Lorenzo.
Modà – È solo colpa Mia
Waking Isabella
The Music of Modà and the 1940s Era
While writing “Waking Isabella,” I found myself drawn to the music of Modà. This popular Italian rock group has a unique sound that blends a mellow yet upbeat rhythm with a romantic vibe, making their songs an ideal companion during the creative process. Two of my favorites, “E solo colpa mia” and “California,” seemed to capture the essence of my protagonist Nora—her emotions, struggles, and aspirations. Adding to the fun, this novel allowed me to explore the popular music of the 1940s, an era rich with nostalgia and cultural significance, which serves as the backdrop for part of the story. Immersing myself in the music of both periods helped bring the narrative and characters to life in a deeply authentic way.
Noemi – Passenger
Eternally Artemisia
Noemi and feminist themes an inspiration
For “Eternally Artemisia,” I found myself gravitating toward the music of Noemi, whose powerful voice and emotionally charged lyrics became an integral part of my creative process. She is a strong, independent artist with progressive feminist ideas that I found deeply compelling and perfectly aligned with the spirit of my novel. Her songs, such as “Non smettere mai di cercarmi,” “Passenger,” and “Sempre in Viaggio,” seemed to resonate with the themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of identity that are central to Artemisia’s story. These tracks not only provided inspiration but also seemed to echo the journey of my characters, adding an extra layer of depth to the writing experience. Listening to Noemi’s music felt like sharing a conversation with a kindred spirit who understood the emotional core of the book.
Ermal Meta – Voodoo Love
The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguisola
Ermal Meta and grand mysterious love
While writing my novel “Sofonisba Anguissola — The Most Famous Woman You’ve Never Heard Of,” I found myself deeply drawn to the music of Ermal Meta, particularly his album Vietato morire. His songs have a lyrical and evocative quality that resonated perfectly with the themes and emotions I was weaving into my story. The melodies and poignant lyrics seemed to echo Sofonisba’s spirit—her resilience, creativity, and the complexity of her life as a trailblazing woman artist in a male-dominated Renaissance world.
As Sofonisba’s story came together I also listened to a young singer from Turin named Emanuele Aloia. The first time I heard his song “Il bacio di Klimt,” it stopped me in my tracks. It addresses the issue of loneliness and isolation — the things I was experiencing and that I imagined my heroine had also experienced when she traveled far from home, away from her family, falling in love with a man who then disappeared.
Emauele Aloia – Il Bacio di Kilmt
Just as music inspires and evokes emotion, it plays a key role in my creative process, bringing my stories and characters to life. The songs and artists I’ve mentioned—Francesco Renga, Modà, Noemi, and Ermal Meta—set the tone and sparked my imagination. I invite you to explore “Dreaming Sophia”, “Waking Isabella”, “Eternally Artemisia”, and “Sofonisba Anguissola — The Most Famous Woman You’ve Never Heard Of” to see how music helped weave the emotions, passion, and beauty of Italy into each story. Let the melodies guide you as they guided me.
I am writing a story about 2 people in love in Italy. I listened to and wrote into the story lyrics from songs that capture the character of a moment. Sofia is very fond of the singing, torch songs, by Mina. A pivotal spark in the story happens when she hears “Se Telefonado”.
Ciao Rob! That’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing. In my first novel, my Sophia sings a lot of Mina and Patty Pravo songs too. Best of luck with your writing! I’m intrigued by your story. A presto! Melissa