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I found this trick in a forum years ago about building campaigns for role-playing games. I've used it a few times since, both for that purpose and for the purpose of story writing. I just wondered if anyone else had heard of it or tried anything like it.
Here's the idea...
I use windows media player. Any mp3 player or iPod with a decent library of music will work though.
1) Using the random feature on the device, select a number of songs from your library. The more songs you select, the more complicated things will be. I recommend 6-7 songs for a reasonable length story. Note the songs, preferably in order.
2) Now look at each song individually. Beside the song titles, note emotions and themes that the song re...presents, either obvious or subtle.
For example, Garth Brooks' "Thunder Rolls" is about infidelity, but also about facing the consequences of your actions. It also incorporates emotions like worry, jealousy, and vengeance.
This list of ideas are now plot points. A bigger challenge is to implement these points in order. If "Thunder Rolls" is the first song you found, the story starts with a betrayal, though not necessarily infidelity. That was the story he was telling, this is yours.
If the second song you found was "Ten Thousand Fists" by Disturbed then the next step is a rebellion or riot of some sort.
3) Brainstorm each song individually first, then start seeing how the ideas can be strung together. Stuff may get thrown out, but new ideas might flow as the puzzle takes shape, too.
The big thing is try not to cheat. Don't rule out a song during the selection process because it sounds stupid or outrageous and if you're using them in order, don't move them around. Also, be liberal with the emotions and ideas each song brings to mind.
Any questions, just ask for clarity.
Here's the idea...
I use windows media player. Any mp3 player or iPod with a decent library of music will work though.
1) Using the random feature on the device, select a number of songs from your library. The more songs you select, the more complicated things will be. I recommend 6-7 songs for a reasonable length story. Note the songs, preferably in order.
2) Now look at each song individually. Beside the song titles, note emotions and themes that the song re...presents, either obvious or subtle.
For example, Garth Brooks' "Thunder Rolls" is about infidelity, but also about facing the consequences of your actions. It also incorporates emotions like worry, jealousy, and vengeance.
This list of ideas are now plot points. A bigger challenge is to implement these points in order. If "Thunder Rolls" is the first song you found, the story starts with a betrayal, though not necessarily infidelity. That was the story he was telling, this is yours.
If the second song you found was "Ten Thousand Fists" by Disturbed then the next step is a rebellion or riot of some sort.
3) Brainstorm each song individually first, then start seeing how the ideas can be strung together. Stuff may get thrown out, but new ideas might flow as the puzzle takes shape, too.
The big thing is try not to cheat. Don't rule out a song during the selection process because it sounds stupid or outrageous and if you're using them in order, don't move them around. Also, be liberal with the emotions and ideas each song brings to mind.
Any questions, just ask for clarity.
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