Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Write a Song About Some Aspect of a Book

It can be:

The dedication of a book
A single chapter in a book
The whole book as a sequence, e.g., chapter 1, chapter 2
A page or a component like the cover, a paragraph or a sentence
A genre or type of book, e.g., the good book, a comic book, a notebook, a scrap book
A character in a book and developing a larger story

Who is the main character what’s their connection to “the book”? Consider how you might use a book as a song prompt to explore this connection further.
What is the drama associated with the “book” – i.e., the tension? This is a great opportunity to use a book as a song prompt to delve into those emotional layers.
Why is the book so important anyway? Does that create some of the tension/drama? Think how you could use a book as a song prompt to illustrate this importance.
Is the story being told to someone, being remembered, or taking place now?
Where does all of this take place?
Is the place warm, cold, a vacation spot, a quiet place, someone’s room, a bar? Be sure to describe it in detail!

Key = D

Verse: D – Em – G – A (I-II-IV-V)

Chorus: C – Bm – G (bVII-IV-IV) Use this progression as you use a book as a song prompt to inspire your melody.

Need more chord progression to choose from? Use this Guitar Keys And Chords Cheat Sheet along with common chord progressions.

Your Next 5 Steps

First: write for 15 minutes on one of the items (or similar) above

Second: create a song idea from the above

Third: decide on your song plot and key song plot elements

Fourth: use the chord progression to write around

Fifth: use a song you like to write a ghost song off of if you’re having difficulty with a melody line

Elvis Costello “Everyday I Write The Book”