‘What am I trying to say?’

It’s almost there, right on the tip of my tongue.

Cue the musical cast recordings, soundtracks, pop and folk music.

If I’m finding it hard to articulate a comment on a manuscript, I find putting on a timer for five minutes normally works and for the other times music does.

Usually, I’ll work in silence if I’m beta reading or proofreading and use music to help me phrase a comment. I let my mind wander intentionally with the comment I’m trying to write in the back of my mind and the music normally helps me to put into words what I’m trying to say.

Whether it’s instrumental music or a song, both will normally have a strong rhythm. All will be familiar so they can either play in the background as I think or I can actively listen to the lyrics if that helps.

I’ll try to match the music or song with the tone of the scene I’m commenting on. If it’s based on characterisation, I’ll use songs to reflect the themes.

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