I was writing my book the other day and I realized a dreadful thing (truly dreadful, I mean, apocalyptic dreadful here, people.)...I have no music in my world. Everybody is too busy to sit down and hit rocks and sticks together to make a tune. They're all off fighting wars and saving the world...selfish people.

So, after a five minute panic, I decided that I could not add music to this world without making my storyline a little complex...music would be one of those things that is saved for special times, but, worry not I said, because I'm a writer...I can write as many books as I want.

I remembered that for the past two months I had been developing the world to a novel I want to write (I'm doing major development before I start writing this novel, because I want it to be epic.) and how I had not decided on really anything about this world. So, naturally, I thought I would create a world based on music. What does this mean exactly?

Well...what do you think of when you think of a world based on music? My first thought was that music would be a natural thing. They wake up to music. Music radiates from the ground. It's as good as air, everything has a song in this world. (The awesome thing is that this would go amazingly with my storyline)

Anyhow, I decided I'd make a thread for two reasons.
-To get any input about this idea. It's relatively new and I wanted to see what others thought of it. I love opinions.
-To ramble on and on about this new idea...
-To...make a thread.

And so that is my idea. A world based on music.

P.S. Did I mention that I'm obsessed with music?

Bethany Faith

I love it! It's a cool idea, Bethy, and I think it would be really interesting!

I love it when a husband and wife have their 'own song.' So for people to have their own songs... I like it!

Thanks, Elanor. I'm glad you like the idea.

I like the idea, too. Probably because I'm also obsessed with music.

Awesome. I'm really glad that it sounds like a good idea to y'all.

I think this is turning out to be a great idea, Beth! More details! More details!

*giggles* Well, right now the only that I have figured out is that I'm going to have a poem before every chapter so the book in itself has a very musical feel.

Still developing everything else, though...

I've shared some thoughts with you on this Saturday. But I'll try and share some more this week when I can.

A book you would be interested in that has a similar idea to this, Bethy, is "Fairest" by Gail Carson Levine. I think you would enjoy it.

Great idea, though! I believe that there is actually songs out there that pertain to specific people. I know some songs, when I hear the lyrics I think, "Yep, that's me. That's 'my' song".

Okay. *puts book on reading list*

Haha, I have a lot of songs that describe me. They're my favorite kinds of songs. I also love songs that describe my characters, those are awesome.

I've thought of creatures that grow or feed on music and harmonious sounds. (Side thought, does this world have dramatic music when stuff happens? ) A whole world is interesting. *thinks of an episode of StarGate* Would it always be harmonious music? Would evil be represented as discordance? (I'm now thinking of Hell sounding like someone playing a violin very,very wrong). How would our version of song and music fit? Could certain songs affect physical things? (i.e. healing, or weather). These aren't just for you, Bethy, only a few basic thoughts to kick off some developmental thought.

I was thinking about the idea of music affecting the physical, but I am still undecided...I've grown lazy and haven't been developing this world.

While I haven't ever considered an entire world built on music, I have considered what magic based on music might be like. There's lots of exciting possibilities, and I rather like the idea. Music already has a magic-like quality to it, transporting our thoughts and imagination. Some random thoughts on music and magic:

A sort of magic where spells must be sung, and making harmonies for group spells allows people to do more complicated things. (I actually started writing one with this system, but haven't finished it. I got stuck halfway through.)

A world where magic can give people temporary powers... like playing a song might give one army the power to defeat another.

An instrument that transported someone to different places or gave them abilities when they played it. In this case it's the instrument itself, not the song, that does things, which is a little different than the above idea.

But if the entire world was based on music, would creating your own songs with instruments change reality? Certainly a fascinating idea to consider. I'm glad you brought it up. It makes me want to look at all those filed story ideas again.

Possibly...I don't think creating a song could change the past, but it certainly could alter the future. Therefore, somebody could create a song that makes their mortal enemy forget they exsist, or something like that. In other words, music could be used as weapon...but...I might have to edit that some because I just came up with it a few days ago.

That's awesome! Makes me think a little bit about the exposition of the Silmarllion (If that is spelled right or even the right book I'm thinking of).

One important thing to consider is if either the music of an area or being effects other objects or if objects effects the music.

If you already have the evil for this book I was thinking maybe a destruction of the music could be the evil (What can be scarier than something you never see). Where music everywhere has lost its sound or quality or is lost because of dissonant noises (like screaming or that low pitched hum you here when there is just silence ). Evil being the absence of music. Maybe you could also have music relating to color like yellow could be like swift chirping of a flute or something. Just putting that out there.

P.S. Did I mention that I'm obsessed with music too?

-Aeleknight!

Oh! That sounds cool! I have an evil person for my world, but I hadn't thought of his power yet...that is a very good idea! I may use something similar to that.

Is he enough to where you could elaborate on said evil person?

Not really. He is a wizard, of sorts, but I do not want to call him that because that automatically gives the idea of a guy with a pointy hat and a scepter that lights up...

Hmm......Something against pointy hats and shiny scepters?

Yeah, I have him partially developed, but the rest I decided to hold off on developing until I'm done with a few other projects on my other book.

Alright then.

Great idea, Bethy! So like... people could have their own songs. Would they choose them at a certain age or would they be given at birth? Maybe the villain of the world would be trying to destroy music? Or bring in scary music! Maybe there would be music torture! Like... pop! I would be tortured if I would have to listen to Lady Gaga or... Rebecca Black!

*laughs* Something like that... I think every sentient being has a song given to them at birth, but....yeah, that's as far as I've gotten.

The idea of each child being given a song after birth for some reasons strikes me as a metaphor for Baptism... probably because my church does infant baptisms... and now my brain is spinning off into metaphorical ways of showing baptism in fantasy worlds. But music is so beautiful and powerful, I could see it as a great metaphor for God's saving grace given to each of us.

*"lightbulb!"*
They are given a new song at baptism!

Hmm..hadn't thought about it that way... *hardly ever thinks about allegory* *ponders this idea*

I don't really go for allegory a lot... but sometimes I write a history and the plot and I look at it and it looks like an allegory...

Haha, yeah, I do that too, Namor. The only allegory I think about is the creation of my world... Any other allegory you see in my books is, nine times out of ten, coincidental.

I many times have a "Jesus" character. And I also had a coincidence of a Judah-type nation.

I like to slip allegorical elements into my stories, but keep them subtle. I enjoy a bit of quiet symbolism. Someday I might try to write an actual allegory, but for now I'm content with being "sneaky" about it.

Indeed, Ardyth, I do not like to put my allegories plain as day out there, I read a book that had a very strong allegory; it almost got to be annoying! It followed the old testement way too closely!

Are you going to use any allegory (specifically creation) in your music filled book?

The story 'tis not formed yet.

Let's form it then. We are talking about Allegory, we need to stay on subject.

Yes, there will at least be some. Definitely allegory for creation...

And actually, the story is formed... Just not the world. So I have the plot (well, the bones of it, I'm a panster...so...just the bones before I write) I just need to develop the world to put the plot in.

I think that music could be used as an instrument of creation if you wish. A certain tune or beat made by the Maestro (just kidding about the maestro part) made for his creation. Maybe? No? No?

* checks prologue * I think, when I wrote the first rough draft I described creation as something along the lines of:

"In the beginning of _____, The Great Musician created our world using the song of creation. With heavenly instruments, he summoned the world into existence. Through different songs he made different races..."

And then I go on to explain the races...etc. Anyways, rough draft...totally worth being torn apart, but it's good to get the idea, I guess.

First drafts are made to be torn apart!

Sounds really cool, Bethy!

That's great stuff!

We are talking about a world based on music! And you asked a question about its allegory and I answered (wrongly as it was but I answered! )

Are you still working on this idea, Bethany?

Define 'working'

It's sort of on hold, since I have a bunch of other writing projects I've been working on, but I tinker with it sometimes when I'm bored and too lazy to work on stuff I'm supposed to be working on.

That counts. Will you post updates, once you have them?

Maybe...if I remember...or...ever get anything done on this world.

It's a good idea, so keep tinkering and see what happens.

Will do....eventually.

Good.

The hills are alive...with the sound of music...Interesting idea, Bethany. Here's a couple thoughts: Because this world is made with sound, you could use certain pitches to shatter ear drums. Would the deaf be like eternally cursed people?

Hmm...not sure. Never quite thought about that... Perhaps, if someone becomes deaf they can see the sounds instead of hear them?

But yeah, I guess that would be considered quite the curse in a world like this... * tipoes away, pondering *

Huh, it would be awfully hard to stalk someone. I mean, imagine walking along and hearing from the ground (in a singsong manner) "Someone's stalking you, someone's stalking you..."

It sounds like an amazing idea! I have noticed in my world that there is a distinctive lack of music...