Music That Makes You Feel
Writing Exercise: Music That Makes You Feel
If you're a writer, a journaler, or someone who just likes to scribble down thoughts when inspriation strikes, I have a fun exercise for you.
When I write, I almost always have music playing in the background. Sometimes it's the soft patter of rain or snow. Other times, it's a song that moves me so deeply I can't help but write something down. I absolutely have that melomaniac streak; I feel through music. It's how I write—how I live, really.
One day, I was watching The Burnt Peanut on Youtube. If you've never heard of him, allow me to explain. Peanut is a gaming YouTuber (not a V-tuber; if you watch him, you get it) with the persona of a peanut and an absolutely unhinged sense of humor (and an equally unhinged chat.) He's hilarious! But maybe not one to play around little ears. Let's just say he and the dictionary definition of "family friendly" aren't on speaking terms.
Anyway, there's this non-copyright song he plays often during his streams called "Bad Habit" by Zaug. If your genre of music is pure, high-energy jam sessions, I highly recommend it.
When I first heard it, I caught myself waiting for him to play it again like I couldn't quite get enough. Eventually, I decided to stop waiting and hunt it down myself. Off to Spotify I went, and the moment I played the full song, something clicked.
A story bloomed in my head, vivid and cinematic, like a movie unspooling behind my eyelids. I grabbed my phone, opened my notes, and just wrote.
Here's what came of it:
Bad Habit
by Van LaCar
inspired by "Bad Habit" by Zaug
Content Warning:
The following story explores themes of addiction, self-destruction, and emotional dependency that may be triggering to some readers.
The sun rose blood-red over the skyline like a smear of fire through the haze. Jacob sat on the curb oustide the club, jacket half off his shoulders, and his head tipped back like he could drink the sky. His pulse still raced with everything he'd swallowed that night: pills, smoke, and laughter too sharp to be real. His body ached, but the ache was almost sweet.
Ari leaned against the doorway, a cigarette between her fingers, and her hair was tangled from the wind. She looked like trouble wrapped in silk, and he wanted her anyway. Always wanted her anyway.
"You're bleeding again," she said, nodding at his knuckles.
He hadn't even notcied the split skin. He laughed, too hard to care, and she smirked like the mess of him amused her.
He should go home. He should sleep. He should walk away.
Instead, he pushed off the curb, stumbling toward her, "Got another?" he asked, nodding at the cigarette.
She handed it over without a word. The lighter's flame flared between them, bright against the dawn, and for a moment, he thought about kissing her instead of lighting the smoke. Maybe that was the same thing. Maybe with her, everything was the same thing: burn, inhale, choke, repeat.
He exhaled slow, watching the smoke vanish into the morning air. "We can't keep doing this," he said, though his voice held no weight.
Ari tilted her head, eyes narrowing in that way that made her both cruel and beautiful, "Then stop."
He almost laughed. She knew he couldn't.
The city hummed awake around them, but it felt like he and Ari existed in their own suspended place. They were caught between night and morning... hurt and hunger.
And though the words no more echoed faintly in his chest, his hand found hers anyway.
END
And there you have it!
If there's a song, or maybe even just one lyric, that stirs something in you, write it down! Let it take shape. Let it make you feel. You never know what story might be hiding in that first note.
I also highly recommend exploring the rest of Zaug's work. It leans a little on the melancholic side, but it's honest. I'll definitely be sharing another writing exercise soon with another one of his songs.
Until next time! Keep wondering, keep creating, and let the night light burn a little longer
Van LaCar
Follow my journey through the Bound Series and beyond on Instagram: @vanlacar
New stories are stirring in the dark.
Stay tuned for Bound by Secrets coming February 2026
Comments
Post a Comment