The Mozart Method
How to Destroy Writer's Block — with Shane Adams
Using the Shane Adams Mozart Method, you will generate 20 to 40 title ideas in under 10 minutes. This exercise is great for when you feel like writing, but are devoid of inspiration.
Let's get started…
Step 1
Your Favorite Songs
List 10 favorite songs whose lyrics are very familiar to you. Ideally, the lyrics should involve a narrator and another character. These lyrics will fuel the entire exercise.
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Step 2
Meet the Characters
You will become four different characters. Use the scenario prompts to compose their thoughts, advice, interactions, and reactions. Click any character to assign them an emotion from the wheel.
Mozart
Letter Writer
The surname Mozart is a compound word from the Middle High German mos 'bog, marsh' and hart 'deer'.
Cleopatra
Letter Receiver
Cleopatra's name combines the Greek kleos 'glory' and pater 'father' — 'glory of the father'.
Gandalf
Mozart's Best Friend
Gandalf means 'wand elf' in Old Norse, from gandr 'wand, staff' and álfr 'elf'.
Oprah
Cleopatra's Best Friend
Oprah's name, meaning 'fawn or gazelle' in Hebrew, is a childhood mispronunciation of her birth name Orpah.
Advanced: Click a character above to assign them an emotion from the Emotion Wheel. This adds depth — how does each character feel? You may choose their gender, nationality, age, disposition, attitude, outlook, quirks, opinions, etc.
Step 3
Mozart Writes a Letter
Pretend Mozart has written a letter to Cleopatra. The words in his message are the lyrics from one of the songs on your list. Choose which song's lyrics Mozart is "sending" to Cleopatra.
Select the song whose lyrics become Mozart's letter
How it works: You already know this song's lyrics by heart. In the next step, the four characters will react to these lyrics as if they were a personal letter. Their reactions and advice will generate fresh language — and from that language, you'll harvest song title ideas.
10 exercises: Each song on your list is a separate exercise. Your writing, harvest titles, and favorites are saved independently for each song. Work through as many as you like!
10 exercises: Each song on your list is a separate exercise. Your writing, harvest titles, and favorites are saved independently for each song. Work through as many as you like!
Step 4
The Writing Rounds
Four rounds, 2 minutes each. Trust your first instincts, forge ahead. No rhymes needed — run-on sentences and incomplete thoughts are OK. There are no right or wrong answers.
📜 Lyrics Reference
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Look up lyrics, then paste below
Round 1 of 4
You are OPRAH
Cleopatra received Mozart's letter and immediately showed it to Oprah. Oprah, a true friend, offers brutally honest advice on what Cleopatra should say back to Mozart.
Consider: What does Oprah think of Mozart? Is Mozart a positive or negative influence on Cleopatra? What important things does Oprah think Cleopatra should say or do? How should Cleopatra treat Mozart?
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Step 5
Title Harvest
Search your four paragraphs for words, word combinations, and phrases that would make compelling song titles. You now have a treasure trove of fresh language to mine.
Your Writing (click to expand, select text to copy)
Oprah
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Cleopatra
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Gandalf
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Mozart
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From Oprah
From Cleopatra
From Gandalf
From Mozart
Selected: 0 of 5
Step 6
Your Favorite Five
Drag the ☰ handles to reorder your top five. Edit titles directly. These are the seeds of your next songs.
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