Music is a gateway between our psyche and our deepest emotions. We are defined by our taste in music, because it reflects the frequency of our nature. Many of the most important and unforgettable experiences in life are accompanied by a song, lyrics or a melody. And hearing music you don’t like can drive us nuts! But needless to say, the world would be a sad place without it.

The young authors in this edition have captured the gravity of music in various ways. Words and music have gone hand in hand since… well since I don’t know when, but the words you are about to read will hopefully sweep you away like a good tune!

Hum was sitting on stage behind the big red velvet curtain. He was thinking how embarrassing it would be to go on stage. He hoped the conductor was sick so that they didn’t have to play that night.

Hum hated it when John spat on him. John was the flute player. And he hated it how every day he had to go to this horrible show; he wished that he could get up and run away.

Then he heard a loud cheer from the people on the other side of the curtain. The applause signified that the musicians were coming out on stage.

John picked Hum up and played him.

What do you like about writing?

It’s quiet and peaceful.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

I look out the window.

What have you learned coming to Creative Write-it?

How to be a better writer.

What’s your favourite song?

‘Let Me Down Easy’ (Gang of Youths)

Everybody knows about the room. The room you can’t ever go near. They don’t just know it because of all the signs around it saying stuff like ‘beware!’ and  ‘danger!’, but also because of the myth that it holds. People whisper about it, dare each other to go near it, but not a single person gets past the last sign. Everybody knows not go into the room, but nobody knows why.

Of course there’s rumours,  when isn’t there? But nobody bothers to believe them anyway. Sometimes people will try to convince me that their friends-cousin’s-roommate’s- uncle went into the room and went crazy. Sometimes they tell me that they died. One person tried to convince me that their sister went into the room and came out as a chicken. When I explained that I just talked to their sister a few minutes ago they stared at me, then ran away.

It all started about five years ago when Robert Smith bought the house surrounding it. He was never seen again. At first people assumed it was a kidnapping, until they found notes in Robert’s handwriting warning everybody to stay away. One of the notes is framed in the museum:

STAY AWAY FROM STUDY! YOU SHALL ENDURE HORRORS WHICH YOU CAN’T RETURN FROM!

Naturally, it quickly became the Mona-Lisa of the museum, with mugs, t-shirts, bags and hats with the note printed on it sold in the museum. Look anywhere and you shall find one of them. People profit off tragedies, and none more than the museum.

The police did try to rescue Robert Smith, but according the chief they couldn’t find anything. People always try to pester the police with questions about what is in the room, but they refuse to say anything. Sometimes the say a long spiel about how it was too ‘horrible’ for any of us to imagine. Sometimes the police laugh to themselves.

Nobody else been brave enough to go into the room. Until now at least. Here I am, standing at the edge of the last sign. I’ve had enough of all this secrecy, of all these rumours, I’m going to find out the truth about the room. Even if it kills me.

I open the door.

As soon as I do I’m hit with this surge of sound, of horror, of pain. I want to walk right out. This is worse than all the rumours. This is… Shoegaze.

I talk to Robert, and learn that he just wanted some practice time, and really never meant for this to get out of hand. He pays the police to bring him food, and hasn’t left the house in five years.

He asks me not to tell anyone, because he’s quite enjoying the time to himself, and is still planning his return to society. So when one my friends asks me “What did you find in there?” I answer:

“Something so horrible you won’t believe it.”

I’m only partly lying.

In the music room with my best friends

A talent show

I heard everyone cheering

The judges were running out of breath

I could hear me playing in flow to the Für Elise

When I was leading my friends for a big song

Scared

Terrified

Cold

The teacher asked us to share one talent

In grade 4 I made a perfect harmony

My parents

My class teacher

My best friends

My piano teacher

Sweating

Describe your own imaginary landscape and character moving through it based on a piece of music.

It’s best to pick a longer song, or perhaps even an album, so that your story has time to unfold. Use the textures and rhythms of the music to inspire the details and events in your world.

Want to share your story? We’d love to see it!

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