Including now, when I write, I listen to a form of music. Whether this music is instrumental, or natural (for example, birds singing in the trees), I listen to it as I find it helps to stimulate my brain. Perhaps this isn't the same for everyone, and to be frank, it should scientifically distract our brain into two different sections: the one focusing on music and the one focusing on writing. Then again, when I go into examinations - I tend to have a song in my head (which, unsurprisingly, I revise to also) that helps me, not only when writing - but when it comes to the more linear, academic subjects. My question is then, does anyone else write to music - is it something that really engages you or something that places a massive mental block in your head?
Sometimes. I turn on my favorite classical composers, put on the headphones and try to draw inspiration from it. I choose something that moves me, especially when my mind gets lazy and I notice that my writing is stale and unimaginative. Music can help kindle the creative energy, but it can be a distraction too. I guess it depends on the person.
I don't typically listen to music, but I do the white noise thing. I recently found an app for it that I really like (relaxio) but before I've just looked up stuff like "forest sounds" or "heavy storm sounds" on youtube, sometimes mixing a few together. There are sites for it as well, but I haven't found one I like as much as the app. I sometimes listen to Moonlight Sonata or Clair de Lune, and once a movement of The Four Seasons worked for me (winter, I think?), but music is usually more of a distraction. It helps to have white noise behind it. When I was working on my novel I had this moment where I found myself listening to classical music and drinking coffee as I wrote, and just thought, "Christ, I'm a stereotype"
oh god I orchestrated a fight scene from listening to this song. To me when I write, I listen to certain songs to get a trailer for the book idea in question. Scenes, specific dialog, all of it.
It's really interesting to discuss - I suppose it depends on the type of personality you have. I would think that listening to music while writing forces your brain to focus on two different trails of thought. I know, when doing practical - skilful subjects like Art, or driving - it helps in some way. I just find it's interesting to see how people work.
Usually it's a distraction, but there are those lucky days when I can listen to music and write simultaneously. Classical, metal, techno, whatever I'm feelin. It never works with rap though. I can't listen to lyrics and write at the same time, and it's always a fight between the two for my attention.
Sometimes I listen to music. I have to have something on when I write and I have a large music collection. I tend to be partial to the sixties and those various genres of the period (rock, folk, soul, etc) so I'll quite often listen to that.
Depends on how I'm feeling. My go-to for music to write with is ragtime. Scott Joplin, Ferdinand Morton, J.P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, et cetera.
It helps me to have Warren Zevon on, but I have to turn the volume way, way down, almost inaudible. But complete* silence does me no favors, so I do need that little bit of sound. *the white noise of the fan, passing traffic, the pneumatic wrenches of the garage down the street.
Music helps me ignore the guy sitting next to me who keeps rocking back and forth in his chair. I don't know what they put in his coffee, but I hope there is none in mine.
I’m also a white noise kinda guy. Music distracts me when I write, and influences my writing too much. I will turn on music only if I want a certain mood. I do listen to music while editing though. Mostly instrumentals by people like David gilmour, Buckethead, dream theatre...
As a musician, listening to music will just make me want to play music. Silence or near-silence is the way to go for me.
Same. I can't hear someone like Mark Knopfler without being distracted by either an air guitar or a real one. You'll get there! Everyone starts at the bottom.
I mainly listen to Ambient music when writing, or in general doing any kind of work requiring me to focus.
Sometimes you need a healthy medley, seeing as you sometimes might not be able to capture a mood in silence or are not in the frame of mind to write in certain tones. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=FLVtG30jLWUHkyK_6nvDOYQw While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, I use music quite extensively.
Gah, sadly, I can’t. I also can’t read while listening to music. Makes me sad because these are my three favorite things on earth, but it seems my brain enjoys each so thoroughly, it refuses to partake in any passively.
I usually write best in dead silence. At most I like something in the background like an old movie that I have watched to death.
Have you tried to listen to something without vocals? like many progressive house and trance cds? PS in death, we all have names
I ain't dead yet. There are rules, the first of which your Name Day and Death Day are one and the same!!! Take that GRRM!
