Writing to music.

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by elfdragonlord, Dec 2, 2007.

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  1. Flanders

    Flanders New Member

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    I have always listened to a cd or radio while writing, For some (odd) reason I find silence (white noise) to be annoying...

    I'm wondering if anyone else listens to music while writing,or am I an oddity :confused:
     
  2. L a u r a

    L a u r a New Member

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    Well...that depends. If I'm at an exciting part, a suspenseful theme song from a movie might be helpful. I'd need lots of percussion and a quick tempo.

    However, if I were listening to my iTunes list, chances are that I would get lost in the music instead of in my writing.
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    only if i'm writing about a setting where the local music will get/keep me in the mood... such as when writing a novel set in puerto vallarta, i often had mariachi music playing and for a short story set in greece, i played bazouki cds...

    but never vocals, since the words would interfere with the ones pouring out of my head and onto the paper/screen...

    otherwise, i work well in silence...
     
  4. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    Music doesn't generally help me with writing, unless it's the type that drowns out distracting background noise.

    Actually my Master's degree thesis was on music and journal writing productivity (with high school students).

    If you're interested, the link to the study will be posted below. In general, experience indicates that any music which draws attention to itself, the reader listens to they lyrics or melody, etc, the focus on writing suffers.

    The Effect of Music on Journal Writing Productivity
     
  5. Blood'N'Shadow

    Blood'N'Shadow New Member

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    It helps me. Especially when it's more instrumental than singing. Progressive music helps a lot, at least it does for me. I identify with what you say, when I'm writing I find the silence annoying, so I put on some music with headphones on too. I guess I need the "crazy" mood in order to make myself work. But everyone's different. If music helps you concentrate better, well then I suggest you write while listening to it. If not, well, don't, just write without it. Have a nice day!
     
  6. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    I prefer silence. The rhythm of the music affects the rhythm of my sentences, and I really don't like that. If I do listen to music, I prefer classical, with no vocals, and especially pieces I'm not very familiar with, so I don't find myself humming along.

    But silence is better. I can concentrate in silence, and let my own language build its music in my head.
     
  7. Yoshiko

    Yoshiko Contributor Contributor

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    Without music I fail to stay focused for more than a couple of minutes - this doesn't just apply to writing but to everything. Silence annoys me so much. Plus, I am rarely alone (even when using my laptop I'm usually in the same room as at least one other person) so it drowns out the voices of those around me.

    A capella and ballads are the types of music I most prefer to listen to while writing. However, sometimes I go to the complete opposite and listen to really fast/electronic music instead. Lately I have been favouring Danish, Swedish & Norwegian pop artists to listen to while I write. When I need a change of pace I'll switch to religious songs (Christian and Hindu) or enka and Okinawan folk music.
     
  8. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

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    I like something on in the background. And what I have on depends largely on my mood though, but there are some artists I just can't have on: like Wagner, Tool, and Soundgarden.
     
  9. iabanon

    iabanon New Member

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    I often, but not always, listen to music when writing. I find specific music helps with writing specific scenes. For example, The Matrix soundtrack for action scenes etc. I have found it even helps me to unlock creativity when I've been stuck.
     
  10. joanna

    joanna Active Member

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    Not anymore. But I have in the past. I wrote most of my first MS with Come On Home by Franz Ferdinand in the background on repeat.

    Now I like silence, but if I'm really in the zone, I can write through bulldozers outside.
     
  11. DerickSlade

    DerickSlade New Member

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    Oh yes! I love listening to music while I write but the problem with that is I always have to find a song for the right moment in my story. Kinda gets in the way of my writing when I'm digging for songs for 15 minutes lol. I know what you mean about the white noise.
     
  12. VM80

    VM80 Contributor Contributor

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    Music is my first love, really, but not when combined with writing.

    I prefer a bit of peace and quiet.
     
  13. Jethelin

    Jethelin Member

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    It depends. If a song plays that matches the mood of the story, or the mood that I am in even, it can help my writing to the point of pages flying by without me noticing. Other than that it just depends on whether or not I'm in the mood for music while writing. I do always like some sort of background noise though. Usually a good documentary or TV show off Netflix or something.
     
  14. Kashif

    Kashif New Member

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    Music gets me juiced. I sometimes play the same song over and over while writing a scene if I want that scene to give the reader the same feeling that the song gives me. Sometimes I play the music before I write, and I'll occasionally play it while I'm writing. It just depends on my mood, but great songs are my motivators. The Paramore channel on Pandora gets me going.
     
  15. gala

    gala New Member

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    I was wondering if I am the only person who does this. I love making a 'soundtrack' to whatever I am working on and in some aspects, it makes me more inspired. Anyone else?

    Also - who are your favorite musicians that you use?
     
  16. The Tourist

    The Tourist Banned

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    Oh, definitely Bat Out Of Hell. Every song. It makes my story an opera.
     
  17. schmiler

    schmiler New Member

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    I am exactly the same. I love music and I need it to concentrate and get in the zone. So I usually play my favourite albums or characters favourite songs. It really helps me to just write continuously and at great pace. I do get scared that my book will start to sound like my soundtracks but it doesn't bother me too much because they are great songs :D
     
  18. gala

    gala New Member

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    OMG!! I love the Inception soundtrack!!! Hans Zimmer FTW!!!
     
  19. bradbradallen

    bradbradallen New Member

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    Yes! I love his work! It's like everything he makes is genius. Hopefully, if I write with that on, everything I write will be genius, too :D
     
  20. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    I sometimes make my own soundtracks. I pick up my guitar and make up a chord progression, then add a lead part (I have a multitrack recording system here), and sometimes a synthesizer track. I can build musical moods of my own, layer upon layer, if I want. I guess some part of me always wanted to be Mike Oldfield doing Tubular Bells.

    Anyway, though I usually like to write in silence, if I must have music, I make it myself.
     
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  21. shaylyn

    shaylyn New Member

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    I listen to different songs depending on what is going on in my book. A lot of it fits well with Help, I'm Alive by Metric. It seems to be my go to song when writing these characters. It fits so perfectly with the personality of my book.
     
  22. Traskatter

    Traskatter New Member

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    I love to write to the songs 'Eloi' and 'Stone language' from the Time Machine soundtrack! I prefer to write in silence, but music with little to no words are great for inspiration!
     
  23. suddenly BANSHEES

    suddenly BANSHEES Senior Member

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    I am so glad I'm not the only one who does this! If I like a story enough, or just know enough songs that'll go with it, I'll throw together a playlist to listen to it while writing.

    My current story's playlist seems to be mostly Passion Pit, The National, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Also a little David Bowie and Bjork, because it's a story about aliens, and that just felt appropriate.


    I wish I was as creative as minstrel, though, oh man.
     
  24. Endovert

    Endovert New Member

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    My writing music is usually (but not always) composed of songs without lyrics. For the most part I end up singing along if there are words, and that just leads to distraction. I find that the Glitch Mob has quite a few songs that get me to that state we all crave: Flow. The only problem is forgetting to set up the playlist properly and having some other song pop up and ruin the flow.
     
  25. spklvr

    spklvr Contributor Contributor

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    Yup. I have a list on spotify for each of my main stories which plays on repeat as I write. I don't have a favorite musician. It really depends on the story, but it's mostly without lyrics.
     

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