Struggling Writers discussion
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Listening To Music While Writing
It really depends on what I am writing and how I feel. I try to write 750 words a day (three pages) and this is on anything. It can be a free write or on a school paper or on my latest writing endeavor. I normally shuffle my Pandora stations which ranges from classical to electronic :) Sometimes though I just pop in an Enya cd (she is considered New Age).
Mod
Ingrid wrote: "you are so lucky, then. I tried to only streak for one minor freeverse poem a day (which can range from 2 stanzas, to a meter in length) but that dissolved. I don't like music while writing becaus..."Are you part of 750words.com? That really helps me keep up with my goal of writing every day. As for music, like I said it depends. Sometimes it totally ruins my concentration but most of the times I like it as background noise though.
Mod
*holds hands up to heavenly angels*
do you ever wear earphones with the music while writing?
Mod
I agree. Irene, want to put it on the bulletin board, since you've known about it longest and can explain it better?
Ingrid wrote: "I never knew of a website.*holds hands up to heavenly angels*
do you ever wear earphones with the music while writing?"
It depends where I am :) and YES! It is really actually super cool (I have been out of the loop over there for a while but it should have stayed the same)
Jessica wrote: "I agree. Irene, want to put it on the bulletin board, since you've known about it longest and can explain it better?"Sure! And do we want to do it in the newsletter?
When I was writing my first book (a western), I listened to LOTS of country, western movie themes, and gritty rock n roll. It was super fun, and now I usually create a playlist for each new story I'm writing based on the mood I want to portray.
I'm currently listening to Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey. It's a beautiful song it and it relaxed me while I write.
It definitely depends on what I'm writing. If I'm writing something intense, I usually listen to Red (my favorite band) or Muse, and sometimes Florence + the Machine, especially for this particular WIP.But if I'm writing something romantic I usually listen to some pop love songs.
If I'm writing something sad I generally listen to my favorite classical pieces. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2 especially) has some of the best classical pieces that evoke emotion from me, I've found.
I listen to music most of every day as it is, but I've created playlists on Spotify that I call my 'soundtracks' so I've got the music bundled together that suits the books. Music is linked to everything in my writing as the hero is a pianist and one of the main settings is a Jazz bar. I like to use music to set my mood too!
Some folks need something, something sensory, to push against in order to stay focused. Some folks are unfocused by other sensory input.I used to write to music. Now, nothing. Quiet. Too quiet, actually.
My wife, when she was alive, would peek in and be able to tell if I was interruptable by how I was sitting. She'd be watching sci-fi in another room. Each explosion or laser blast was a lost sentence.
Adam
I love listening to music while writing. So far.. Tori Amos, Sara Mac, and Dido have been really helpful getting me through tough scenes. I think their music is influential for what I'm trying to create and I'm sure that if I were writing something different from what I am, the musical inspirations would change.
C wrote: "I love listening to music while writing. So far.. Tori Amos, Sara Mac, and Dido have been really helpful getting me through tough scenes. I think their music is influential for what I'm trying to c..."Tori Amos is good! I am pretty new to her but I have liked what I have heard.
It sounds pretty sad, but a friend of mine made me the modern day version of a mix tape! She put it together to inspire me to write, bless her. A lot of the music actually comes from the Twilight movie soundtracks, which on paper may not sound great, but in truth, there's some really great music on it and its completely diverse meaning there's something for every mood. I don't always listen to it since my husband thinks its a load of rubbish, lol, so I can't have it on the stereo when he's in the house. :-)
Music is my muse. I am a game and soundtrack score junkie. I add different scores together for each book story.if I get stuck, new music often inspires me.
ShazzyLouLou wrote: "It sounds pretty sad, but a friend of mine made me the modern day version of a mix tape! She put it together to inspire me to write, bless her. A lot of the music actually comes from the Twilight..."I was listening to some of the artists before their music was used in the Twilight music so I understand :)
Kira wrote: "Music is my muse. I am a game and soundtrack score junkie. I add different scores together for each book story.if I get stuck, new music often inspires me."
I am a bit of a score Junkie when it comes to movies too, particularly any score done by John Williams.
i listen to sarah mclachlan when i'm writing my poetry, or when i'm writing it about some-one then i listen to classical music like bach, mozart, strauss, wagner and many others
Erie wrote: "i listen to sarah mclachlan when i'm writing my poetry, or when i'm writing it about some-one then i listen to classical music like bach, mozart, strauss, wagner and many others"Her stuff is really good :) Check out Loreena McKennitt (they Highway man is really good, she takes the poem and puts music to it)
Erie wrote: "i knw i love tht poem"Me too!
Yes, I listen to music while I do everything. If I'm doing homework, I'm listening to music. If I'm putting up laundry, I'm listening to music. If I'm on GoodReads, I'm listening to music. So, yes, if I'm writing, I listen to music. It doesn't help me, but it doesn't hurt me, and it makes me feel like I'm not alone in my room which actually will make me sit there longer. I have a pretty standard playlist that I always listen to. Natalie Grant, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Batistelli, newworldson, Electric Light Orchestra, the Beatles, school and church choir, Michael W. Smith. It all has words but I don't mind, it doesn't distract me. Sometimes I'm doing something and I just start singing or I stop whatever I'm doing to listen to a song. ;-)
Mod
same. writing and music are my life!:D
;-) Totally agree. It seems that the only time I'm not listening to music (besides when I'm at school or somewhere else where I can't) is, 1) When I'm asleep. (although sometimes I slip my mp3 player and speaker into my pillow, once I actually fall asleep I can't hear it any more.)
2) When I am eating. (because I'm in the kitchen)
3) When I am singing, because I am making the music, not listening to it.
;-)
Anything that fit the theme, from opera to rock as it helps me get into the mind set of the story
I'm like Kathryn above - music to fit the theme- though found this website that plays whatever genre you like...and ..it feeds you new ut similar sounds you can vote for or against. Songza is a great modern mixed tape you can alter at will. Check it out. Though, if its raining outside, that in itself can be the impetus of any thoughts to page.
I just generally log onto my pandora account and keep the volume moderate so I can hear the music, but still be able to think.
Lately I've been listening to music while writing :) I used to find it very distracting but, the right music can actually draw out the right emotions for your story. I suggest using music that you can get lost in rather than anything loud and hyper. And also it helps if you keep the sound down and let it be background music.I like to listen to the indie music on Soundowl, but I think will try out Pandora too :) If I'm writing about something fantasy related I like instrumental soundtracks from fantasy films and games. Eg. Final Fantasy OSTs or the Spirited Away or Howls Moving Castle OSTs. And also, I like classical and foreign language music because you can get lost in the music but not get distracted the words.
Currently on my writing playlist I've been obsessed with these songs:
Mr Little Jeans - The Suburbs
Active Child - Hanging On
Outro - M83
Genesis - Grimes
Fineshrine - Purity Ring
Lofticries - Purity Ring
I follow Rivers - Lykke Li
They put me in the right mood for the story I'm writing at the moment.
:)
I personally love show tunes- musical soundtracks! There is one in particular I listen to the most: Story of My Life. It isn't well known because the show was unsuccessful on Broadway, but the music is great as is the story itself. One of the two characters is a writer, so some of his songs serve as great muses and help maintain a steady flow in my writing.
As several others here I listen to music at all times. I usually listen when I write as well, but it is crucial that the music fits the story so that it inspires me, rather than dragging me into a different state of mind than is needed. Music really helps me focus, it allows me to block out my surroundings more easily, and if I am having a hard time getting back into my story on a bad day, music can throw me right into it. The type of music really depends on the story and the emotions involved, very often it is instrumental. Some classical, but a lot of OST from movies and games, and just music I stumble across. I wrote an entire short story just based on one song on repeat from the first Fable game. For my current story I have many songs in its playlist, but I mostly listen to music by Susanne Sundfør. Her sound just fits the story perfectly, and has inspired a lot of the key scenes.
I have to have some sort of noise when I write. I attribute it to either ADHD or just a way to quiet the multitude of thoughts and focus on only one.I typically listen to anything when I read, I pick a chart on Rhapsody and just let it go be it classical, country, rock, hip hop, etc.
Normally I have a hard time listening to music that has lyrics when I write. I tend to start thinking about the story the song is telling and not the one I am trying to put on paper.I tend to listen to Jazz or Classical as I write and depending on the storyline, as Nordlys mentioned, the music needs to fit the tone or tember of the story I am writing. When I write sex or love scenes I tend to use Keith Jarret's Koln Concert, a wonderfully errotic piece of music. I would recommend it to anyone for a rainy afternoon in bed with the one you love.
K.
I usually prefer music without a lot of words. Movie scores are great for when you are looking for a specific tone or energy in your writing. Besides the old standby of John Williams, I love Thomas Newman (Shawshank Redemption, Scent of a Woman, Finding Nemo), Graeme Revell (The Saint, The Crow), Randy Edelman & Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans), Seamus Egan (The Brothers McMullen), and Rachel Portman (Emma, Chocolat).
I enjoy writing in coffee houses, so headphones and good music can be key to being productive. I agree with others in that songs can help keep the writing moving forward with inspiration. Personally, I develop a playlist for a particular short story or section of a novel. I'll repeat this playlist ad nauseum - and go back to it every time I'm working on that story / section. It can be hopeful to rekindle the original mood I had when first writing that part, especially when its been awhile (after a break or working on another draft or editing). I even try to keep track of the playlist I use for my stories so I can remember what inspired me. Obviously, the key is finding something you're not going to get sick of right away. I used to think I needed to listen to songs the were not heavy on lyrics, however I've discovered that the key is just finding the right song that will not distract you and rather set the mood or frame of mind.
Yes, I also feel that way. Words don't distract me that much.
I like listning to music whilst writing, without anyone singing lyrics (so background music). Film tracks like the music for Twilight and The Lord of the Rings films i tend to put on in the background. The only song which is sung that i love is "may it be" by Enya ~ beautiful.
Lucinda wrote: "I like listning to music whilst writing, without anyone singing lyrics (so background music). Film tracks like the music for Twilight and The Lord of the Rings films i tend to put on in the backgro..."If you haven't checked out Enya's other music you may want to. A lot of her songs do have words but I find because they are in another language or are so one with the music it isn't distracting.
Lucinda makes a good point. Although I can listen to songs with lyrics. It has to be the "right" song. The lyrics can't be distracting. The music has to fit the mood, scene, section. My mind has to be able to seamlessly travel in and out of the song (back and forth between my story and the music). When I'm looking for inspiration I might mentally pull back and fell the song for a while and then, reinspired, dive back into the song. That's how it is when everything is working well.If you like heavier "rock" music I have found the music of Mogwai (http://www.mogwai.co.uk/index.php) and Explosions in the Sky (http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/) to be a great source. No lyrics, but moving music - and not like guitar soloist type stuff. Songs that just work without lyrics.
I try to mention what music inspired me on my blog. I love music. I mostly write with headphones on.
Thanks Ryan! I'll definitely use those two links!I also use Songza.. though that's more mellow as it is fan created song lists but gives you options of other bands you may also like.
I love listening to music when I write stories, mostly with earbuds plugged in my ears.
I usually listen to rock/indie/good pop music, but never create any playlists for the chapters.
I usually listen to rock/indie/good pop music, but never create any playlists for the chapters.
It's funny, this topic popped up on facebook the other day. I tend to have the TV on in the background with something on that doesnt matter about me missing it. Its purely a quiet background thrum going on. Sometime the silence of a room can be too overpowering and there has to be something to break it up a little. :)
I can't really listen to music whilst writing, I end up singing along to the song and then I loose my 'Train of Thought'.
It depends on what I'm writingSometimes I like complete silence. I usually do that in those intense moments when one of the characters dies, gets hurt, etc.
Sometimes, my characters are actually playing music. For example, in my novel, my characters pretend to be touring musicians. They often play Mozart's Sinfonia Concentarte in E-flat Major - so I listen to that while they play it
I once wrote a story based on the plot of an opera (Tosca). Since I know what the original characters are singing, I would listen to it, and change the wording so it makes sense in the context that I provieded. For example, my character wouldn't say, "Tosca, you are finally mine!" if the character's name is Antonia, not Tosca.... but if I forgot what one of the characters said, I would listen to it, then write it out... for example, "Nego, nego! Vi sfido! E rido anchor...", I would write, "...and I am still laughing at you - but I defy you! It is all false, I deny it!"
I still use my OneRepublic pandora station. I've had it for so long that it's perfectly tailored to always suit my writing mood :)
I just use good 'ol Pandora. I've made a separate station just for writing music (generally One Republic and Muse). I also made a playlist on my iPad and sorted my quieter, more relaxing songs to write to.