Music While You're Writing?

[Jenelle]

Does anyone else listen to music when they're writing? If so, what kind?

For some reason, Christmas music helps me overcome writer's block... I'm not sure why this is.

[Ben]

I generally listen to film scores while I'm writing, and I usually try to match the music with the writing. Action gets action music, drama gets drama music, and so forth.

[LaVerne]

The band Muse seems to work for me. Love them! :) That and Loreena McKennitt. Wildly different types of music, but it does depend on what kind of scenes I'm writing.

[Judy]

I know I love to read when music is playing...instrumental..symphony..even opera (not in English). I'm sure if it helps me concentrate while I read, it must help you writers as you compose your story.

[Marc]

I always write the 1st draft to music but never when I'm editing & have to concentrate on the detail.

For that 1st draft I compile a selection of music that fits the work and stick with it rigidly. That way when I come back to start writing after sleep or whatever, the music helps carry me straight back to where I left off in terms of where my head is and the tone of the book.

In my WIP I'm actually planning a music link up when the book is published, since music plays an important part in the story.

[Rebecca]

That's an interesting idea, Marc! I don't usually listen to music while writing--too distracting. Definitely nothing with lyrics. I might try scoring some classical and/or instrumental Celtic. Interesting experiment.

[Steve]

Jenelle wrote: "Does anyone else listen to music when they're writing? If so, what kind?

For some reason, Christmas music helps me overcome writer's block... I'm not sure why this is."

Good post, Jenelle. I never listen to music during any stage of the writing process; unless the focus is on the music itself, when I am writing lyrics. Even then, I kill the music after each phrase so I can zero in on the melody and timing and put the words to paper.

Getting back to writing a story, the irony is that there are times when I am writing a high-energy fiction scene that I can hear a guitar-heavy rock soundtrack playing in my head, the beat and rhythm driving the words with perfect timing.

Steve


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