Do you listen to music while you're writing? I like silence during my writing sessions. If the hubby and kids are home, I plug in ear buds and listen to instrumental music on Pandora. I have a short attention span, and can't allow words in songs to compete with the words in my head.
But music inspires me, sets a mood, and tells a story. Certain songs capture the spirit of my manuscripts, and would be on my dream soundtrack. I'll always think of my stories when I hear the following songs:
Book #2 -- I Need You Now by Lady Antebellum, and Amazing Grace.
Book #3 -- Back to December by Taylor Swift, and Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney. If you want to stick around, click below to watch these swoon-worthy videos.
How about you? Do you listen to music while you're writing? And if there was a soundtrack for your story, which songs would be on it?
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I always listen to music when I write, lyrics and all. Depends on the scene as to which band or type of music. Can't think of a soundtrack for my book, but Stream of Passion's "Street Spirit" helped me write a key scene.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to classical music but tend not to while i write these days.
I love walking for inspiration so maybe the bird song inspires my muse?
I'm not sure what I'd have for the music for my story, though :O)
I listen to music here and there. Sometimes it infringes on the scene but other times, like in the love/romancy stuff that I'm no good at, I need some inspiration. I have a song for my second novel that I listened to quite a bit to get into my character's head. It's Behind Blue Eyes by The Who.
ReplyDeleteI can write with our without music but lately I've been listening to it as I write. The lyrics in the background don't distract me. Like you, it gets me in the mood! I like the idea of creating a soundtrack for my book so I'll have to put some thought into this!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie .. sometimes I do .. and sometimes I don't - I'm not too musical, but I love listening to it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend Hilary
I'm like you-- I usually write in silence, or with instrumental music only. But sometimes music interferes with the mood I'm trying to create, so I generally prefer silence.
ReplyDeleteHowever...in my new book, I came across several songs from Josh Groban that fit perfectly. I sometimes listen to them before I start writing, because they actually help me create the mood.
He he. You know it! I have playlists for all my ms. The one YOU'RE reading now? LOL Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's and Firework by Katy Perry. I feel like such a nerd admitting that for some reason. :P
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, Julie. I don't write to music, but certain songs remind me of my manuscript or characters. Someday by Rob Thomas and Dream On (stylistically, completely different, but it's about the message) make me feel hopeful for my MC in Kwizera.
ReplyDeleteLisa: my 4-year-old and I sing Rhythm of Love at the top of our voices in the car. My little boy is a sap, apparently. He also loves Hey Soul Sister and If it's Love by Train.
I always have music playing in my office as I work. I keep the volume set low and it sets a mood for me. Like you, certain songs remind me of my stories. I love the connection between music and emotion and memory.
ReplyDeleteI listen to music when I'm writing all the time. I used to think it was distracting, but now if there's nothing playing in the background the ideas don't flow as well. I don't like lyrics, though--they're too distracting.
ReplyDeleteWith my current YA I listened to music while writing the first draft. But it basically became consistent white noise. During heavy plotting revisions, which requires all of my brain, I need to shut it off. And I love Back to December.
ReplyDeletelove the music...never heard amazing grace sung so awesome and Taylor Swift is pretty big in our house....her music pipes in most days. ☺
ReplyDeleteYuck, I hate country. Some alt-country is OK though.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet tried writing with music in the background. So far when I write I like peace and quiet!
I love this post, Julie! I totally have a soundtrack for my book! A lot of Lifehouse and Daughtry sets the mood for these characters for some reason!
ReplyDeleteI often listen to music (or tv) when I'm writing. I don't create soundtracks though - I just put my iTunes on shuffle and let it go. :)
ReplyDeleteI listen to music, I like classical, but it doesn't matter what it is, I just switch off from what I am writing and LISTEN. Hopeless.. :0)
ReplyDeleteMusic is everywhere when I write. It's playing in the room, it's echoing in my character's heads, and it's moving the plot. My internal soundtrack is very eclectic from Wagner to Snow Patrol.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can tell you and my wife have the exact same taste in music. I do like to listen when I write, but it's usually snobby, Indie Rock.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteI love music to inspire the ideas and themes, but I have to write in silence. I don't even like the talking of my family. I do my best when it is totally silent...
OMG Julie - when you said we were kindred spirits, I had no idea how much! I love country music - recently I've probably listened to The Truth by Jason Aldean about a thousand times LOL! Oh my, you and I should put together a writing playlist:)
ReplyDeleteYes!!!!!! In fact, I just found a song that my MC is going to sing. Music actually helps me create scenes. Ah.....it's magic.
ReplyDeleteI listen to music when I’m creating/writing a first draft, but work in silence when revising…I read out loud when revising. I like instrumental, classical, or great movie soundtracks to listen to for inspiration. I can't listen to music with words because I sing along and get distracted. :D
ReplyDeleteI love listening to music when I'm writing. I have a different album for each book. I train myself so I hear it and I'm instantly in the mood.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to music when writing. I try to keep the process as bare-bones as possible so I can pick it up at any moment and not feel something is "missing".
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I have heard songs lately and thought, "oh that TOTALLY matches the scene when so and so is doing this or that."
I want to have those songs in mind to set the scene in my head.
I usually listen to music while I'm writing but I have some very particular preferences (I actually included a comment about my quirkiness in this regard in a recent blog post!). My current manuscript has two POV characters - a guy and a girl. The gender of the lead singer in the music has to match the gender of the character currently narrating and the mood of the music has to suit the scene as well. My soundtrack mainly consists of Kings of Leon, Bernard Fanning and Ben Harper for when my guy's narrating, and Sarah Blasko, Missy Higgins and Lisa Mitchell (aussie artists) for when my girl's narrating. Peculiar, I know! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe only music I can listen to when I write are the Disney/Pixar movies my daughter watches. I can tune those out. Otherwise I need absolute silence.
ReplyDeleteI awarded you with a stylish blogger award. I'm sure you've seen these floating around. Up to you if you'd like to play along. I posted instructions and a link your site on my blog. Thanks for your great comments. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to have silence, too - but music does inspire before/after I write.
ReplyDeleteThe coolest thing ever: my brother (a musician) actually composed music to go along with my Graces Sagas and he called it "The Saga of Virginia Kate" - I made him put it on itunes and I made a little youtube video with images - it was so fun to hear something that connected to my work. Just an awesome thing. (and I don't want anyone to think I'm putting this here as "advertisement" for it - I just want to brag on my brother - and i'm not receiving any compensation at all for it - just need to make sure I say that! :-D ).
Angels of Venice's "Lionheart" is celtic music that inspired me to write an opening dreamy scene to the Vk books. I can't listen to that without wanting to rush to my computer and write!
I listen to music quite a bit. Right now, for my current work in progress, I find myself listening to Coldplay "What if" over and over.
ReplyDeleteOther songs: Lady Antebellum "Hello World"
Pink "Perfect" Christina Perri "Jar of Hearts" (for other novels)
I love listening to music as I write, but it usually doesn't inform what I'm writing - until now! Listening to the Whisky Trench Riders at the moment, and all their songs seem to remind me of my hero and heroine! (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whisky-Trench-Riders/187315171308175)
ReplyDeleteI like silence or I'll listen to LOTR soundtracks. I find stuff with words makes it too hard for me to think.
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Hey Julie,
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying about instrumental music: lyrics can be a distraction when I am physically writing! haha. In the lead up my favourite bands can be amazing, but during the act I need to focus entirely to get in that zone.
I actually listen to an Icelandic band a lot (Sigur Ros) while i'm typing away, which has the advantage of being incredibly moving and inspiring, with lyrics in a language I will never understand. Win-Win!
I usually listen to my favorite music. It doesn't have to have a certain theme, but it has to be what I love.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm doing major editing, I need silence to catch all those mistakes.
You and I could write well together--in a silent room. LOL I absolutely adore music, but NOT when I'm writing. I have to listen for the rhythm of the words, and the rhythm of the song gets in the way. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome post... I prefer quiet most of the time, but find music to be a good change of pace depending on my demeanor at the time.
ReplyDeleteI go back and forth between writing and silence. I used Taylor Swift's Mine a lot when working on Chance Encounters ;).
ReplyDeletebethfred.com
definitely listen to music when i can -- cusco, joni mitchell, anything mood-evoking that fits what i'm writing. btw taylor swift is quite the talented songwriter. and so young!
ReplyDeleteI love listening to music when I'm writing. Certain artists just seem right for certain novels of mine. I love it when I find one that is just perfect! Your choices are great by the way. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, too! I need total silence or I start to sing along! Ha! :P
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm in the silence-loving group. I like complete silence. I'm lucky to live on a quiet dead-end street in a little beach town where I only hear the wind and the waves and sometimes some happy kids playing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carol Riggs that music interrupts the rhythm of my characters' words. Sometimes when I'm editing, or the kids are having too much fun, I'll put on classical instrumental music, but never anything with lyrics.
Music helps spark ideas and my creativity, but once I get down to the nuts and bolts of writing, it's either silence, chamber music, or some of the brain sync mp3 I've purchased.
ReplyDeleteWrite now...HEH HEH...I mean right now, I am listening to quite a bit of Daft Punk. My character is really into the music. Good thing I like Daft Punk as well!
ReplyDeleteI listen to music when I am plotting. But when I start writing, I need silence as I can get easily distracted. So no music then.
ReplyDelete