Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday's Thought: Do You Listen To Music While You Write?

You will hardily ever find me without headphones in my ears or my Pandora station playing while I'm writing. For me, music and writing seem to mesh together perfectly. Not only does listening to music as I write help to block out the outside world--when I have my headphones in, I am even more determined to concentrate on the words that I'm writing. Obviously music is a great tool that filmmakers use to infuse emotion into a scene, so why can't writers as well? I also consider music to be very inspiring, and I often come up with a completely new story or scene idea just by listening to one song.

However, there are many writers who prefer to write in complete silence. Often, when the words just aren't coming as easily for me, I do find it helpful to put my music on pause and focus on the words I'm writing rather than the lyrics I'm listening to.

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What about you? Do you listen to music as you write? Do you find it helpful or distracting?

12 comments:

  1. ALWAYS listen to music when writing. If it helps or not, I don't know but I love it. :)

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  2. I ALWAYS listen to music when I write. I am actually writing a story right that is based off of a song my Matthew West. Music is like my inspiration. It is very helpful for me.

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    1. It's crazy that you mentioned Matthew West! I was just telling my friend yesterday how his songs always inspire a new story idea for me. His song "Broken Pieces" is on the soundtrack of "Purple Moon" actually. =) I agree, music is very helpful!

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  3. I like to listen to music when I'm editing or researching. It's soothing and tends to block out distracting thoughts, similar to what you said. But when it's time to write, it's classical music or silence. No words in the music to compete with the words trying to come together in my head! Can't wait to read your book, Tessa!

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    1. Thanks Katy! I've heard many authors say the same thing, how they can only listen to music with no lyrics while they write. That's very understandable. =)

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  4. If I'm not listening to music, then I find it insanely hard to concentrate. Not good when I'm at school! :)

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    1. I agree! I listen to music while I'm working on schoolwork also. It's strange, because when people talk around me while I'm trying to work, that distracts me. But not having music on for some reason. =)

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  5. I listen to music too while writing! The type of music or the emotion the music provokes depends on the scene I'm writing. For example, I'll listen to a sad sad song to write a so-sad-it-makes-you-wanna-cry scene. Sometimes, though, I just listen to an instrumental or a musical piece. Those are good too. :)

    Tell the World

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    1. Exactly! That's why I love listening to music as I write. It helps to put me "in the mood" for the scene that I'm writing. Thanks for your comment!

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  6. ABSOLUTELY! I've found I can't write without music going. I have a plethora of different songs that go with whatever the mood of the scene I'm writing is. It's amazing what music can do.

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  7. When I was your age I did - but now I find it to be distracting (unless it is classical). No, I am not that old, just always loved classical :-)

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  8. Definitely! I tend to listen to Pandora Radio and the music helps fuel the types of scenes I am writing, be that spine-tingling-exciting or bawl-your-eyes-out-sad. Also, I listen to the BBC Sherlock soundtrack. It is just so beautiful! And I listen to music while I do my homework. Helps me concentrate.

    -Olivia (FlyGirl)

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