Music and Writing

[Tensleep]

Alright, I don't know if this is how most of you do it, but I write with music. I don't think it makes much of a difference, but I noticed when I was writing DV, I couldn't get the character right without CJAY or one of my many downloads playing.

I also notice that since I switched from country back to rock I don't update my older stories as often.

So I'll ask this - How does music affect your writing? Does it inspire stories? Does it help in any way? Does it just distract the heck out of you until you go and shut it off?

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[latch22]

Wow, music... I vary, but, mostly, I always have music playing. When I read or when I write; instrumental or vocal; anything. I go through phases, though, when I listen to something a lot, or when I just listen to tons of different songs.

Music inspires me more than anything, probably. When I read something great, I want to write something great, and the same is true for when I watch something or listen to something--they all make me want to write.

I have noticed a bit of a difference in what I write depending on what I listen to.

Lately, I haven't been listening to as much, though. And sometimes it can be distracting.

But, still, music is integral... for basically everything. Lol.

Cheers!

[zevie]

I love listening to music! Definitely inspiring. I actually live above a piano studio, so I end up with a bunch of music drifting in whether I want it or not. I definitely get inspired by certain music for certain scenes or mindsets (I’ve listened to Bryan Adams “Summer of ‘69” far, far too many times for “sixties-teenager” lol), but I find if I listen to music WHILE I’m writing, it had better be quiet…if it’s too loud then I get overly inspired by it and will have to do some mad dancing or sing along or just listen to it. I love writing in the dead of night, between 12 am and 3 am, haha. SILENCE. (Except for city sounds.) Except I tend to get a little over-emotional in scenes that I write late at night, which is fun, but I usually have to re-structure and break it up with humour in the morning, haha.

[queenjaneapprxmtly]

I always have music playing, no matter what I'm doing. I can't even do homework or study for tests without it, surprisingly, lol. I find it therapeutic and relaxing, although, yes, it can be distracting at times -- sometimes I just stop and sit there and listen to it.

It always inspires me when I write, though. I'll listen to a certain song when I'm working on a certain part because I think it really sets the mood of what I'm writing, or at least how I see it in my mind. And I have such a diverse conglomeration of songs on my MP3 player and Windows Media that there's always one or two or even three songs to go with something, lol.

I always manage to include music in my stories, too -- I have a thing about that and I always do it. Whatever I write, you're bound to find a song or a reference to a band or something, lol. But I think it really does set the mood and with the music I always see it almost as a movie playing out in my head. :)

[fairlane]

Sometimes I listen to this radio station that plays "classic rock!" and certain songs will suddenly make me feel inspired, just a feeling or something I get from them.

It like it silent when I write, and I definately can't write in front of anyone. I used to write from 11pm til about 1/2am and chain smoke like half a pack (I think thats why everyone is always lighting up cigarettes in my stories). Since having my son I write in 20 minute blocks and chew gum lol.

[printandpolish]

Mostly, I need quiet to write. It's always been like that. My desk is in a loft over our living room -- and I've progressed to the point that if the kids are downstairs watching TV, that's fine, but I can't have music. It's too distracting. Sometimes my husband will pick up his guitar and I shoot him the look of death.

But I love music, and like many of you, I find it inspirational. Sometimes if a particularly tune is significant to the piece, I can have it on -- I wrote a fic in another fandom where one of the characters loved Elton John and I listened to 'Honky Chateau' many, many times.

[maxiekat]

I almost always have music playing while I write. Lately, I've downloaded a ton of music - a lot of oldies, classic rock, country and indie stuff.

I've also made different mixes to write to depending on the tone of the scene. Usually, if it's a Johnny chapter - the music is slow and kind of sad. Those mixes usually have Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Hem, Simon and Garfunkel, Eva Cassidy, Mary Chapin Carpenter, etc. Now, if it is a Dally chapter - well, then it's rock and roll and sometimes a little angry, lol. Examples include George Thorogood, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, etc.

For me, music really does help inspire my writing. If I'm stuck, I find that a song or a set of lyrics can really get the ball rolling.

[Shadow]

I avoid writing with music. I find it to be subliminal in a way.

[Keira]

That's an interesting point, Shadow. Never looked at it in that light.

I usually don't find that music affects my writing one way or another, unless it's distracting in which case I can't write at all(which, lately, has been a lot of the time). When it comes to reading, I have certain artists or cds that make it easier to read certain types of genres or characters. Probably sounds odd, but that's how it works for me. It sets the tone, I guess. You know?

[fosterchild]

fairlane said:

Sometimes I listen to this radio station that plays "classic rock!" and certain songs will suddenly make me feel inspired, just a feeling or something I get from them.

It like it silent when I write, and I definately can't write in front of anyone. I used to write from 11pm til about 1/2am and chain smoke like half a pack (I think thats why everyone is always lighting up cigarettes in my stories). Since having my son I write in 20 minute blocks and chew gum lol.

I have to tell you that when I found FF.net and started reading the Outsiders stories I actually found myself craving cigarettes again! Even smoked a few times, too. Too funny to me since I rarely smoke at all anymore.
As for music, I get inspired by songs....a line in a song usually....it will push a character out of me or a characters feelings (I haven't written fanfics, just orginal shorts for my own amusement). I can't write with music on, though. Or any noise. Too distracting.