I'm just wondering if you prefer musical accompaniment when you write or do you prefer a library-like silence? If you prefer to have music, what do you listen to?

I've found I can write either way, but I think I write better when I have a little background music. Lately, when I'm writing, I've been listening to albums by Bic Runga, Norah Jones and a compilation I made of Blues, Jazz and other chill-out music.

Anyone else?  

I write at work with the low drone of voices on phone calls all around me. Not that I prefer it that way, I just don't have a choice.

I write with my music on. Depending on what scene I'm doing.. If it's an action scene I'll play my rock music or heavy metal. if it is a love scene I play soul or rap. When I'm writing dramatic sequences I listen to soft rock...

Dead silence, preferably very late at night.

Bert, that would be my other preference. When I am inspired at home, it is always after midnight, and often around 1am. Probably because my mind is more lucid around those times...

I listen to a little Beastle Boyz and some John Mayer, maybe a few Emo bands with a dash of Punk rock.

Quoted from George Willson I write at work with the low drone of voices on phone calls all around me. Not that I prefer it that way, I just don't have a choice.

I try to write at work, when I can, also... I figure it's the only way I'm ever likely to get paid for doing something I like!

I use some orchestra, usually some good blending sounds of the orchestra help me, but if not that then a library silence. Also I listen to the T.v when it is on, which calms me down(don't ask) lol.

I listened to my goonies soundscore when writing my script, because it reminded me of the tone of the film which helped immensly.

When I write poetry, I like to listen to rap when I'm angry and enya/opera when I'm totally at peace and happy.

I always preferred to write during the day myself, once it gets past 10pm, my brain gets too tired to really focus. I have the luxury of living on my own so I don't have the distractions of family or kids.

Andy  

Depends on what I'm writing. I actually put together soundtracks for my scripts (if you like I can show you what I mean), generally ranging between 13 and 15 songs, some licensed, others from other scores, some classical, it just depends. Once I've settled on a soundtrack I pick certain songs to use for different scenes. Each scene has to have a distinct feel while keeping the overall tone of the script itself. That's why one of the first things I do is pick a theme song of sorts, that lays out the tone.

Generally, it's loud stuff (Rammstein) or stuff from a few of my favorite composers (Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Wiliams). I have a stock playlist I draw from sometimes that is just a bunch of songs I think have a good apocalyptic feel to it.

Trust me, it would make sense if you saw it.

I never listen to music when I write. I think if I did it would be non-vocal, maybe a film score.

My job is quite relaxed and it involves writing so no-one would think it strange to see a screenplay on my monitor, but for some reason I can't focus on my own writing in an office environment.

My best work comes to me in the dead of night, and in silence.

I make soundtracks too, and I just listen to the soundtrack of the script I'm making

I listen to music all the time, but sometimes if I'm concentrating really hard, the music irritates me. But mostly, if there's a part I'm writing that's really angry and hateful, I'll listen to Linkin Park or some other rock bands. Sometimes, music gives me hints for the pace and feel of a script I want to write.

I listen to music that goes with the mood of the scene (lately a lot of Delerium, Conjure one, Balligomingo, Rocketbob). Instrumentals are a must. Current aid to my evil writings: http://www.robertduncan.com
He very thoughtfully allows the public to download his scores for different film moods.

Yeah I always listen to Heavymetal, Korn, Slayer, slipknot, hopefall, hammerfall etc etc. But hey I'm a Goth so the music helps me out a lot when I write, somethimes I need the silence of a dark room.

I mostly write in silence at insane times in the morning but if i feel need for some kind of kick, I will play some instrumentals. Any thing that will fit the mood Im in at that time and then I'll get back to writing.
I never write listening to music at the same time.

I write in the echo of my head most of the time... but when I feel that I need a spark I'll pop on some of my own music from my own band "Shadow Strong" or listen to some --

Matthew Good Band
RazorLight
Flickerstick
Echo & The Bunnymen
Social Distortion
Third Eye Blind
U2
RadioHead
The Killers
Elliot Smith
David Bowie
The Shins
Sigur Rios

And some other stuff in the mix, but I just slap a handful of songs from the above artist on random and get out from behind the 8 ball...

I haven't been writing long enough to say this for sure, but I can do both. sometimes I prefer complete concentration, but sometimes I just have to listen to the great songs I have.

When I do listen, it is almost exclusively The Beatles music. I have the vast majority of their songs on my computer and am quite the Beatle nut.

Apart from The Beatles, I like some other oldie music, but nothing modern.

i listen to Jeff Bucklet ysongs..lots of instumentals..great lyrics

I listen a lot of Country Songs. They're generally full of life, have a story and a lot of feeling. Otherwise, I love Jazz and Classical.


Michel

Great Gig in the Sky on loop. Pink Floyd struck gold with this song.

I always listen to some music while writing... it's either metal with good atmosphere (Savatage, King Diamond, Sonata Arctica, Týr, Helloween... it depends on the mood) or soundtrack music (Mean Creek, Sleepers, Sign, The Village, Titus, etc, etc...) or classical stuff (I love Mozart's Requiem, Tchaikovsky, Samuel Barber, Philip Glass, Sergej Prokofiev...)

When I'm writing just for practice or the hell of it which is more often than not, I tend to play music.  I basically hit shuffle on itunes for this unless I just got new music, but I tend to write best to mellow stuff like Norah Jones, the Shins, Grateful Dead, and Radiohead.  Other stuff that inspires me is Creedence Clearwater Revival and Aesop Rock (the best rapper I've ever heard).

When I'm doing more serious writing, I get pissed at even the slightest sound and most of the time I'm shaking my fist at my house for being so creaky and noisy at night.

-Pat

I work in silence.

I get inspired by music.

But I work in silence.


With the exception of my grand sci-fi/fantasy epic which I'm also writing the score for.

I hate silence.  I always have the radio on or I've got music playing on my computer...excellent music, might I add.  

Excellent music can mean anything, Greg. What kind of music?

Ehhh, classic rock.  You know, Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, etc.  Stuff like Audioslave is excellent too.  

Quoted from greg Ehhh, classic rock.  You know, Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, etc.  Stuff like Audioslave is excellent too.

Yes (Agreeing, not naming the band), Stones, Zep, Beatles, Hendrix and I also don't mind Audioslave or SoundGarden.

I usually listen to ESPNews while im writing, yes bizarre but i need to have some sort of background music, usually it isnt music though ESPN is my favorite option, i listen to music constantly when im brain storming ideas but the music type usually depends on the type of story it is im writing.

I like to listen to this when I'm writing

http://cfleo.com/media/10_Vangelis_-_Comquest_Of_Paradise.mp3

I can't listen to music while I write. I don't know, I just can't focus.

Music scores, depending on what I'm writing.  Recently it's been this orchestral score to Phantasy Star and some older Jerry Goldsmith.

I always listen to music while I write. Mostly EBM, Industrial, Synthpop, Dark Wave, Aggrotech, etc, etc.

To name a bunch of bands: Tactical Sekt, Dawn of Ashes, Hocico, Covenant, Seabound, Clan of Xymox, Feindflug, Emergence, Imperative Reaction, Icon of Coil, and some Tiger Army when the mood strikes me.

Usually, I don't really DO country music, but I got to listen to Rascal Flatt's "Take Me There..." It's a great 4:26 minute lesson on developing depth behind your characters...Not a bad song, either.

I don't usually write with music... But, when I've written something that has evoked within me some kind of strong emotional response, then I will sometimes use music as I rewrite something.

There seems to be different layers within the craft of writing.  When I'm working at some levels, I feel that music is an intrusion; however, at other levels, it feels to me as a catalyst and contributory to the experience within myself and the work.

Do what you feel is right for yourself.  Some people feel they absolutely need music in the background... gosh, it must have been tough in the days before radio.  

Sandra

Depends on what I'm writing. If it's a sort of aggressive action sequence then I put on Bionic Jive or Smile Empty Soul. Other than that I can pretty much listen to anything.

I'm all up for music. I listen to anything from country, to pop, to Broadway. I've been listening to the Sweeney Todd revival a lot lately.

I know a guy who listens to soundtracks while he works. If he's writing a horror, he'll put on the Halloween soundtrack. If he's writing a comedy, he'll put on a comedy soundtrack.

I'm almost always listen to music or talk radio while I'm on my computer, writing on my computer is no exception.

Besides that though, I find listening to music while writing a great tool, if not (for me) necessary. It sets a mood, an atmosphere, I think it helps breath life into the page. It can help create a sense or rather feel of the scene, it helps create a pace.

Also, when the music and the content of what you're writing really connects I feel like everything begins to flow, or groove, it's difficult to explain. Maybe I can liken it to playing a musical instrument, where the keyboard produces words instead of notes yet still sings with the music (I almost mean this in a literal sense), its magical.

I'm curious if any of you have similar experiences? I've talked with a friend of mine about it, he thinks I'm crazy, but he like some of you can't listen to music while he writes, so I guess he wouldn't get it.

Anyway, I wrote about 90% of GBS listening to these four songs:



  





sheepwalker

When I'm writing my type of Horror (Lovecraft kind of stuff), Tool is an awesome band to build up an atmosphere for it in you head. They're one the few Rock bands today that can actually be taken seriously. Kick-ass riffs combined with awesome vocals, multi-meaningful lyrics and a great atmosphere make for the best Rock band there is today.

Their music videos are just as creative as their music and also great to look at and they are sure to inspire you one way or another when writing weird fiction. (Youtube "Stinkfist" "Aenima" or  "Schism" to catch my meaning).

Outside of Horror, I rarely listen to music when I write.


--Julio

When I write horror/violent stuff I always listen to 80's pop ballads and 70's rock.

I like music that works against the images on screen, instead of being obvious (sad songs for sad moments, happy songs for happy moments, Pantera for action scenes).

It creates tension in itself, so I like to listen to music that mirrors that.

Straight up Silence, anything else throws me off.

Usually a film score, Goldsmith most likely. Or some Tangerine Dream. But no rock, pop, nothing with lyrics.

I'm a fan of chilled out music when I write. I pretty much have to write with music but if the music is busy, I will get distracted. So my preferred music is stuff like Portishead, Erykah Badu & Yesterday's New Quintet.

There has been a few times when I writing horror or something angry and I 'll feel the need to toss in Slayer's 'reign in blood'

I mostly listen to Joe Purdy when I write but for some reason or another I've been listening to the Prison Break score a lot lately.