What Music Do You Write To?

Ok. I thought of posting this in the "What Are You Listening To" strand, but I think it's more relevant here.

I'm writing a fair bit these days, but had a bit of a block for a few days, and was generally unenthusiastic about writing in that time. But tonight... it may be the drink... but I am having enormous fun putting down words on cyber-paper, and I blame the music I'm listening to. It's the Arctic Monkeys' album ("Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not"). It's definitely not a sexual album like Marvin Gaye or Madonna or Prince or Goldfrapp might produce, but it seems to hit the spot.

So I wondered. Authors, experienced or new, what do you listen to when you're writing?

Q xx

Typically speaking, I can't have music playing when I write. It's too distracting. I've tried, but I find I need the room to be quiet. Typically, I need to be alone, too. I've done a lot more of my writing when the house is empty than when anybody is near me. I think it's because it's a personal activity for me.

I seldom write without music.
I want something big, like the soundtrack from Pirates or Zorro, maybe Within Temptation. Then days all I want is Contemprary Christian. My family groans when I get on a one song kick, Behind blue eyes or Holding our for a hero.
Music makes my fingers move freely and calms my spastic mind.

Oo babe, "Behind Blue Eyes" is a fine song, but that whole album ("Who's Next" by The Who) is music to write smut to, particularly the opener ("Baba O Reilly") and the closer ("Won't Get Fooled Again").

I can't say "Holding Out For A Hero" gets my creative juices going, though! Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Q xx

I've been a musician a lot more than I've been a writer. Music has always been something I've used as an outlet and a method of relaxation. Sometimes I want to write with no music - if I get in a certain "zone" where ideas start to really come, I make a point of trying to remove any potential distractions. But if I'm drawing blanks, I'll just run through my usual playlist of a couple hundred tracks I like all for various reasons, until something hits me.

Like Timberwolf, i usually need no music when writing, just alone with my mind and its thoughts. But when in the mood Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Waites, most often a quick reality fix from Billie Holliday's Strange Fruit.

For erotic and exotic writing, Portishead and Tricky

I think without music, I just think too much. I need something that can draw my attention from "What should I be cleaning instead of writing" Smiles.
I always feel like I'm eating chocolate or doing something dessertish when I'm writing.
The music centers me from my mom/wife life to my writer self.

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I can't say "Holding Out For A Hero" gets my creative juices going, though! Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
Qmog

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Somedays it floats it real well then others I need my Blue eyes fix.
Smiles

Depends on the tone of the piece I'm writing, really. I almost always have music on; I find that it fuels my creativity. If I'm writing a dark, moody piece, then I'll usually have something with a thumping bassline; if the piece has a lighter, more fun feel to it, then the music follows accordingly. I listen to anything from Dido to Queen, from Led Zeppelin to SheDaisy. Right now it's Depeche Mode, "Master and Servant". Go figure. :rolleyes:

When I write..it has to be quite...no kids, no one. Then I sit down and listen to the voices in my head. ;)

No really...I can't concentrate with music on. Now, if I am having a problem that needs worked out or something on my mind. I listen to Nickelback. Needless to say...or not so needless to say..I've been listening to Nickelback's CDs a lot over the last few months. Someday and not too Far Away....Good Times will come again.

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I always feel like I'm eating chocolate or doing something dessertish when I'm writing.

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Oh I like that thought!:) I too get a great feeling out of writing, especially when it all flows, and you are not distracted by other thoughts.

I tend to need quite when I write, which is opposite to almost all other times when I love having music on.

I can't write without music. When it's quiet I tend to over-analyse, which never helps!

I tend to shy away from overly dramatic music, and stick to Loud. angry, fast, with sing along anthemic choruses.

Usually I'm tuned to Woxy.com, but sometimes I'll use Azure Ray or Stars if I need something mellow to get the mood going.

What a cool thread. Quite a bit of my writing was done with great tunes in the background.

The tongue in cheek, descriptive parts, when my mind needs a bit of shock treatment, Pink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, ZZ Top, etc. come to the rescue.

The darker parts are hard to write but groups like Portishead usually work. But, I like to share music with other writers...it does help bring the creative parts to the surface.

Also, I write naked, with my collar on.

I'm a bit all over the board when I get into a mood to put
words to story or even in making a post itself.

Sometimes, Nirvana, "Heart Shaped Box" kicks ass, maybe some
Nickleback, Live, Creed, even going deep to gather some classic
tunes from "The Doors".

"Ted Nugent" has a way of bringing out the beast at times too. LOL

AC/DC, come on baby, you've been "Thunderstruck".

You know damn well what I mean. Ha Ha Ha Ha