What Music Do You Write To?

[Qmoq]

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

[maddie]

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.

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

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.

[Qmoq]

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

[Timberwolf]

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.

[Dundee]

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

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

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.

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

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

[riverwindsong]

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.

[submissivewife]

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.

[Aussiegirl1]

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

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.

[storm]

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.

[postkdp]

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.

[Nikita]

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.

[Scorpio'sWill2Power]

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