What music (if any) do you listen to while you write? - Writers Forum

Rahvin · 11-25-2007, 07:44 PM

Just wondering...

I mostly write action-type stuff, so it fits nicely with the kind of music I like. Metal works brilliantly for battles. In particular, Sabaton are great for epic fights/last stands/pretty much everything. Power metal war anthems rule.

Just wondering what sort of music you listen ti while you write, or if you do listen to anything. I know people who can't do anything unless there's absolute silence, and then I know people who need music to be able to concentrate.

Truth-Teller · 11-25-2007, 07:52 PM

Stephen King is the latter; and so am I.

I can do both, surprisingly.

Write with noise, and write without noise.

JHB · 11-25-2007, 09:35 PM

I listen to talk-radio. You'd be surprised how much it helps.

Forgotten Abyss · 11-25-2007, 10:35 PM

Usually one of my many mix cds:

Disturbed
Three Days Grace
Breaking Benjamin
Metallica
Iron Maiden
System of a Down
Evanescence
Korn
Linkin Park
Finger Eleven
State of Shock
Slipknot
Paramore
Bolt Thrower
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
God Smack
Trapt

Frabes · 11-25-2007, 10:45 PM

Yikes, ForgottenAbyss. Do you write in all caps, with exclamation points? Do you type with a hammer? I can't think when I listen to that stuff, let alone write to it.

I like to listen to whatever inspires me. Lately that's been Bob Dylan and Bright Eyes. I listen to it before I write, though, when I'm working out what I want to do. When I get going, I tend to tune everything else out, so I just switch it to whatever I can ignore.

Erik Buchanan · 11-25-2007, 10:45 PM

I have about five hundred songs from my CD collection put up on my computer.

Right now I'm listening to the Tragically Hip.

Others include Indigo Girls, REM, Cheiftains, Alanis Morrisette, Bare Naked Ladies, Sarah MacLaughlin, Tom Petty, Wheezer, Sting, Peter Gabrial, Sheryl Crow, Cat Stevens, The Pogues, Nirvana, Simon and Garfunkel, Green Day, Great Big Sea, Lawrence Gowan, David Bowie, Counting Crows.

Basically, whatever comes up. Mostly with this book it's the Tragically Hip.

Futhark · 11-25-2007, 11:15 PM

I've heard that many writers pull words out of the lyrics of the song they're listening to. (God, that sentence makes me cringe.... go away, Editor!) I can't understand that, though. Maybe it's just that I'm easily distracted, but I can't think with someone singing into my ear.

Instrumentals, though, that's another story. My favorite composer goes by the name Lunar, and I'm often plugged into his album Hybrid Awaken while I'm writing. I also like Singing Crane and some of Michael W. Smith's work (instrumental only: can't stand gospel music). Justin R. Durban has some good scores, too. Art of the Sabre is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard. Of course, you can't have an instrumental album without Vivaldi and Stravinsky (Firebird Suite).

I admit there are days when nothing's better than a good block of silence. Well, as silent as I can get with two cats, a dog, and a bird in the next room that won't shut up.

Kittenification · 11-26-2007, 12:47 AM

As far as I'm concerned it doesn't get much better than Pink Floyd, Adam Green, Liz Phair, Bright Eyes, or on rare occasion, the Decemberists.

I like more intense stuff sometimes, but not when I'm writing. I've found that listening to anything to noticeable will really distract me and I don't get ANYTHING done. Thats just me though.

WTFtat · 11-26-2007, 01:40 AM

I usually put my itunes on shuffle and let it go crazy. That's when I'm brainstorming. And depending on which story I'm working on, I change around my playlists. Mostly, I listen to Interpol and if it's not Interpol, it's Beck and if it's not Beck, it's Bush and if it's not Bush, it's PJ Harvey. Just because... that's the order.

Hebi · 11-26-2007, 05:27 AM

i listen to whatever song is next on my Mp3. which for the most part is something in japanese. the bands i have are Against Me! Asian Kung Fu Generation, The Artic Monkeys, Billy Talent, High and Mighty Color, Home Made Kazouku, Hitomi Takahashi, L`arc en Ciel/P`Unk en ciel, The White Stripes, Orange Range, UVERworld, and My Chemical Romance

WriterDude · 11-26-2007, 02:39 PM

I'm currently working on a novel that takes place in norse mythology, so naturally I listen a lot to Manowar. Songs like Swords in the Wind, Sons of Odin, Gates of Valhalla, Battle Hymn, Defender and King Of Kings pretty much says it all.

As for horror novels and stories, I listen a lot to King Diamond's album Abigail. The whole thing is a great horror story about a ghost named Abigail LeFay, who was born dead and possessed her mother so she could be born again. This again wouldn't be a good idea, so her corpse had to be nailed to the coffin with seven silver nails and so on. Sweet stuff, really, and one of the best albums in my entire collection which worringly spans everything from Marilyn Manson to Marilyn Monroe.

For general writings, I listen to a lot of stuff. Evanescense, Avenged Sevenfold, King Diamond and Mercyful Fate (King Diamond is the singer in MF), Manowar, Lacuna Coil, Johnny Cash, Within Temptaion, Nightwish, Nightwish-Tarja's solo album (first single "coincidentally" called I Walk Alone... hm....), old Metallica, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Dio, Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson's solo albums, Tristania,

Shavixmir · 11-26-2007, 03:02 PM

I listen to the collected recordings of Fidel Castro speeches.

Na. Not really. light up light up I have to have complete silence see my eyes to hear myself do something, let alone think.

Well... unless we're talking sex or car driving, I'll be right beside you dear which we're not. But if... no... but yes... well, you know... ya... I've got Snow Patrol on slow up slow up.

Slay Ride · 11-26-2007, 03:46 PM

I listen to pissed off music (ie. Slayer, Behemoth, Cryptopsy,etc.)
It helps tremendously when I write dark fantasy.

Music is cathartic. There is a new book out explaining the effects of music on the human brain.

Malone · 11-26-2007, 03:50 PM

I have around 20,000 songs on my iPod, so I just hit shuffle. It pretty much has every possible genre and most artists. I find rap can get distracting sometimes, though, as I find myself concentrating too much on the lyrics if it's a song I haven't heard a lot before.
Jam band stuff works well for getting into a writing trance without distracting.

GloryGloryManUtd · 11-26-2007, 06:41 PM

I really love listening to movie soundtracks while I write, but I'm not always in the mood. I can listen to most anything on my iTunes, but I find that if it has lyrics, softer rock from bands like Snow Patrol, Coldplay, U2, or Angels and Airwaves work best if I really want to concentrate. Just depends on my mood and the mood of what I'm writing at the time. Sometimes loud and upbeat are the best! v