I have to have music on when I'm writing. But what does the music you listen to say about what you're writing? And how does it influence your writing? I don't know, but I sure do like to ponder.
Galley Cat created writers' playlists on spotify. And Stephanie Meyer's playlists are famous. Since I'm about to start reading the Magician King, here's a link to Lev Grossman's playlist for the book.
So, what are you listening to while writing today? And why?
I'm an almost ridiculously optimistic person (on the inside - outside is 100% snark), but I find myself listening to David Sylvian's Secrets of the Beehive and Joy Division radio on Pandora. It absolutely does not influence my writing, at least that I can see. But it does serve as an 'engine' that propels my writing.
Over at Waibel's World there was an interesting post about writing and music. Instead of the Ouija board, we use shuffle to determine your musical proclivities. Here's what you do:
Put your itunes (or other digital music listening device) on shuffle and honestly write down the songs that pop up in order. Then match them to the descriptives below.
It's sort of like one of those foldy-things you'd get in elementary school (cootie catcher). And it's never right. But I'm liking this playlist a lot. Might keep it.
Opening Credits: Sovay - Andrew Bird
Waking Up: Struck by the Sadness of Love - dimbodius
First Day of School: Oh Yeah - Ash
Falling in Love: I Gave You All - Mumford & Sons
Fight Song: Steady As She Goes - The Raconteurs
Prom: Tourniquet - Drugstore
Life: Like Eating Glass - Bloc Party
Mental Breakdown: I Wonder Who We Are - The Clientele
Driving: Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
Flashback: Stop! I've Had Enough - Levy
Getting Back Together: Say Something New - The Concretes
Wedding: See You In The Next One - The Verve
Birth of Child: The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon & Garfunkel
Final Battle: Push - The Cure
Death Scene: Sarah - Bat For Lashes
End Credits: Believe- Trans Siberian Orchestra
This is awesome. I wish I had a cool playlist like yours, but I prefer silence when I write. Not very interesting I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI'm so doing this right now!! I'm a bit apprehensive to see what songs pop up.
ReplyDeleteMy writing soundtrack hasn't changed much since college. I need heavy music (NIN, Tool, etc.) to cancel out my frustration so my thoughts will flow to the page. Internally dark, externally optimistic.
I cannot listen to music while I write unless it's a love scene and I need to set the mood. I do, however, listen to music while I brainstorm ideas or world build.. but actual drafting, I need total silence.
ReplyDelete"Holy happy expletive!" You made me laugh so hard with your comment; thanks again for brightening my day!
ReplyDeleteI have a huge folder of "Songs for Inspiration" on my iTunes. I am particularly obsessed with the soundtrack to "Garden State," as it's mellow, funky and quiet enough that it doesn't distract me.