music, and writing

[dakegra]

Do you write whilst listening to music? Or do you prefer just the clatter of the keyboard or scratching of a pen?

I'm currently listening to Lúnasa, 'Mean Fomhair' from their self-titled album, having tried various other genres with little success. I have to say it's going quite well.

So, dear writer. What do *you* listen to when writing?

Comments

[nallac.livejournal.com]

I normally have radio 2 or 7 on when I'm coding, but it has been suggested that silence is less distracting. I'm thinking about giving that a try.

[sugar-shrapnel.livejournal.com]

Ooh, Mozart for me or Pachelbel's Canon in D played by Zox on endless loop of loveliness:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J2wN0lq9v7I

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

ha! that's awesome.

[sugar-shrapnel.livejournal.com]

It is, so is just about everything they've done. ::swoon::

[takarosa.livejournal.com]

When I was writing the Inside Novell NetWare series of technical books, I used to write best when I had on old black and white movies.

Now, I find that TripHop (Hooverphonic, Portishead, Lamb...) puts me in the right frame of mind to produce fiction.

[nallac.livejournal.com]

I think that's a bit 'active' (?) to be background music. I wouldn't be able to ignore it enough.

[boliviafang.livejournal.com]

I typically need a catalyst to write. Some little event which triggers an imaginary conversation or adventure which I then need to write about as quickly as possible.

Since that's the case, I write to anything. I never even notice my background. I often write my vignettes in the middle of projects at the office. Or while a television show is playing at night. I think I would find "sitting down to write" with music and wine and fresh quills and all manner of other writerly accoutrement too intimidating.

On the other hand, I often find pictures very inspiring. Here are a few of my latest faves.

Italian alley 1

[Edit: oops, they didn't like me linking to alley #2.]

Italian alley 3

[elaby.livejournal.com]

I listen to Caitirin's music most of the time XD Since we're normally writing together. She's been listening to this one Maaya Sakamoto song called "Farewell Letter" on repeat.

[caitirin.livejournal.com]

I listen to all kinds of things. Right now Sakamoto Maaya's Okitegami is the number one.

[lebeautemps.livejournal.com]

Law stuff requires silence generally for me, especially if I'm trying to be clever at the same time.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I've been listening to a combination of E.S. Posthumus, and Enigma... But it really depends on the pace I want to set for the scene... :D

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

neither link works for me. :(

[san-valentine.livejournal.com]

I prefer instrumental, or mostly so, music. Songs are too distracting. I have a bunch of cds that live on top of my monitor which are my principal 'writing' music.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here, The Wall and Dark side of the Moon
Soundtracks: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon A time In The West.
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Air - Moon Safari
Enigma - MCMXC ad
Silence ('classical music to soothe the spirit and calm the senses')(note: not actually silent)