Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

What did y’all listen to while writing your most recent work?

I listened to:
1) New Abnormal by The Strokes
2) Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
2) The “they’re all gonna laugh at you” sound byte from the movie Carrie

I have tried listening to music while i write. Apparently i am only able to do it if i am listening to Miles Davis.

Dalton wrote: "I have tried listening to music while i write. Apparently i am only able to do it if i am listening to Miles Davis."

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is definitely in the rotation for me as well when writing.

I listen to a tremendous amount of musical scores, usually selecting ones that reflect what is happening in my story at the time. Action music, suspense, sad and emotional... you name it. It gives a background ambience that just enhances the atmosphere. It also doubles to shut out the noise from around you.

K.R. wrote: "I listen to a tremendous amount of musical scores, usually selecting ones that reflect what is happening in my story at the time. Action music, suspense, sad and emotional... you name it. It gives ..."

Totally agree. Film & Musical Scores, in my experience, can really set the tone/mood. Also, I've found it can influence the direction of the story.

I can't write and listen to music. I find one or the other takes over. I either stop writing to listen, or I find the music has finished and I hadn't noticed.

I can only write to music without words: classical or jazz.

My series is already finished in my head. It's just a matter of getting it down on "paper" and fine tuning it. My series started almost twenty years ago as stories for my children and just grew from there. But the music tends to take me there, to that world, submerging me in every aspect of it to the point I often lose track of the time.

Absolutely, depending on the mood I am in. It transfers you into the world and the story. But not always sometimes I don't want music. I also see what I write in my head like a movie the music is an added flavour.

I have a whole "focus" playlist that mostly contains electronic music that tends to create a pleasant background without distracting me. I can't listen to music that has any lyrics while writing because I start listening to the words and can't focus on writing :). Most of the time I prefer to write in silence though.

Really interesting to hear everyone's take on this. I'm particularly interested in how listening to music or not listening to music effects the writing. Sounds like everyone has their own process.
For me, I visualize the story like a movie in my head and the music I choose to listen to is what I feel would make for a solid soundtrack for each chapter/scene.

I've been a music composer most of my life, on top of being an author of books and other media. So, I've also written scores for films. For the series I am presently working on now (the baby I have always wanted to do), I actually have an entire score written that I began years ago. That's the music I usually use, as it takes me where I want to go in the story, much like traveling down the road takes you from point A to point B.

K.R. wrote: "I've been a music composer most of my life, on top of being an author of books and other media. So, I've also written scores for films. For the series I am presently working on now (the baby I have..."

That's so awesome! Having that kind of universal control and a hold of the subject matter must be super helpful creating a world.

K.R. wrote: "I've been a music composer most of my life, on top of being an author of books and other media. So, I've also written scores for films. For the series I am presently working on now (the baby I have..."

KR --- That is really cool!
I USUALLY listen to a wide variety of musical genres and write simultaneously; but if I "know the song by heart", then those lyrics are etched into my brain, and, well, the music totally takes over as I MUST sing the lyrics, drop the pen and it's then break-time. --Jen from Quebec :0)

Nathan wrote: "K.R. wrote: "I've been a music composer most of my life, on top of being an author of books and other media. So, I've also written scores for films. For the series I am presently working on now (th..."

It is really fun to be able to immerse myself completely in my work. The funny thing is that lately, I've been judged for only having one book out, but nobody ever asks why, or if I'm doing anything else.

I have worked in this industry for almost 20 years in one capacity or another, but was always writing for other people, editing for other people, etc. Then just about two years ago, I decided to pursue working on my own ideas, and the first book was done and out last year in print. Book two hits the market this winter, and this month, not only is the first book coming to digital, but the prequel is as well. I was simply taking my time and world-building, because I hate loopholes in stories. But I am full-time as an author, and don't work for anyone but myself now. That's a huge plus.

For many years, writing non-fiction, Dire Straits has been my go-to music. Mark Knofler's amazing stories have moved mine along. I find myself listening to instrumental jazz as I write fiction, most recently, the late, great, Lyle Mays. Very interesting topic. Thanks.

My last book was a non-fiction exploration of all of the troubling passages from the Bible which made me throw my faith away after decades of struggle.
I listened to a lot of Slayer and King Diamond at the onset, then as the book progressed, Opeth and Jinjer.
Normally, when I write, I listen to something less demonstrative and without lyrics, movie soundtracks, mostly, Alien being a favorite because it's non-invasive for the most part, eerie but soundscape-y.

The last time I wrote, I listened to John Coltrane's Blue Train.

K.R. wrote: "I listen to a tremendous amount of musical scores, usually selecting ones that reflect what is happening in my story at the time. Action music, suspense, sad and emotional... you name it. It gives ..."

I do the same thing. Musical scores jump-start my brain and really allow me to dive into the world of whatever I'm writing.

I don't generally listen to music as I write, but I do use an app called Brainwave, which uses the binaural beats to help stimulate creativity. I love the ambient noises I can have playing with it, and it helps drown out the distractions of a new puppy and my guy being noisy in the kitchen. If I'm at a point where I feel ideas dwindling, this usually helps a lot. That, and the trickling stream sound (my favourite), is pleasant background noise that doesn't take my attention off my writing. Otherwise, I'd probably choose instrumental music from soundtracks. Movies have some of the best music, I think!

I find game music really useful when writing, I suppose movie soundtracks would do as well, but I always pick music from games I've played and love. The soundtracks from Dragon Age games help me to shut out this world and its distractions. There's such lovely nuance and emotion in most game soundtracks that they transport me easily to different worlds. I suppose it's no wonder I favor those as I write fantasy.

I love to listen to music while writing. But it can’t have lyrics because I’ll get distracted.

Aino wrote: "I find game music really useful when writing, I suppose movie soundtracks would do as well, but I always pick music from games I've played and love. The soundtracks from Dragon Age games help me to..."

That's interesting you mention game soundtracks. I have some friends who are photographers and they've told me they listen to game soundtracks when developing their photos.

Lily Reads wrote: "I love to listen to music while writing. But it can’t have lyrics because I’ll get distracted."

That seems to be a reoccurring theme with a lot of people I've talked to on here. I will say, I have found listening to jazz really helps put me in the zone when it's time to dive deep into a chapter or story.

I don't listen to music while writing but if I did it would be classical so I don't get distracted. I went to an author event once and a guy said he listened to heavy metal while writing lol.

Nathan wrote: "That's interesting you mention game soundtracks. I have some friends who are photographers and they've told me they listen to game soundtracks when developing their photos."

Cool. I'm a pretty visual person. I see what I write like a movie in my mind, and I find game music really supports that as when I've played the particular scene in the game and felt all of the emotion while doing it, it influences my mood more than just regular music.

Hi All
I need to listen to silence in the room I write in. Background noise in the house is okay but the less I hear something to take my attention away from writing the better.
Author of Secrets and Silence and a blog:
belyndasbooks.com

If I don't listen to movie scores while I write or edit I find myself staring off into space. Anything with lyrics, I can't focus on either the writing or the music, so it's a big waste of time.

Two Steps From Hell sets the mood when writing a fantasy book. I recommend you all to listen to it if you like those epic, movie scores type of vibe.

I love listening to music while I write (nearly any music aside from heavy metal, most rap, and some hip hop). I can also write with the TV/movies. My favorite music for writing would be bird songs or rain. Oh, I love rainstorms.

I go back and forth on this one. I was writing for awhile with the music really loud...I thought it was working but really I was just singing along. lol Right now I prefer the silence.

I wrote about creating a soundtrack for your novel here:

https://jacquelinehodder.com/2020/11/...

I always have some music on while I'm writing. It varies from classic jazz to classic rock, depending on my mood when I sit down.

Music while writing doesn't work for me. If I'm struggling, the music is too distracting and annoying and if the writing is in full flow, then I'm too zoned in on the writing to even notice the music is playing.

I prefer peace and quiet and since I live alone, I can achieve that very easily.

Music while editing is another matter. Especially if I've read my work a thousand times before. Music can then help me to avoid zoning out. But I don't listen to anything specific. My tastes are classic/light classics, or game music or a gentler vocal artist like Katie Melua.

I have been listening to what they call Low fi mixes. All instrumental stuff that sounds like it is coming from another room. Very much background music. I can't listen to something that would demand my attention.

I just use Apple Playlists that are created for me based on mood.
A chill playlist if I want to be deep in thought.
An upbeat playlist if I want to be energetic.
I did try a New Playlist but I tended to listen more and write less.
A mix of Country, Pop, Rock.

I'm in the silence-while-writing camp. Music commands so much of my attention, I cannot concentrate on anything else. I'd love to see a brain study that highlights the difference. Surely different areas of the brain light up for those of us who want/need music while writing and those of us who cannot write a word amid any ambient sounds.

Amy wrote: "...I'd love to see a brain study that highlights the difference..."

Oh, I like that thought!

I mostly write in silence. If I do listen to music, I go with classical, but sometimes I need to cover noise - like on an airplane - then I listen to thunder storms.

It sometimes work in reverse for me: when I am writing a new novel and feel inspired, I often try to imagine what kind of music would fit with it if my novel was ever turned into a movie (fat chance for that to happen!)

I love to write with music in the background, but I have to laugh because when I'm deep into writing, I don't hear it at all! But it's still nice to know it's playing.

I like to listen to folk music (like Enya) or instrumental folk (like harps - Patrick Ball) or anything that will kind of put me (basically) in a trance, so I can focus during the initial writing. Later on, during edits or drafts, I need silence.
[I love classical (favs are Dubussy and Sibelius) but I always find it too distracting (like I have no idea how people study/write to it at all) -- the exception to this is classical guitar (like Tárrega).]

Jacqueline wrote: "I wrote about creating a soundtrack for your novel here:

https://jacquelinehodder.com/2020/11/..."

What an interesting thought. I have a book of poems.

Everyone seems to have a different take on music and writing.

I mostly listen to instrumental, but dabble in anything that helps my mood – especially if it pertains to the genre. I frequented the Bladerunner soundtrack when I was writing my scifi screenplay, 80's music for my coming-of-age novel, etc. :)

To me, classical music cheers me

while I write, as important

as coffee or ideas.

During a classical music station pledge drive, I discovered music for concentration/study and music for stress relief on You Tube. I start one of them, and I can get in a zone. I write and write until I have to come up for AIR! I recommend Yellow Brick Road Cinema. They have no political ads.