Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind?

Well said, Carmel! Forgive my delay in replying. Was out of town till now. I am a big surprised about the Messianic music. I am not sure if I have ever listened to any. What kind of mood does that music put you in? What kind of writing do you do do when listening to that? Do you ever write Christian stories? I am also amazed that you can listen to rap and heavy rock. Doesn't the singing distract you?

I hope your out of town tr was for fun and not business, but either case, I don't mind waiting for replies. As for the mood Messianic music puts me in? Well I would say when I write about the Seder dinner, since they have the festivities, including dancing. The rest of the music, the rock,rap, and heavy metal, are also "Christian" I use the heavy metal when my character is struggling with her emotions, the rap for when she is just kicking back, and the rock for when she is dancing for fun. See, I don't know if I told you this, and I don't say this out of, "I am the ONLY one", but after much research, not only on my part, but also an editor friend of mine, I have not seen a book similar to my character's beliefs. She isn't a typical "Christian" and doesn't even claim Christianity, but she believes in the Bible, both old and new testament. The closest author who has written anything near mine is Thoene, but even this couple's writing is completely different from mine. They write about a Jewish faith with an emphasis on Jesus, mine is a character living that out in her life, not a metaphorical meaning. That said, I do find it interesting that I can do no other work, math, reading, even writing for my classes while listening to music, I need no distractions, but when I am writing what "I" want, I need music to let my creativity go. I know it sounds strange...

Oh I forgot, I use classical music in a romantic part of my story..

Oh yes yes yes! I enjoy soundtrack CDs. I have "How to Train your Dragon", "Last of the Mohicans", Clannad's "Legend" (from the BBC series "Robin Hood"), "Medicine Man", and "Edward Scissorhands." I also enjoy the soundtrack music to my favorite MMORPGs of 12 years now Everquest and Everquest2. The instrumentals are beautiful and really gets me in the mood to write fantasy. I also agree with you about the lyrics. I have tried to write listening with singers in the background but I just can't. It has to be instrumentals, no matter the music style.

Sounds like a plan. Whenever I go to a movie anymore I pay attention to the soundtrack to see if it is something I would enjoy listening to when writing. Since our New Age stations have disappeared (so sad) it's hard to hear new New Age artists out there. Sometimes I can find them on the cable music service and on certain Internet radio stations. Both PC and TV are in the living room though that I often have to share with my husband and he doesn't care for New Age :) Boooo! Hahah! Thank goodness for my smartphone playlists and my CDs. :)

lol, I have "How To Train Your Dragon" too! Great music in there! I also think the music in both Kung Fu Panda movies is pretty amazing as well, and I've got both of those. I've heard the all the other musics you mention, (all great fantasyesque music! Really gets me in the mood to write adventurous stuff), but I don't have copies of the soundtracks for myself. Maybe I'll add them the next time I expand my collection.

Oh my! Indeed!!! I have done that before! I have a few CDs that I like so much I set them on repeated play. I know what you meant how one can be so engrossed in their work that they hardly notice they have heard as many as fourteen songs and not really "listened" to them at all. Hahahah!! This delights me for I thought I was the only one that did that. My husband doesn't seem to mind it at all, which is kind of strange. He doesn't even like my most of my CDs, especially the new age music I really enjoy. And it makes sense that you would listen to appropriate music to inspire you in the type of story you are writing. Have you thought of using headphones for listening to the music you want, as much as you want?

Yes. I think it has to do with the memories some of the music evokes in me. Memories. Likes smells do I guess.

Really? So your choice of music doesn't really affect what kind of writing you're doing? You can write mysteries while listening to hard rock? Romantic stories while listening to jazz? If I were listening to Christmas new age instrumentals, I would want to write a Christmas story. LOL!

Very true, Blink. I am amazed at some of the responses I have recieved for this question. I once read that author Stephen King likes to list to hard rock when he writes. Incredible! I could never do that. =D But look at all the successful books he has written over the years! What amazing abilities he has.

hehehe.we have different ways on how to write or how to motivate ourselves to formulate/construct words. Every minute,seconds,and hours our minds is thinking so we need to relax a bit in order to have a purpose or intention to the readers...

You have hit a new point here, Psychoartist! Unlike the need for instrumentals when I am writing, I actually prefer lyrical music when I am crafting and painting. When I do artwork, there is little need for thinking about the right words to use. I am using my eyes and hands mostly and so a good audio book or something to sing along to while I am painting is preferred. Makes total sense though, psychoartist. And I am sure that many do the same. =)

I totally agree with your response, GemmaR. I have noticed the same thing also. Sometimes I put on some classical and it sometimes makes me tired or too relaxed. I will have to keep in mind what you mentioned in this post and try to find some lively instrumentals so it helps to keep me alert while I am writing. Thanks for mentioning this. So the type of music one listens not only inspires, but help relax or UPLIFT one's mood. Often I think of music for relaxing, but not for enhancing alertness.

Another who prefers to write in the quiet. I can totally understand that. I can see how it helps to keep the mind focused on the words before you. I totally do. Maybe I should try for short periods of time and then see if it improves my writing or not. If it does, I may have to LEARN to feel comfortable writing without music. =)

Okay, I'll do that :) Have a good day, 1hopefulman.

Try both ways and see what works best. For me, it's the quietness that works best.

Agree, but I think I will try writing without music for awhile and see how that works, even if its for short works like an article or short story or blog post. Who knows, I may grow to like that.

Hahahah!! Yes, Wonderboy, I can totally understand that :) Another BAD idea is to try to watch or listen to TV while you are writing OR studying! LOL! I can't write at all if the TV is on. There is no way. Thank goodness I have a guestroom where I can go to if my husband wants to watch TV.

Ahh, I used to be that way long ago. It's nice that you can write while listening to just one certain song. I still listen to the same CDs over and over sometimes, but not just one song. And as for being unable to write when you just don't feel it, well, that's a problem we writers all run into from time to time. I hope it doesn't last long for you when that happens.

Yes sometime its depends upon the type of some works, If I am preparing for a seminar topic, I never used to play songs, even melodies .

You listen to Yanni? I love how that guy both composes and plays the piano. I think he's the responsible for the music used in the olympics. Too bad, I forgot the title.

Thanks so much for posting here, as well as your comments about music, but you didn't mention if you like to hear any music WHILE YOU WRITE. =D Do you write and listen to music? If so, what kind of music do you listen to when you are writing?

It's my relative's favorite, my cousins favorite.. also mine.. have you seen the acropolis album? It's very nice. nag comment ka gd bah... anyway, thanks.

I have never seen that movie but its apparent the movie soundtrack impressed you enough to want to get all the songs. I love movies that are about writers and writing. I have a few DVDs of such. As for classical music, try playing the melodies that will work for your desired mood. Like I have mentioned in other posts, some classical music relaxes me too much and then I can't write. =D I can see how the relaxing affect of classical music can help when studying for tests.

That's a very interesting list of musicians to be listening to while you write. What kind of writing are you doing when you listen to this artists?

And you listen to this kind of music when you are writing? Do you write christian stories or articles while you listen to praise songs?

"think of a lot of words"?? So, are you saying you do listen to lyrical music? You do listen to singers while you write? Amazing! I find it very hard to write while someone is singing in the background. =)