Writing and music.
For many writers these two go hand in hand. They're like peanut butter and jelly. Peanut butter and chocolate. Peanut butter and . . . pretty much everything.
I know there are writers out there who need absolute silence to write. Sometimes I get like that too. But most of the time there's so much going on in the house that music is just the better option. I find that it can really set the tone for a specific scene or connect me back to a certain character's problems when I'm feeling stuck and don't know where to go from there. And then there's the thrill of finding a song that just. Fits. Could be a certain character or a certain scene or a certain theme; in any case, it's like it was written for your book and your book alone. And how great does that feel?
And then there's the lyrics themselves. I can't remember the number of times I've listened to a song and wished I'd come up with a certain lyric. I mean, musicians are writers. You know? They know what it's like, the immense, incredible power words hold. After all, songwriting is just another form of writing. And some of them are just. So. Good. I envy them like I envy certain writers.
Maybe it's because music is just another form of expression, like dance or photography or sculpting. They're all just means to translate something you feel, a story you want—need—to tell. And how incredible is that? That one medium helps another?
I'd say: Very.
So what about you guys? Do you listen to music when you write or is it a nuisance? And if it isn't a nuisance, what kind of music do you listen to when you write?
I'll leave you with a song from a band I've only recently discovered, but I know I'll be listening to for years to come. It's just like love: When you know, you know.
For many writers these two go hand in hand. They're like peanut butter and jelly. Peanut butter and chocolate. Peanut butter and . . . pretty much everything.
I know there are writers out there who need absolute silence to write. Sometimes I get like that too. But most of the time there's so much going on in the house that music is just the better option. I find that it can really set the tone for a specific scene or connect me back to a certain character's problems when I'm feeling stuck and don't know where to go from there. And then there's the thrill of finding a song that just. Fits. Could be a certain character or a certain scene or a certain theme; in any case, it's like it was written for your book and your book alone. And how great does that feel?
And then there's the lyrics themselves. I can't remember the number of times I've listened to a song and wished I'd come up with a certain lyric. I mean, musicians are writers. You know? They know what it's like, the immense, incredible power words hold. After all, songwriting is just another form of writing. And some of them are just. So. Good. I envy them like I envy certain writers.
Maybe it's because music is just another form of expression, like dance or photography or sculpting. They're all just means to translate something you feel, a story you want—need—to tell. And how incredible is that? That one medium helps another?
I'd say: Very.
So what about you guys? Do you listen to music when you write or is it a nuisance? And if it isn't a nuisance, what kind of music do you listen to when you write?
I'll leave you with a song from a band I've only recently discovered, but I know I'll be listening to for years to come. It's just like love: When you know, you know.
I prefer the absolute silence when I work, slightly "Asbergy" I admit, though it is easier to concentrate on one single subject when there's only that to think of =]
ReplyDeleteThough when it comes to the actually writing, ie the process of organizing the ideas, etc is done, I find it more soothing to listen to music, one which mirrors the feelings and ideas expressed while writing.
Ps, very good choice on Hey Ho by The Lumineers! A song I have, and I'm certain many others, have listened while working.
Interesting to see the difference between working and writing. Glad you like the song! I've downloaded most of them : )
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