What do you listen to when you write?

Usually classical. Sometimes I put the radio on, which is always on (gasp) country.

Ditto to no lyrics. Usually something vaguely Celtic, though that's a pretty broad category. My latest favorite is Scythian's instrumental pieces - not sleepy-dreamy, not too upbeat, exotic enough to keep the story-mood going. (Not essential in a quiet house, but necessary to block out extraneous words from TV, conversation, etc.)

It really depends on what I'm writing. I have very eclectic tastes, so it really varies.

Nothing ... but I also don't own a stereo or any music.

It depends on what I'm writing at the time.

If I am writing for my pulp SF detective series, I listen to Elvis (yes, scary but true, he's got that pulp attitude).

If I'm writing for one of my YA series (coming in 2007-08) I let itunes pick the songs for me, usually from the 80s and 90s.

If I am writing my comic strip, I listen to more current stuff.

If I am doing any serious writing for graduate school I listen to Mozart.

If I'm on deadline I may not listen to anything.

Count me in for nothing. I've tried, but it's distracting. I like listening to clickclickclick of the keys.

Nothing here, too.

Nothing at all. Can't do it. Classical music is too damned exciting and every thing else skews my concentration. I like silence, something warm to drink and an ashtray.


And my dog. Gotta have the dog.

The click of the keys does sound really gratifying when you're on a roll.

Linda Adams said:

Nothing ... but I also don't own a stereo or any music.

Click to expand...

Wow. That is just so completely foreign to me I can't even comprehend it. I'd die without music.

Anyway, I listen to whatever it is I put on at the time. I don't find lyrics distracting, since half the time I can't understand them anyway.

Nothing. It's too distracting.

I generally start with something loud and work my way down to mellow which is odd as I tend to pick up speed as I write. I can't write to anything too funky (I once tried to write while listening to Stevie Wonder. It can't be done) but just about anything else is allowed.

Depends on the project, usually whatever reflects the mood of the piece.

Depends on what character I am writing about, but usually I have the headphones on, the volume cranked up to drowned out all the other noise in the house and once I get a train of thought moving, I don't even hear the music.

Usually I'm listening FOR my kid while I'm writing.

Other than that, I listen to:
Whatever tV show is on in our family room.
My daughter's music.
My co-workers.
Other patrons in the diner I'm in (I love working in diners--don't ask why).
Nothing when I'm at the library.

I write when I can, no matter where I am. If I didn't, I'd never get any writing done.

If I'm lucky enough to be in control of my surroundings, I'll put on classical music, big band, or blues/jazz.

No music for me when working. I find any sort of sound distracting except for the intermittent conversations/arguments with my parrot.

I don't listen to anything either when I write. When I'm thinking about something in a story and trying to work through a problem, I'll listen to a variety of things.

White noise - I have a desk fan and a space heater. Any music just distracts me right now. Maybe when BIC is more of a habit I can plug in my iPod and listen to zydeco.

Oh, and the cats trying to get in the room - they scratch and meow at the door.

Depends on what I'm working on, but usually nothing.
Fortunately, I can tune out parrot yells and screams; after so many years with them, their sounds are just a normal part of the background noise. Unless they start screaming their alarm calls; then I have to go see if something is about to attack and kill us all.

Depending on what part of the book I am writing, I like to listen to really sad songs, or heavy metal. I can't put on too dancey of stuff though because semi-dancing at the computer and typing don't go very well together.

Maprilynne

I'll listen to pretty much anything depending on my mood, but usually it's celtic, new age, or alternative rock. Sometimes jazz or classical. I find that I can really write to Coldplay, Loreena McKennitt, or Clannad.

Count me in for nothing, it's distracting enough in my house!

Usually nothing. Sometimes though, the writing will be going exceptionally well and I'll be on a high, and in those times I like to listen to instrumentals (usually guitar). I like upbeat Hindi music, too. Since I write in English, the lyrics don't distract me.