MUST you have quiet when you write???!

Depends on what I'm writing. Sometimes I like music, sometimes I like the quiet of the library, and sometimes I like the background noise at a coffee shop or restaurant. For me, what interferes with writing is music I don't like, music which is too loud, or other people's conversations which are too intrusive.

Yes, it has to be quiet or my head fills with the song's lyrics (if I know them) or trying to make out the song's lyrics (if I don't know them) or my head fills with words describing the music if there aren't any lyrics. -sigh-

Not really. My favorite place to write is coffeeshop, etc. I also like to have music in the background (playing over and over in loops). That's not to say once in a while I don't enjoy writing in the middle of the night when there's no other sound than that of my fingers tapping the keyboard.

I can't have music on when I write, but I don't need it to be quiet. I just need to be left alone. So I can write in a crowded setting and can tune everyone around me out, but I rarely can write when my children are home from school. They just want too much attention.

I forgot about chittering kiddies and background noise. Nope. Can't do that either. I've a bit of ADD, maybe.

Upbeat said:

TheIT - re/'depends on what I'm writing'.
That could be true of so many writers ! When it's internet music & something too crude or too loud comes on I can't move fast enough to turn down the volume - or off.

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If I'm "in the zone", I could have a marching band stroll by the table and I wouldn't notice. If I'm having trouble with the scene, an ant's footsteps would be too loud.

I can't have anyone standing behind me.
I can't have anyone speaking to me, especially about inane drivel.
I can't allow any type of merriment at all anywhere near me.
And try not to breathe either.
Music is OK, if it's MY music.
TV is also OK.

Hi!

The only music I would be able to listen to as I write, would be Mozart. The only problem would be that my train of thought would be directed towards what he might have been thinking about when he composed his music. Therefore, I prefer silence. Then I am left alone with my own thoughts.

Barb

Roundtable for this thread???

Office Party=non-writing related stuff.

Upbeat said:

choppersmom - re/'and try not to breathe either'
All the rest of what you've said, I can understand; but I'm convinced that air - breathing - especially fresh air - is at least one key to revitalizing the sedentary writing process.

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No no, I meant everyone else in the house. They have to be perfectly quiet and not disturb me at all. If they make noise when they breathe, then they're in big trouble!

rhymegirl said:

Roundtable for this thread???

Office Party=non-writing related stuff.

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Once again Kathy is on the ball, and she's right.

Upbeat said:

rhymegirl - In one way I know what you mean; however there few writers who can separate the rest of their lives from that activity.

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I look forward to some of the writing-related threads that slip into Office Party from time to time. In fact, you have one there now that is enjoying plenty of activity. Technically, though, that forum is designed as a place where AW members gather to discuss topics other than writing. It's sort of like a cafe where we gather after work to talk about anything but our jobs.

In that respect, this thread is better suited for the Roundtable forum, so we'll see what the folks there can contribute to this discussion.

Upbeat said:

If you must have quiet - or music - are you stuck - when unwanted noisy distractions interfere?

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I can have absolute silence, noise or music. Doesn't matter. What I can't have is either of my kids talking to me or trying to involve me in what they're doing. My seven-year-old will play a game on his computer and do a running commentary on what he's doing and what's happening to anyone who cares to listen. The kid can't ever stop talking even for two minutes! That drives me up the wall!!! Eventually, I grit my teeth, grab my iPod and try to ignore him OR I give up altogether and find something else to do, which doesn't help increase my wordcount...

I'm another one of those who needs quiet when they write.

The odd thing though, is that while I can't listen to music when I'm writing fiction, I enjoy listening to music when I'm writing non-fiction.

I'm assuming cuz they use different parts of my brain, though I don't really know.

When I'm writing fiction, I have to go there - literally in my mind - so music, lyrics, noise etc. can be a distraction. I have to become my characters, see the scenery, feel the senses and surroundings and also pay more attention to my word choice.

Not so much when I'm just writing my thoughts in an email, a post or an article.

I do like to hear myself think. On the other hand...maybe I'm a tad bipolar or something, because I have 2am loud music writing sessions too, when that side of the muse sits on me.

Here are my basic rules.
When I'm writing I like to have the music either on quietly or off altogether.
If the neighbours upstairs are being noisy then I turn my music up accordingly.
When I'm writing dialogue it must be off completely.
When I'm drawing I have the music on constantly and loudly.

Haven't got a problem with most sorts of noise. Music is fine, but the louder it is, the more lyrical my prose gets. Therefore, I try to avoid listening to music out of a respect for good taste.

I just realized I wrote about lyrical prose while discussing music. Ha. Ha. I kill me.

No. I really like loud music when I write.

My first job out of college was at a newspaper. Newsrooms are not typically quiet spaces. The police scanner was right next to my desk. I remember thinking, 'God, I really have to write here.' But with a deadline my first day on the job I made it work. Now, I can write under almost any conditions. I guess it's because I didn't have the luxury of choosing.