Music As Muse?
by Catherine L. Tully
I’ve posed this question once before, but I’d like an update. I have mentioned how I find it difficult to listen to music and write at the same time, but many writers find listening to tunes enjoyable as they work.
Occasionally I will indulge, but usually it is only when I am doing mindless work that doesn’t require much concentration. Even then, it is usually classical or something mellow that won’t distract me…
I know Joe likes to have music on (I’ll let him tell you what he listens to), but I’m wondering about FZ readers…Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what do you find inspiring?
(Addendum from Joe—I personally indulge in an insane variety of sounds from 70s punk to Bossa Nova. There’s nothing like listening to the Dead Kennedys back to back with French disco.)
Catherine,
I’m like you and prefer the quiet when I’m writing. If I do listen to anything, it’s usually something instrumental. Mood music, if you will. If I don’t have to concentrate very much, I love listening to music. It hasn’t always been that way, however. I used to listen to music to get and be inspired. Weird how things change.
For me, it’s an insane variety of nonsense. One day last week it was old school late 70s So. Cal punk mixed up with bossa nova. Today it’s The Orb, Miles Davis, Italian zombie movie soundtrack music and NPR.
Some people think I’m a little odd.
Kim–it’s nice to know I’m not the only one! : )
I am like you in terms of music–I used to listen to it to inspire…somewhere along the way it became hard to find the time to just sit and listen to tunes for a while. That’s ok, though…life evolves!
I’ve always envied people that can listen to music while they write or edit. I can handle invoicing and filing tasks, but that’s about it. Back in my magazine staff days, it used to drive me nuts when the art department would crank up the tunes. Today, with it being just me and my dog, silence is bliss!
I’m really shocked that you guys are like me! I thought for sure we’d have more writers ringing in on how they loved to play music while working…
That’s funny…I kind of felt like the cranky old man screaming at the darn kids to get off his lawn! I feel better knowing I’m not the only one.
Jake you crack me up! I totally know what you mean!
I have found that when I have to write essays in class it makes me concentrate even more when I put in my headphones and listen to a familiar song or artist. I think it calms me down to have something familiar with me at all times and that is what music is to me.