Thursday, October 09, 2008

Music or Silence?

"Without music life would be a mistake." ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

I'm a musical person. I started playing the piano when I was 8, I've sung in various choirs since about that age as well, and I sing along to the radio (which HAS to be playing) anytime I'm in the car.

But when I'm writing? I can't listen to it.

I know many people who like that background sound. I know authors who create whole soundtracks to listen to while they're writing. But when I'm working on a novel, I prefer silence. On a rare occasion, I have listened to super-sappy love songs when I'm writing a particularly intimate love scene. In those cases, sometimes the music and the lyrics help my own words to flow. Not usually, though. And I find this interesting, considering music is SUCH a big part of my life otherwise.

What about you?? Any authors out there who feel strongly one way or the other?

In the meantime, this is my new favorite song, just because it's so happy and mood-lifting:

5 comments:

Marianne Arkins said...

I'm exactly the same. I love music and have it on all the time... except when I write. I can NOT write with music.

And that song? Never heard it before, don't know who that is singing, couldn't understand but half the words BUT the beat and the tune are wicked catchy. I'm going to have them in my head all day.

mslizalou said...

I listen to music all the time, including when I'm working. I have the music playing really low, so I almost can't hear it. I'm not a writer, but I think music would distract me if it was on when I tried to write.

Diane Craver said...

I played the piano, clarinet and saxophone while in school. I love to listen to music, but I don't when I write.

Great post, Allie!

mld said...

Although not a writer, I do a lot of work that requires concentration while on the computer and I find music a great blocker of all other noises. I definitely work better with music as a buffer.

Allie Boniface said...

Whoops, Marianne, I did forget to label it. The song is "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.