A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on Writing to Music. I asked you:
What music do you use to write to?
Inspired by @katrinafee I have compiled my writing playlist; mix Kate Bush/Fairport Convention/Alan Parsons Project w/ Tubular Bells finale— Lauren Piko (@book_learning) March 23, 2014
Some of you can’t listen to anything at all:
@katrinafee Nothing. But living in the countryside, there’s a nature’s chorus, plus the occasional friend flying over in their aircraft.
— James D Kightly (@JDKightly) March 18, 2014
Many people suggested (as did Janel in the comments to the original blog):
I have found that I can’t really write to music that has lyrics. I just got distracted by the words. So I usually listen to epic videogame or epic film soundtracks, classical, or ambient dance music to write.
@katrinafee For articles? The Glitch Mob all the way. Need something to kick brain into gear. No words, can’t handle words while writing!
— Peta Freestone (@PetaFreestone) March 18, 2014
The older I get, the smaller the repertoire of things I can listen to while I work. Must be instrumental and not super interesting.
— Elizabeth Keenan (@badcoverversion) March 19, 2014
@katrinafee Often, Dead Can Dance because it’s generally ethereal/wordless/glossolalic. If I want to sing along it distracts me.
— Brett Holman (@Airminded) March 18, 2014
Lots of you need something inspiring, energising, that makes you happy:
@katrinafee I recently found new @Beck album (Morning Phase) super-inspiring for writing! Also seems to prevent usual post-lunch-depressio
— simin (@simsimine) March 19, 2014
@PM_Freestone@katrinafee I like the soundtrack for Darjeeling limited #bollywood#classical#french#whatever
— Megan McPherson (@MeganJMcPherson) March 18, 2014
@katrinafee @PM_Freestone I end up singing w serge by the end of day. — Megan McPherson (@MeganJMcPherson) March 18, 2014
@katrinafee janae is fantastic to write too, I have her & goldfrapp & yeah yeah yeahs & blondie on my fast, I know what I’m writing, loop
— Megan McPherson (@MeganJMcPherson) March 18, 2014
For some people, music is so integral to their writing process that it gets mentioned in their acknowledgements:
@katrinafee My partner, @MatPaterson, has included bands he listened to while writing in the acknowledgements of his books.
— Jo VanEvery (@JoVanEvery) March 18, 2014
@katrinafee for a serious writing day, always @underworldlive. sometimes it’s a Cocteau Twins day. for stress, King Tubby (dub reggae). — Matthew Paterson (@MatPaterson) March 19, 2014
@katrinafee Miles Davis made it into my diss acknowledgements
— Wilhelm Scream (@yoshiofor) March 18, 2014
The responses reminded me of a much earlier conversation I’d had on Twitter with some classical musicians:
I said “I listen to mindless, cheerful bubblegum pop to write. I find it hard to listen to anything when I read. But my students say ‘THE BEST are orchestral film sound tracks’
Nothing vocal: get distracted. Zippy baroque orchestral for me!
— Katherine Cooper (@ZwischenKath) February 3, 2014
indeed. Shos #Gadfly music great for me.
— Corrina Connor (@corrinacellist) February 3, 2014
Handel Solomon. Specifically McCreesh (on Youtube).
— Alexandra Wilson (@amwilson_opera) February 3, 2014
Soundtrack to The Last Samurai v good for the long-haul
— Lauren Arrington (@ArringtonLauren) February 3, 2014
Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach Orchestral Suites – good for poking brain
— Tasha Alden (@Tasha_Alden) February 3, 2014
I’ve a wonderful Jordi Savall/Vivaldi concerto CD which is POWERFUL — Corrina Connor (@corrinacellist) February 3, 2014
But sometimes Bach can overwhelm my brain. — Corrina Connor (@corrinacellist) February 3, 2014
Certainly my partner likes to listen to Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier… or increasingly, silence to write to.
I found the variety of responses absolutely fascinating. And, since I’m always looking for more music to add to my playlist–I hope this inspires you!
