Music while writing?

[LIZM]

I actually like listening to TV show/cartoon episodes while I'm working on something. It keeps me entertained and in a good mood even when I'm struggling with something. When working on more emotional writing/art, it would really throw me off though, so I tend to switch to songs that fit the atmosphere.

Music is my main source of inspiration, so I actually tend to listen to it more when I take breaks or need some fresh thoughts and ideas to continue the script properly. In that case, I like anything from instrumentals to songs with vocals of nearly every genre. Bonus points for singers whose voices would fit the story's characters.

[Seiza]

I don't usually listen to music while writing (i get easily distracted), but listening to music before writing really helps, especially by in setting up the mood for the story.
For example, when i'm writing something light and fun i usually listen to slightly upbeat classical music or something
Sad Scenes Need sad Music of course
Horror and Chase scenes need music that will literally make your heart skip a beat
and so on and so forth...

[trooper6]

I get way too distracted by music. So I cannot listen to music while I'm writing--or anything really. I can listen to music before hand, or during breaks, but not during writing. If I'm in a cafe that is playing music, it has to be music I don't know and can tune out. If I know the music...then I'll get distracted and start bopping along to it...and then start analyzing it...and then I'll be off in distraction-land.

I can listen to music while drawing or while coding though.

[Mad Harlequin]

I sometimes need something to serve as "white noise" while writing---particularly if I want to quash distracting thoughts I may have---but I try to avoid music when working, as it can affect my emotions too much. I opt for natural sounds and soothing voices instead.

[mineraloid]

To those of you who mentioned white noise, are you familiar with my Noise.net? There are a lot of different sounds, like the ever-popular rain machine, but also things like the sounds of a busy coffee shop. I usually listen to music that fits the theme of what I'm writing, but sometimes when I need a break and music is too distracting I'll come here and put on the coffee shop. Though, given the nature of my VN project, maybe I should be listening to Cat Purr instead.

[Mad Harlequin]

To those of you who mentioned white noise, are you familiar with my Noise.net?

Now I am! Thanks for the recommendation!

[YossarianIII]

Flockaveli by Waka Flocka Flame on loop for four hours = most productive writing of entire life.

[Mogwai]

Hi.

I have a 3hs collection of anime/VNs music, and it did the job quite well...

Until I noticed I started to understand the lyrics.

I started studying Japanese on my own, and I really liked the language, so I think I'm making some progress (Even when I keep forgetting some Katanakas.). I started paying more attention to words, and grammar, and I've some basic notions.

And that killed the whole purpose of my "3hs of music in a language I don't understand and then doesn't distracts me", because even when I get only a phrase or 2 from some of them, it's enough to distract me.

Sometimes, I really surprise me with my capabilities to sabotage my own plans.

Now, I think I'll return to my "Hour and half of music without lyrics" I used before collecting the 3hs one.

I'll also try the Noise web.

Thanks,
Mogwai's out.

[Labradorain]

I too listen to classical musics, especially piano music and sometimes string instrumental ones when I write, or looking for inspiration to write. For me, preludes are the most preferable one. They are short but deposit considerable feelings, which may leads me to new ideas and concepts.

[RotGtIE]

To those of you who mentioned white noise, are you familiar with my Noise.net? There are a lot of different sounds, like the ever-popular rain machine, but also things like the sounds of a busy coffee shop. I usually listen to music that fits the theme of what I'm writing, but sometimes when I need a break and music is too distracting I'll come here and put on the coffee shop. Though, given the nature of my VN project, maybe I should be listening to Cat Purr instead.

Seconding this. Ambiance has proven a consistently more productive aid for me than even instrumental music. I can't recommend it strongly enough.

[The Wombologists]

pretty much orchestra compositions, video games ost and sometimes other genres of music like hip-hop instrumentals, techno, hard rock, metal, christian music, jazz, etc. But i mostly listen to vg osts and orchestra music to keep me upbeat and creative!

[Smudgeed]

Like a lot of people, I like finding music that fits the scene I am writing. Sad music for a sad scene, sexy music for a sexy scene. It works well to put me in the mood of writing a specific scene and is much better than having some upbeat Katy Perry song blaring when I try to write a particularly sad scene. I have playlists of songs that remind me of the characters I am writing, so I also play those to get me in the mood too. If I don't need to amp myself to write a specific scene, I mostly listen to jazz.

I'm also a fan of ambient sound when writing, I use Coffitivity a lot (I particularly like the sort of coffee shop ambient sound). Mineraloid mentioned MyNoise and I also use that

[Ozitiho]

My attention tends to waver when I listen to any music with lyrics. Not horribly so. But in contrast instrumental music helps me focus. And silence makes me uncomfortable.