Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Jungle Beats/Soothing Rhythm

Back some time ago I got an IPOD as a gift. I was really thrilled about it but I'll admit I'm not a huge, big time music person. I'm continually saying to my kids...ooooh, I love that one. What's it called and who's it by? They always look at me as if I should somehow KNOW that already but names of groups and songs fly in an out of my head at the speed of light. I know I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and U-2 and lots of other bands but I just suck at individual song titles.

For Mother's Day, I got this cool docking thing for my IPOD. It has a clock radio built in as well and I already have a place in my office picked out for it. First things first though. I've gotta load the IPOD with music. I don't usually listen to music when I write because I'm easily distracted. Don't know if it's ADD or not but I tend to tell myself that I just have an inquisitive and brilliant mind that's simply incapable to settling on 'one thing' for any length of time. HA. Yeah, that works for me. The truth is, I have the attention span of a gnat.

If I do listen to music while writing, it's atmospheric stuff like rain and breezes, shifting leaves and waves on beaches. I AM wondering though, since I suck at action scenes, if maybe I should play some MUSE or Nickelback or Godsmack when writing them. Think it would help me get into the scene better?

What about you? Does music help or hinder?

9 comments:

Kelley Nyrae said...

I don't listen to music while writing either. Once in a while I do but its always soft, relaxing music. Don't do it often though. I usually write to the music of cartoons for my kiddos. LOL.

Donica Covey said...

I am a HUGE music person and must have music playing. Each of my books has a soundtrack and that playlist must go on a loop and play nonstop or else I can't write.

Amy Ruttan said...

I need to write with music on. Have to, I can't write in silence.

Though once I get this series done I won't be listening to Celtic for a while. I'll write something where I can listen to some hardcore music, because a year of Celtic to write this series is driving me loopy.

Regina Carlysle said...

A year of Celtic? Damn, that would drive me loopy too. I haven't tried listening to kickass stuff but I'd like to, just for a second to see if it would work. I just get distracted soooo easily. Almost feel like I need those soothing sounds or absolute quiet so I can keep my thoughts focused.

Anne Rainey said...

I like stuff by Kid Rock, Nickelback, some of My Chemical Romance songs are good too. Usually it's before hand though. Something to pump me up, get me revved. While I'm writing I like silence or I end up losing focus.

Madison Night said...

I've always worked with music - whether it be back in school, or while I write now. I don't think I could function too well without it.

However, if I find I'm struggling with a scene, everything turns off, the baby gets handed to Daddy, the dogs get shooed away, and I refocus with the silence.

Oh, and there's no way I could ever write with nature sounds in the background...the second I hear a gurgling river I'm running for the bathroom! lol I'd get nothing done!

Fiona Jayde said...

Music can definitely effect my writing mood,but I can't write with it. Usually I'll put on whatever "theme" I need and go for a walk before delving into the pages, so the mood stays with me but the sound doesn't distract me.

Elle Parker said...

I got one of those too!

I find that music helps me a great deal when I'm writing. I do play it quietly, or I will get distracted, but as a soft background, it sets the mood for me and helps me get back to that place if I've been away from my writing for a while

Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/

Emma Lai said...

I've got to write with background noise...whether it be music or t.v. This helps me keep track of time as well. No noise and my brain starts going off on tangents. I can't explain it...that's just how it works.