Writing Playlists

[CandiedJasmine]

This is something that I will do when making a story to help me during dedicated brainstorming sessions or even while writing.

Usually I'll make one playlist for the main setting, and then additional ones for main characters to listen to as I write chapters from their POV.

It might be a bit overkill but I really enjoy the feeling of recognizing what kind of music down to the lyrics, instruments and genre I associate with a character or setting. Plus, it helps me jump very quickly into the proper headspace.

Does anyone else make dedicated playlists for working on stories or characters?

 

[Kumquatqueen]

This is something that I will do when making a story to help me during dedicated brainstorming sessions or even while writing.

Usually I'll make one playlist for the main setting, and then additional ones for main characters to listen to as I write chapters from their POV.

It might be a bit overkill but I really enjoy the feeling of recognizing what kind of music down to the lyrics, instruments and genre I associate with a character or setting. Plus, it helps me jump very quickly into the proper headspace.

Does anyone else make dedicated playlists for working on stories or characters?

No, but I think about what music each character likes listening to and dancing to. Along with their preferred caffeinated drink, alcoholic drinks, choice of biscuit, haircare regime, smart and casual clothing, number of living parents and siblings and how they get on, mode of transport...

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I have several playlists I listen to while writing along with the TV squawking in the background. So, noise doesn't bother me. Of course for a good 20 years of so there were children running around screaming and playing and teasing the dogs and/or cats.

When they all started school, it was suddenly quiet at home. I worked from home a lot. Then they grew up and moved out. Then came the grandchildren. And still I had my music playing and the TV on, really not paying attention to the TV yet the noise was there. And the dogs. Three of them toward the end.

And now, I sit, with the TV on, not blaring, and my music playing while I write. Or think about writing.

Currently playing... One of four different version of Thunderstruck by AC/DC by different artists. But that's not the only songs in the list.

 

[lovecraft68]

I generally listen to Ozzy's Boneyard-or the deep cuts spin off of it-on Sirius, but do have a playlist of songs that are slower and generally dark and depressing. Music like that helps me sink into the mood to write that type of material. Couple of examples would be Snuff by Slipknot, Love her by seether and other uplifting songs of sorrow

 

[KeithD]

I write to the sounds of silence.

 

[CandiedJasmine]

Honestly, the variety of responses here is super interesting! I figure everyone does things a bit differently but it's really fun to get a peek into how music does or doesn't effect a writers mindset.

I personally see it as a powerful tool, especially if you manage to get that sweet spot of scene + perfect song where it feels like you're watching a movie scene or music video unfold.

I'm admittedly guilty of looping a song for an hour while getting a scene just right so that so I can just let it settle into the background and write.

 

[SimonDoom]

I generally do not play music when I write. I play music at other times, but I can concentrate better when no music is playing.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

This is something that I will do when making a story to help me during dedicated brainstorming sessions or even while writing.

Usually I'll make one playlist for the main setting, and then additional ones for main characters to listen to as I write chapters from their POV.

It might be a bit overkill but I really enjoy the feeling of recognizing what kind of music down to the lyrics, instruments and genre I associate with a character or setting. Plus, it helps me jump very quickly into the proper headspace.

Does anyone else make dedicated playlists for working on stories or characters?

I have my own writing playlist that features some movie music and some other instrumental ditties.

I prefer music for writing as lyrics don’t interfere but it has to be soothing and calming ti put my head in the right space.

As for individual characters like lite-motifs, wow. Way to really narrow it down!

 

[MsNatalie99]

I usually have buds in my ears. It drowns out my the noise from my roommate's TV. I have varied taste when I write, but when doing anything productive, the songs need to be up-beat and fast paced.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

Music is very important in many of my stories, so not only do I just listen to music while writing, the music usually written into the story. I'm usually listening to the specific piece that I'm writing in at that moment. The story requirements vary, of course. If I'm writing Amberley Bloodstar, I'm probably listening to a fantasy mix on the Tube of You. If I'm writing Time Rider, the music could literally be from any time in history. I've included French Renaissance peasant music, I've had Louis Gottschalk get punched in the face while playing the Bamboula, and a comical chase while Lionel Hampton plays his 12th Street Rag.

More than anywhere, music features in the Alexaverse, and is included constantly. Alexa belongs to a retro cover band called 'The Replicants', and they play ranging music from the 60's to the 80's. In the last chapter, they covered 'Twilight' by ELO, and it played an important part in the story. That turned out to be a popular choice with me readers.

The readers seem to enjoy my musical inserts, so I'm considering creating a YouTube channel that features the music used in my chapters and stories. They REALLY liked that idea when I mentioned it.

If I don't have any specific music I'm putting in, then I'm usually just rocking out to Zeppelin. But music is always playing when I write.