30 Days of Writing: #7

[lathriel]

7. Do you listen to music while you write? What kind? Are there any songs you like to relate/apply to your characters?

As a general rule I do not listen to music when I write, and in fact can't really understand how anyone could. (That's not a criticism!!! Sometimes I wish I could!) Appreciation of art and the act of creating art don't mesh in my mind as something I can do at the same time. Especially if the songs have words- how can I listen to someone talking while I'm writing?

There are definitely songs that inspire me, though, and songs that make me think of my characters, but only in a loose way. I think sometimes we love our characters so much that we can turn anything into something relevant to their situation.

Comments

[roofpig13.livejournal.com]

To me, singing in a song has always been just another "instrument", so I don't always pay attention to the actual words, just the sound of the person's voice as it meshes with the other sounds. This is why I have a hard time singing along with songs, and also not getting the "meaning" of certain songs. So for me songs with words are never that much of a distraction.

[lathriel.livejournal.com]

This is true- and I've been able to on occasion listen to instrumental music or opera (which is never in English, so I have no clue what they're saying!) while I write.