When you’re writing a mystery novel….
…or any novel, do you listen to music? If so, what kind? I find that most of the time, silence is better for me. I can concentrate and visualize scenes to write. After all, I am the director of my stories. (When people ask my husband what I do for a living he tells them that I sit alone in a room, make up people and kill them). But back to music. If I’m writing a love scene, I put on some soft jazz. I can close my eyes and really see my couple dancing around the living room, kissing, hugging, pulling off clothing or …well, you get the idea.
If I want to write some action scenes, I’ll put on some hard rock. That seems to get my heart pumping and my fingers moving - fast! Writing comedy? Happy music of course, something light and tinkly. If I’m writing general stuff, I often put on nice background music, maybe jazz or classical. It soothes my brain and keeps my fingers moving. One thing I can’t do is put on a vocal. If someone is singing on my CD, I gotta sing along! When I’m singing, I’m not writing and I really hate all those complaints from the neighbors!
So, are you a silent writer or one who is musically inspired? Let me know - I curious.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Depends on what I’m writing. I write in several categories - poetry, fiction (I’m working on a detective novel of the Hammett/Chandler genre), comedy, and essays/blogs.
When working on the novel, I prefer silence, as it is seriously hard work, and I don’t need any distractions. But for those others, I may or may not listen to music. My tastes are eclectic, so I might be listening to Blues, R&B, Big Band Swing, Neapolitan songs, Bossa Nova, or Classic Rock.
BTW, I invite you to visit my Detective Story blog at http://ahsweetmystery.blogspot.com/
where I feature articles in re. “modern” detective fiction.
June 28th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I’m like Wayne: when I am writing fiction, I need to concentrate on the words because if music plays then my brain focuses on that. Non-fiction is a different matter: I enjoy orchestral, celtic, or new-age music.
Now, if I do want to get revved up to write a fiction scene, I might play certain songs or pieces before getting to work. Usually it will be southern rock, orchestral rock (e.g. TransSiberian Orchestra), blue gass, or big band music.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I soundtrack characters — even burn CDs for them from time to time as part of initial character development, but I prefer to write in a quiet room.
~Nora (couldn’t resist the Jennifer Jenkins reference
)
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’m the deadly silent writer. I like to hear the high pitched twang the garotte makes when the killer tests it out.