I'm the type of writer who needs some sort of sound distraction when I'm in front of the computer. When my kids were younger, just the sound of the TV or them playing was enough. As they've gotten older - and fighting and asking me constant questions - I still needed the sound distraction, but I didn't need the visual. Several years ago I started writing with my iPod earbuds jammed into my ears. The music provided the perfect distraction for writing and from their fighting antics.
My playlists change with each new project, and I usually have a mixture of old and new songs. I especially love this current playlist, but it can become a bit distracting at times; if I'm not totally in the story, I end up getting "involved" with the music (which means I'm up on my feet instead of sitting on my butt.)
Here's what I'm listening to as I write this new manuscript:
"Dirty Little Secret" - All American Rejects
"Hey, Soul Sister" - Train
"Hot N Cold" - Katy Perry
"Groove Is In the Heart" - Deee-Lite
"You and Me" Dave Matthews Band
"Move Along" - All American Rejects
"Fire Burning" - Sean Kingston
"I Kissed a Girl" - Katy Perry
"I Smell Winter" - The Housemartins
"Bad Influence" - Pink
"Use Somebody" - Kings of Leon
"Waking Up in Vegas" - Katy Perry
"Drop Down Dead" - The Housemartins
"One Step Beyond" - Madness
"I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas
"Drop Me In the Middle" - Natasha Bedingfield
"The Sweet Escape" - Gwen Stefani
"The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death" - The Housemartins
"Fly" - Sugar Ray
"Wild Wild Life" - Talking Heads
"Boom Boom Pow" - The Black Eyed Peas
"Gonna Make You Sweat" - CC Music Factory
"Certain Things Are Likely" - KTP
"These Words" - Natasha Bedingfield
"Hey Ya!" - Outkast
You may think that there is no rhyme or reason to this list, but trust me - it works for this story. Amazingly so.
Do you write to music? Are the songs intentional picked, or do you use shuffle?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Laughing as I read - I'm reading this to Train's "Hey Soul Sister" thinking this is currently my fave song. Unfortunately music is part of my job and I cannot under any circumstance write with it on. After many years in radio, I simultaneously block it out and cannot ignore it. I envy folks who can plug in an Ipod and lose themselves in it, or write in a public place w/music on. AFTER I write, though, I'm a like a 13 year old girl with her first crush: every song is TOTALLY about my story! Then the dancing begins. BTW, great songs on your list, but where's "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon?
Shelia, I can't add "Sex on Fire" cuz this is a MG novel!! I don't want to inadvertently add something that's not supposed to be there! There will be a bit of a love triangle, but no sex! I do have that on my iPod though. :)
I love, love, love "Hey Soul Sister"! Even my kids sing it when it comes on the radio.
I can't write without music now. It's on quietly in my ears; too loud and I would be dancing all of the time (especially with this new playlist). I get lost in it as the story pours out.
I could write without music but I'd be missing out on a lot or dimension in my story. My last ms would have had a very different flavor if it hadn't been for The Frays, Never Say Never. So grateful for that song, allowed me to see who one of my characters really was. :)
Love the playlist. Very upbeat! My current one doesn't share any songs but does share some of the artists.
Monica, I love The Fray! I need to add them to my iPod.
Post a Comment