Friday, September 17, 2010

Quirky Writer Quirks Day at INKSLINGERS

This week at the INKSLINGERS blog, it is all about those funky writer quirks that mack each writer who they are. So click on the link above to read my original post, or just read it below. :) Don't forget to let me know what your quirks are in the comments!!

MUSIC
I know there is an ongoing debate on playing music while writing and not playing music while writing.
I admit, I'm a playa. ha ha
Not that quirky I'll admit, but I don't really have much to go on. I write a lot, where ever and whenever I can. The thing is I have to be in the right mood and generally I am, but music makes me get there a whole lot faster. The key to my whole music is an almost must is that it must be the right music and I'm rather finicky about it. There's no way I can listen to I'm walkin' on Sunshine while writing a battle. NO. WAY. IN. HECK. But, I can definitely get my mojo going with this:

So yeah, I listen to music while I write, but I also can only listen to a certain kind of music. Sometimes it's very obscure and I'm not sure why a certain song works and another doesn't. I just know that it does work which really is all I care about in the end. It's all about writing for me.

10 comments:

Lisa Miles said...

I love to have music too, but it has to be blasting. Now that I have a writing room in the attic, that's easy. Sometimes I write in the dining room and crank the tunes on my iPhone with ear buds. The danger in that is when someone taps me on the shoulder and I scream.

Summer Ross said...

I think music and writing equals a disaster for me. i even turn the music off when I drive lol

Valerie Geary said...

I heart Hans. I think if I ever get a book published I will have to thank him in the acknowledgments. Seriously. Gladiator? Pirates? Inception? Yeah... that's all his stuff. A-Maze-Ing.

VICTORIA SAAVEDRA said...

Music is a must have for me when I write.

My quirk? I usually light a candle. Don't know if that's quirky or not :)

Theresa Milstein said...

I often listen to music when I write. I find myself hitting the forward button when it's on shuffle to listen to songs that fit the tone of the manuscript. And then when I read the manuscript, I hear those songs playing. It's like a soundtrack!

Talei said...

Music depending on the scene I'm writing and the mood. Also I have to keep my notebook beside me...and a cup of tea! ;)

Susan R. Mills said...

Music is a huge inspiration to my writing, but I can't actually listen to it while I write. It distracts me.

Catherine Denton said...

I play that song too!!! And I agree with Valerie, I love Hans music. I'll add to her list, Spirit:Stallion of the Cimarron.

Lisa Galek said...

I can never listen to music while I'm writing... too distracting.

BK Mattingly said...

Lisa, it almost always is blasting with me as well! I totally do the jumping thing. The only way they can get my attention is by throwing something at me. Sad sometimes, but true.

Summer, I hear it's not for everyone, I just can't imagine not having it. I'm not sure how you do it.

Valerie, I didn't realize he also did gladiator! I love that movie and I totally love, LOVE his work!!!!

Victoria, I haven't tried lighting a candle before :) I'll have to try that sometime.

Theresa, I do that also when it's my own collection. I use Pandora a lot also, so that is easier because each time I dislike a song, it comes on with another that is closer to what I like.

Talei, I have tried the tea before and it sometimes helps me write when I'm kind of not feeling it. What kind do you have? I usually have earl grey or chamomile. :) I love the smell of hot tea. :)

Susan and Lisa, There have been a handful of times where I feel like I can't listen to anything while writing, but generally that's only if I'm also trying to people watch and write. Maybe it's an overload on distractions.

Catherine, The Spirit of Cimarron is definitely on my itunes also! I LOVE Hans!