Wow, the weeks fly by. It’s already Wednesday again. (All right, in truth it’s Tuesday and I’m preparing for tomorrow. *laughs*)
You know what today is…Confession Wednesday.
Today I’m going Author style. *Puts on her Author Hat*
Let’s talk MUSIC. I know a lot of Authors write to music, either to set a scene, a mood, or pump up their blood so they can focus and write. So… here is my confession this week… Are you ready? You sure? *Takes a deep breath* And…..
I don’t write to music.
Phew. There, I admitted a little piece of myself for you. I am a self-proclaimed music whore. I love music. I’ll give you my top five bands in a minute.
So, you might be wondering … how do you write? Is it quiet at your house? (Um, you’ve read I have four children, right? Do you think it’s quiet here…ever?) Generally, if I’m home I write in bed, with the door locked, and a few toys handy my large…box fan whirring. You read that sentence correctly. Oh — you missed the fan part? Go back and read it again, I’ll wait for you to get your head out of my gutter.
Yep, I write to white noise. Music sidetracks me, and my brain is already extremely distracted and I find the hum…of the fan…the fan! relaxes my brain and helps me focus.
I have playlists of songs that remind me of my characters, my scenes and moods, but when it comes down to actually sitting and writing words, — white noise only.
If I have to leave the house to write, say I go to the coffee shop, I have a virtual fan on YouTube. I know.. that sounds crazy, but by now you know me a little bit, and I admit I’m crazy on a daily basis.
So… here are my five favorite bands: I say bands, because I can listen to their entire CD’s and not be annoyed with any of their music. I have a LOT of favorite songs, but that is a different post for later!
- MUSE
- Bone Thugs N’ Harmony
- Coldplay
- Boyz II Men
- TOOL
You can check out my playlists from Fractured Moon, and Finding Time, along with my Favorite songs, and my Work In Progress Music w/ Benjamin Russell by checking out my YouTube Channel by clicking my link – Author ER Pierce
So, my Author friends, I ask you — Do you write to music? Or what are your quirky writing habits?
If you’d like to stick around, I have some flash fiction posts for your to peruse, as well as some interesting discussion posts.
Check out:
Tantalizing Tuesday #1, #2, #3
I'm a mother, a wife, a reader, reviewer and a writer. I eat lots of chocolate, drink lots of ice coffee, and swear like a trucker with road rage. I'm a Virgo -- and I'm sometimes too honest. I can be over-emotional, and a tad crazy. You've been warned.
Personally, I write to music or to silence. Depends where I am in writing. If its a fight I’m writing about then I like to listen to Godhead, Godsmack, Ozzy, Metallica, Guns n Roses, Saliva, or Monster Magnet.
If its a love scene then O.A.R. , Muse, Evanescense, or Blue Foundation.
Just depends on the mood that I’m going for in a plot. And sometimes complete silence might be the key. But music is my love… It is ever so faithful to me. My favorite if in a dancing mood and writing a happy scene… I must say Pitbull or Pink…
I love Shattered, by OAR, his voice is so soothing, and the songs are filled with meaning
Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome… I love all genres. I’m not partial to anyone particular. Every lyric tells its story. The rythm moves you …. I think I wrote a sex scene when I heard Love is worth the fall by O.A.R. Music moves me to write.. Thank you so much for allowing us to share a lil about ourselves.
My name is Alyssa and I am a….music junkie
I know I’m not an author, but I just had to comment. I listen to music constantly – whether it’s in the car, playing on my computer as background noise or in the stereo system at home. I don’t discriminate either – I pretty much like all genres (some better than others) and the more it gets me moving, the better. Right now my top favorite songs are:
1. We Run The Night – Havana Brown Ft. Pitbull
2. Work Hard, Play Hard – Wiz Khalifa
3. Snapbacks & Tattoo’s – Driicky Graham
4. Beez In The Trap – Nicki Minaj
5. Bangarang – Skrillex
6. Heart Attack – Trey Songz
7. Mercy – Kanye West Ft. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
8. Burn It Down – Linkin Park
9. Blackout – Breathe Carolina
10. Climax – Usher
You crack me up, lady =) You and I are kindred music whores <3 If it moves me, I’ll listen, and I love all Genre’s. Yesterday I was jammin to Chamillionare and Krayzie Bone “Ridin’ Dirty” Then Josh Groban and Charlotte Church came on and I sang my heart out. Followed by Jewel “Don’t” and then Muse “Bliss”
I can belt out some Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and then rap with Bone Thugs. I have a love affair with Boyz II Men.
I’m on a Madonna kick right now, I can’t get enough of her new CD MDNA. Pandora is great when you want a good variety of music. When writing a dangerous scene in my book Armed and Outrageous I listened to slasher movie theme songs. It really put me in the mood to be dark. There are times when I write with my headphones on and no music playing. I still haven’t figured that one out yet.
I find myself having my headphones on and no fan or music pumping, only if I am so engrossed in writing I don’t notice the silence
Thanks for commenting Madison! I can’t wait to read Armed and Dangerous, congrats on your new release!
Okay – little known fact. I am a concert pianist and was headed for being in orchestras etc but knew my lack of patience and attention to detail would kick me in the end. Then I joined bands from jazz to rock and loved it and would still do that if I could. I have music on 24/7 period. I have to. It fuels the girl insides. From Nickelback for writing sex scenes to Andrea Bochelli just cause I have to hear the sexy tenor to Rascal Flatts – i am hooked. It it’s not the ipod or CD, it’s itunes on my computer – including French radio stations. I am also a dancer from the past and so wild disco music fills this wicked girl’s soul. That’s about as weird as my quirks get…
Hmm, I wonder if there is anything you are not good at… I’ll have to come up with a down and dirty confessional, just for you =) On a serious note, that is awesome. I love music. I always wanted to play the piano but I have the smallest freaking fingers ever and could never reach the keys properly. I can, however, play the flute. I also like to sing, but only when I’m alone.
Okay I am not a published author but I am a writer and I am working on my first novel. I love to write to music, but I have really bad ADD and have to have a few things going on at once to focus. When I am writing in the morning I have all the ABC morning talk shows on and while that is playing I am either listening to my favorite radio station or by favorite bands. I don’t know if I would consider myself a music whore because I only like rock and heavy metal. My favorite bands to listen to are Godsmack, Tool, Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Hellfire, Pantera, Anthrax…well you know just to name a few. Well those are my quirks and music favorites, have a great day!
Hi Danielle! Glad you could join us =) I’m happy to see another TOOL fan. I like some Godsmack and Korn as well, but I have to be in the mood
Thanks ER, it was nice to confess. Tool is one of favorite bands and it was the first concert I ever saw and it was awesome
I used to be completely devoted to Pandora. But I found that I would get distracted by all the liking, not liking, and skipping. So now I write to the rain. There is this fantastic website, http://www.rainymood.com/, that is just a rainstorm. It provides the right kind of white noise for my muse to focus.
I will bookmark rainymood
Thanks Katie!
I have to have total concentration (as much as poss anyway) when l write, so no music (l’d end up singing and dancing or daydreaming!) and no TV. I have to be in a quiet room to focus as l have never been able to shut things out enough to get the job done. But l love music and even play the guitar and sing a bit! I quite like working in my dining room on the table by the patio doors. If l stare out into the garden l can see things in my mind more clearly and l often bring the birds etc into my characters minds. After l’ve written something very hot l like to, erm and then l like to lisen to Madonnas ‘Justify my love’ and pose about a bit! I was a bit of a rock chick when l was younger though!
Hmm I think most of us enjoy the erm… after writing hot stuff
Hey Gemma 
Thanks for sharing!
I love music. I always say it saved me from insanity. Sometimes I write to music. It can be a variety, depending on the scene I’m writing. I like most kinds of music but draw the line at hip hop and rap. I have been able to read music since I was 6 and when I was 12 I took up the trombone which I still play. Playing in bands and orchestras I have been lucky enough to broaden my spectrum of musical appreciation. I can spot a bum note at 6 feet lol.
That is so cool Naomi! The trombone is such a cool instrument. You rock!
quite phallic too lol
I need to write with background noise so I often have the tv or music going. I have a wide range of music favorites, I love Vampire Heart by HIM when I’m writing paranormal. I like to listen to songs I grew up with when I’m feeling emotional and I have a certain number of sexy songs when I’m writing love scenes. Real Good Man by Tim McGraw and I Just Got Started Loving You by James Otto.
<3 There are songs that everytime I hear them, I cry. "Don't take the Girl" by Tim McGraw is one of them.
I hear you, girl. I need SILENCE when I write. If I need white noise, I plug my laptop fan in. But I can’t write in public places, like coffee shops. Too many distractions. However, I do have a soundtrack I listen to while driving when I want to think about something I’m trying to write.
That is cool — about the soundtrack
I think while driving too 
Then I usually have to pull over and write the shit down LOL
I can’t live without my music. I need it all the time. I have a very eclectic taste and listen to everything from Linkin Park, Jeremiah, 50 Cents, NIN and much more…Love your taste in music by the way.