Discussion Question: What music inspires your writing?
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For me, music has always been a big part of the writing process. It’s rare that I write without headphones on. If you’re like me, what kind of music or, more specifically, what musical artists inspire you to write?
I could answer this question a million different ways. But, the music that inspired me to ask this question was that of Simon and Garfunkel! I’ve heard it all a million times, yet a quick listen this weekend gave me so many new ideas.
Please discuss your responses to this question in the comments. Is there something you’ve always wanted to ask your fellow writers? Email your discussion question suggestions to twentysomethingwriters[at]gmail[dot]com.
June 1st, 2009 at 3:33 am
I love anything without words … or in a different language, even! Sigur Ros, for instance, is an Icelandic band. Their lyrics are usually made-up words, actually. When I listen to them, I have so much inspiration!
June 1st, 2009 at 4:31 am
I love music but consider myself quite unlucky, I can’t write while listening to music, even if it’s in another room.
It still inspires me though and it’s the same music that inspires me to write that inspires me to compose my own music. Either good lyrics, or orchestral compositions, anything with detail in one or both of those elements.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:58 am
Yeah, music inspires me to write even when I’m not actually writing when I’m listening to it. I was cleaning when I came up several ideas this weekend.
I have no experience writing music, but lately I’ve been tempted to try it.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:27 am
i agree with megan.. anything without words, electronic or in a different language. sigur ros is GREAT! my musical tastes are more of the “chill”/ambient sounds.. A lot of Aphex Twin, Amon Tobin.. something I can just turn on as background music and groove to. DJ Krush, Portishead, Brjok, drum’n'bass (LTJ Bukem, Goldie)..
June 1st, 2009 at 9:52 am
It confuses me that people listen to music while writing. I can’t do it. Even if it’s classical music or entirely instrumental, I can’t write if there’s something going on in the background. I need complete silence.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:56 am
Sometimes I find I can write while listening to music and other times I can’t. Mostly it depends on the mood I’m in and the type of music. If I were to listen to something soft (almost like background music) then maybe I could write.
If I had to choose a couple of artists to listen to I’d go with Muse or the Twilight original score. Realistically I have listened to movies while writing before, though the movie has to be something I’ve memorized.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
i’m like that too! sometimes music helps and sometimes it doesn’t and it all depends on my mood..
June 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
If I’m free writing, like blogging or journaling than I can have music on in the background. But, if I’m actually trying to do school work or work work, stuff that involves actual concentration, I CANNOT do it with music!
I never really *listen* to music anyways. Weirdly enough it’s always in the background for me and I rarely even pay attention to it. The only time I really *listen* to music is when I’m running!
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 am
I think my life is deeply influenced by music. I have a lot of artists that vie to be included in the “soundtrack of my life” but it’s never been a cut and dry choice since my musical taste changes as quickly as my life does! Strangely enough, I can only listen to really well known (to me) music or lyric-less music when I’m studying…It just distracts me too much otherwise. Then again, who objects to Miles Davis while writing assignments in the cool afternoon?
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
Music is a huge part of my life. When I listen to music (any kind) I see stories, pictures,and colors. So when I write for pleasure or an assignment (which some of them were to listen to a piece of music and anaylize it) I have music in the background at all times. Sometimes I get distracted by a particular song, but other times it is just in the back ground full filling what I need it to be. There will even be songs that are a ‘soundtrack’ to a particular scene, chapter, or moment of my writing.
When it comes to artists that inspire me, I have no one favorite. Anything from classical to rock to country will do. But I think one band that I get a lot of inspiration from is Linkin Park. Weird but true.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:14 am
Coltrane, Miles, Bird, and Monk. Also Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
radiohead, mono(japanese band), sigur ros, fiona apple, it depends on the mood i guess.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I really like twilight! I may sit and watch all day long if I did not have school..or life to keep me from doing it! lol Wonderful Just Superb!