I often see other authors posting online about their favorite playlists to listen to when they are busy writing. Some say it grounds them; other say it inspires them. And then there are those who prefer silence and even go so far as to wear noise-cancelling headphones.
I have been asked what I prefer and mine is kind of a hybrid answer.
I used to always like quiet when I was working. No construction work outside my building. No screaming children – there’s a school across the street but this year they have relocated the playground to the other side of their building. Before, they were right across from me and there was always some child who either planned to star in horror films, to be an opera diva or who was being horribly molested or abducted.
When I first moved here, there were a couple of times I could have sworn there was a crime in progress. But no. Just the little darlings letting off steam. I don’t understand why they scream. If we’d done that at school – well, that’s another story.
But I have also used music as a barrier against distraction in the past. I started doing that when my children were still at home. I’d be busy writing and get interruptions such as “do you know where I left my baseball bat” or “my lift didn’t come so you have to drive me to hockey.” Yes, I had boys. Four of them
But when I put classical music on, they would walk in, get halfway through a question, tell me my music choice was awful and walk back out – this music criticism from young persons listening to bands with names like The Dead Rats or The Exploding Melons!
These days my darling distractions have grown up, moved out and have distractions of their own. Now when I am writing, I prefer to play what is often labelled as “spa music” – gentle tunes which keep me grounded and focused. That works for me.
What about you? Do you prefer music or silence when you write?
