Writing: Music or Silence?
I’m often indecisive on this topic. Should I put some music on when I write or should I enjoy the comfort of absolute silence?
For you people who prefer neither but instead like to have a TV on in the background while you write, go away because I don’t have cable and can’t see how you don’t become distracted every five minutes. And now that I think about it if you’re writing on a computer with internet access and you have the television on, how could you possibly get any writing done at all? I would be flipping through TV channels and Firefox tabs like it’s nobody’s business.
As I write this I’m listening to the band Fleet Foxes’ big hit, White Winter Hymnal. It’s such a catchy song that I’m having a little bit of trouble keeping my train of thought. So maybe that’s at least my problem. If I’m listening to a really good song I have a lot of trouble keeping it tuned out while having my writing remain in the foreground. See, now that I’m listening to some mellow instrumental music (The Album Leaf, actually) I’m able to focus more on this post.
But I’ve also found that just because it’s an instrumental piece, that doesn’t mean it won’t keep my mind off whatever I’m writing. The other day I was writing an article while streaming a classical music internet radio station and I became so distracted by the piece that was playing that I had to lean back in my chair and just listen for a couple minutes.
Is writing in silence any easier, though? First, it doesn’t seem likely that most writers have the ability to get to a quiet place whenever they have an urge to write. The number of distractions around you at all times that make tiny little noises we are usually able to tune out are abundant, keeping it nearly impossible to find a place that absolutely silent. How about going to the library to write? The absence of those small noises we’re used to tuning out can sometimes make writing at the library it’s own challenge.
Is there a middle ground then? You might try what I do and go to your local coffee shop. My local homegrown coffee shops provide a cozy and warm vibe, unlike my local Starbucks (blah). With the light music coming from seemingly invisible speakers in the ceiling and the soft chattering of other customers around me, the coffee shop is a great place for me to get a ton of writing finished up. For some reason there are no distractions in this kind of environment, it’s conducive to my writing style. You’ll always find comfort at home at your desk, but try making a trip one day to your local coffee house and see what happens.
But I’m only one writer of many. Where is your writing hot spot? Do you listen to any tunes while you’re there?
P.S.: Also, what about your best times to get writing done? Dawn and after midnight are my favorite times to write.
