The Top Three Benefits of Writing with Music
Music is one of the writer’s most helpful resources. It’s such a human thing, music is. Not only does it use the right and the left side of the brain simultaneously but it also embodies the dreams, joys, heartbreaks, and nostalgia of the human spirit. You’ll be hard pressed to find better inspiration for the writing process. But the benefits of music don’t stop at inspiration.
1. Increases Focus. Turning on a playlist helps you control the noise and distractions around you. A busy workplace or coffee shop can be highly distracting with random conversations and sounds popping up around you. Headphones will limit those distractions. A curated playlist of favorite writing songs can also become a helpful habit, a cue that tells your mind it’s time to focus and get to work.
2. Sets the Pace. Much like in working out or running, music gives pacing and momentum. Without music, I notice that my mind works in sprints, quick dashes of productivity. But listening to music helps me settle into a steady work rhythm.
3. Creates the Mood. This benefit is especially helpful for creative or fiction writing. As Frost said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” Listening to emotive music can stir your emotions to fit the writing task at hand. If you’re struggling with an action scene or a suspenseful chapter, if that romantic dialogue isn’t coming as naturally as you’d like, try listening to a song featuring the mood your working towards.
Music can boost your writing productivity and quality. But to get all the benefit from it, remember these three helpful tips.
A. Instrumental > lyrical. The idea is that lyrical songs are more distracting than instrumental songs. But I’ve found that certain exceptions to this rule are helpful. Some songs with lyrics embody the exact mood or idea that I want to infuse into my writing. But generally, listening to movie soundtracks, instrumental, classical, or epic orchestral music provides the best mood and focus for writing.
B. Familiar. Listen to music that you’ve heard before. You don’t have to know the music well but if a brand new song comes on, chances are you’ll be more curious than helped by it. Listening to soundtracks from movies you’ve seen, therefore heard, before is a great step. Creating playlists of favorites and listening to them often can help you get into the swing of things quickly. While writing a book, I created a playlist of just 15 songs and listened to it on repeat. Writers often have to jump between projects during the work day so the playlist helped me make the transition to the book quickly and smoothly by cueing the mood, pace, and style of the project.
C. Repetitive. This sounds boring but in this case, boring is helpful. Listening to a song, or songs, on repeat might just be the missing ingredient to your writing. A few years ago, I had an assignment to write a somewhat boring article. It was the end of a long workday and my motivation was nowhere to be found. But I turned on a song that was repetitive in nature, but also with a bit of energy to it. As long as the song was playing, the words were coming. About an hour with the one song playing on repeat, and the article was finished. I’m not sure why repetition works but it can be a powerful tool to overcoming struggles, returning to better habits, and simply getting stuff done.
To get you started, here are a few lists of songs, instrumental and lyrical, that work for me. Check them out and explore what works best for you.
Archer & Solomon Hike | Blood Diamond, by James Newton Howard – One of my go-to’s, this is a repetitive but swelling melody.
Jungle Weather | Planet Earth II, by Jacob Shea – I can never get enough of this mood-inspiring song.
The Sloth | Planet Earth II, by Jacob Shea – The cello at 2:14 is gorgeous.
Time & Life | Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by Theodore Shapiro – Though I love this whole album.
Chevaliers De Sangreal | The DaVinci Code, by Hans Zimmer – Sometimes you need a more classical vibe.
Stolen Dance | Sadnecessary, by Milky Wood – The repetitive yet energetic beat, it just works.
Teardrop | A Still Heart, by The Naked and Famous – A great cover, mellow and moody.
Strange Mercy | Strange Mercy, by St. Vincent – St. Vincent is always a good choice to change up your mental space. Check out the song Los Angeles while you’re here.
The Wolf | A Black Mile to the Surface, by Manchester Orchestra – Especially good if you need a bit of edge.
Sun Ray | Odd Soul, by Mutemath – In No Time is another good writing song on this album.
No Harm | The Cold Still, by The Boxer Rebellion – A catchy yet haunting melody.
Eyes Wide Open | Tony Anderson – Anderson has some beautiful offerings that are prefect; inspiring yet nonintrusive.
All the best, friends, and happy writing!
