Writing Tips

Music

Admit it. You've listened to music at least once while writing.

But it's okay. Heck, I find it hard to write chapters without music.

While working on his book Paper Towns, John Green listened to The Mountain Goats non-stop.

Kiera Cass blasted One Direction as she wrote her trilogy, The Selection.

Almost every writer out there uses music as a little boost in their writing.

But the thing is, you need to have the right music playing during a writing session.

The best music to listen to when writing a battle scene is epic, fast-paced, orchestral music.

The best music to listen to when writing a romantic scene is love songs with a relaxed vibe and beat.

The best music to listen to when writing a death scene is somber, soft piano ballads.

Are you seeing the pattern here?

Mood music is key.

So you don't want to listen to "Happy" by Pharell Williams while you're writing the death of your protagonist's lover.

You don't want to listen to "Say Something" by A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguillera during the big wedding scene.

Listen to music that fits the mood of the story or scene that you're working on.

Also, most people will tell you to just listen to instrumental because songs with lyrics are "distracting."

Again, I call bullcrap.

I do perfectly fine listening to music with lyrics while writing.

But okay, don't feel like you have to avoid instrumental music at all costs. If instrumental works better for you, go for it! I just don't like listening to instrumentals while writing.

Overall, just listen to music that fits the mood of what you're writing.