Many writers listen to music as they write, whether to simply minimize distraction, or to let the mood of the music work its way subconsciously into the writing. In this weekly series, we ask Creative Writing students at UNCW what music helps them cultivate a good writing atmosphere, and we keep a running Spotify playlist of their recommendations. (Scroll down for the link.)
This time around, we’re hearing from Sofie Harsha and Becca Spiegel.
Sofie Harsha:
When I’m revising anything will do. I’ve listened to No Doubt while revising before and that was fun. When I’m writing I usually prefer instrumental music, mostly classical piano, or bluegrass to keep my mind focused. And when I’m feeling especially nostalgic or inspired, I’ll listen to something Tammy Wynette or Tammy Wynette-esque on vinyl. (Holly Williams is awesome). I do find though that my listening choices depend on what project I’m working on. I’m in the middle of a first draft of a crazy novel right now and I’ve discovered it prefers any of the following: a) complete silence b) noise canceling headphones with rain noises or Alan Watts philosophizing OR c) the full album The Party by Andy Shauf (an amazing concept album about different characters who attend the same party). One time I wrote a short story that only wanted to hear the Rilo Kiley cover version of the song “After Hours” by The Velvet Underground on repeat.
Becca Spiegel:
There is not a specific song or album that I listen to, unfailingly, when I write. However, there are certain songs or albums that I can very clearly remember listening to over and over again—basically, on loop—while working on certain pieces of writing. Usually, it has something to do either with the energy of the song or with the memories and life experiences with which I associate the music. I am not cool, so it is always digital.
When I wrote a proposal for a Watson Fellowship during my senior year of college, I sat in my step-grandparents’ house in Aurora, Colorado and listened to “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People on repeat. When I write about grief, I often listen to Bon Iver—they are the band that got me through the two flights home on the day that my sister died; I suppose that it amplifies the emotions I am already sitting in, revisiting, and exploring.
When I wrote an essay about my ex-fiancé, I listened to Lord Huron’s album "Strange Trails," which followed us from the beginning of our relationship until the very end—it was what I listened to when we first started dating, it was one of the few concerts we went to together. When I write about New Orleans, I often listen to Leon Bridges’ album “Coming Home.” So, the music I choose to listen to while I’m writing depends both on the mood and tone of whatever it is that I am working on, as well as on subject matter. Sometimes the two are related—sometimes they have nothing to do with one another. I don’t know if it would be different if I were writing more fiction than CNF. When I am journaling or writing only for myself, I can and will listen to anything I feel like. I wouldn’t doubt that, even when it feels more like background noise, what I’m listening to influences my thoughts and my work in ways I am not aware of.
—Dan Willis
Image by Daniel McAnulty, via Flickr Creative Commons
Editor's Notes: This essay is part of the ongoing series Music for Writing.
Dan's Spotify Playlist can be found by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://open.spotify.com/user/1245593611/playlist/3qiIBIlBmasH08yhmlD0WD