Writing in silence or with music in the background is something I’ve switched back and forth between, and while I used to write with the music in the background, I now predominately write without music. It’s definitely a personal preference, since music can be a motivation boost for writers. For me though, I find that music can take over as I try to write, since I’ll start to reflect or think about other things while I listen to the song.
A happy medium I found is when the volume is very low while I write. I tend to concentrate a lot better in silence than I do with music in the background. For me, music is something that takes my mind elsewhere–a place where I’m reflecting on ideas or memories rather than generating/creating content.
Of course, I’m merely speaking for myself as I write, but I can see where writing with music playing can be inspiring. Perhaps it also depends on the type of music (i.e. music with or without lyrics).
I used to spend a lot of time browsing songs during a writing session. Of course, having a playlist would be helpful to deter this, but I find that when a song changes the mood I need to write I’ll start browsing for a song again.
Overall, I need to get into a rhythm when I write. Once I get into a rhythm, everything fades away and the ideas burst onto the page. I think what we’re all after is being in the zone.
What is the zone? It’s that place where only the story matters, where your mind is constantly coming up with ideas that can’t wait to come out. It’s when the writing takes precedence and you’re not aware of anything else.
Fallton Havenstonne 