Do you write better with music? Or in silence?

The music helps me when I'm brainstorming or thinking of plots, but when I'm writing, I need silence around me.

Yes.

I used to put music on when I wrote. I quickly learned I didn't even hear it.

I prefer writing when it's quiet, but I'm so used to writing when I'm on public transit, that not much gets through my defenses anymore. Unless someone is being obnoxiously loud with their cell or tablet, I can tune it out.

I can handle some nice instrumental music though. My fav is the soundtrack to Braveheart.

I prefer silence. Any music with lyrics distracts me. Music without lyrics might work, but really I think if I'm in the "zone" I'm not actually hearing it, so what's the point of going through the trouble of selecting the right song to suit the mood, etc...

It used to be music, but I think that was when I lived with my parents up north.

Now it doesn't matter. Unless there's a storm outside, then I need music.

same same

I use music to change my moods. The music is good for creativity and getting new ideas, but when I'm actually implementing everything, silence works best.

jaus tail said:

The music helps me when I'm brainstorming or thinking of plots, but when I'm writing, I need silence around me.

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Music helps me get in the mood to write a particular scene, but I can't work with it playing. Classical is about the only thing I can tolerate, but only when I have to drown something out. Anything with lyrics is too distracting.

jaus tail said:

The music helps me when I'm brainstorming or thinking of plots, but when I'm writing, I need silence around me.

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Marlys said:

I used to put music on when I wrote. I quickly learned I didn't even hear it.

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+1 to both.

I think it was in a book on animation that I skimmed once (The Animator's Survival Kit, maybe?) that I saw something that summed it up: the author, a newbie artist, asked one of his mentors and long-time heroes what classical music he listened to when sketching - which he assumed was common practice, as he and most everyone he studied with listened to music - and the older guy turned on him with a sharp snarl: "Nothing! I'm not smart enough to do two things at once!" After this encounter, the younger artist gave silence a try, and realized he was sketching better, and was more focused on his art, than when he had his headphones on. By focusing on just one task instead of splitting his attention, he improved faster. I find it works similarly for me; I can brainstorm to music, but when I'm actually creating - art or writing - I don't hear it anymore. I only use it to drown out annoying noises, or to help me reach that in-the-zone state of not noticing my surroundings. (Actually, I don't usually use music to drown noises out; I have a cheap hour-long MP3 loop of ocean waves for that.)

Silence for me. Music distracts me from creating sentences.

I listen to instrumental, usually just piano, when writing.

wweisser said:

I prefer silence. Any music with lyrics distracts me. Music without lyrics might work, but really I think if I'm in the "zone" I'm not actually hearing it, so what's the point of going through the trouble of selecting the right song to suit the mood, etc...

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This is me too, basically. If there's another voice in the room, that plays havoc with my ability to think up my own words.

I write with instrumental music playing in the background. I liked playing horror music soundtracks, but my husband was rather creeped out when he heard the Exorcist coming through the speakers. Now, I stick to traditional classical music when he's home.

I can listen to lyrical music in foreign languages as well. As long as I can't understand the lyrics, it doesn't distract.

I write with instrumental music playing in the background. I liked playing horror movie/game soundtracks, but my husband was rather creeped out when he heard the Exorcist coming through the speakers. Now, I stick to traditional classical music when he's home.

Brightdreamer said:

I can brainstorm to music, but when I'm actually creating - art or writing - I don't hear it anymore. I only use it to drown out annoying noises, or to help me reach that in-the-zone state of not noticing my surroundings.

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I relate to this as well. It's nice to have something playing (and for me at least it needs to be a specific couple bands) when thinking out how I want to continue my WIP, but oftentimes I'll either stop it when I get into writing mode or tune it down so that I have something other than silence in the room .
(Note: I really hope the Silence are not in my room)

I write better if I have background noise of some kind, whether it's the TV, music or just kids running and playing. That said, I definitely do my best work after the kids are in bed because I get into the groove and then someone needs something lol

The TV is always on while I am writing.

I must have total silence most of the time. Sometimes if I'm too amped up and can't focus, I'll put on some ambient music in the background to occupy part of my brain -- seems to help me settle down. I have a Pandora station built around Brian Eno's Music for Airports for that exact purpose.

This may sound terrible, but it's not actually silence I need most to focus. It's lack of husband. I can. not. focus. when. he. is. home. It doesn't even matter if he's on the other side of the house, keeping quietly to himself. Just knowing he's home kills my concentration for some reason! I need to move past it somehow.