I can never be absolutely dead set on a decision here. Turn on the ITunes when it's time to get some writing done, or try and get my writing room as quiet as all possible?
Now I know that there are those of you reading this who, instead of music or silence, prefer to turn the television on when you write; but I don't understand how you wouldn't be constantly distracted. Combine the distraction of the TV with the laptop you're writing on having internet access and forget getting any writing completed ever again. If I were in that position, my word processor would be taking the back seat to Firefox tab flipping and channel surfing on the remote control.
I'm listening to the song "White Winter Hymnal" by the band Fleet Foxes as I write this article. Keeping my thoughts straight is difficult because the song is such an attention grabber. Perhaps that's the problem I have. If it's a catchy song I'm listening to then it becomes difficult to keep my writing at the forefront of my thoughts. That's better: I just put on some instrumental music by The Album Leaf and now I can concentrate a little bit better on the article.
But I've also found that just because it's an instrumental piece, that doesn't mean it won't keep my mind off whatever I'm writing. The other day I was writing an article while streaming a classical music internet radio station and I became so distracted by the piece that was playing that I had to lean back in my chair and just listen for a couple minutes.
Is writing in silence any easier, though? First, it doesn't seem likely that most writers have the ability to get to a quiet place whenever they have an urge to write. The number of distractions around you at all times that make tiny little noises we are usually able to tune out are abundant, keeping it nearly impossible to find a place that absolutely silent. How about going to the library to write? The absence of those small noises we're used to tuning out can sometimes make writing at the library it's own challenge.
Well, how can we find a nice equilibrium then? Two words: coffee shops. No, no, I'm not talking about that drive-thru Starbucks you get your coffee from every morning. I'm asking you to give that local mom and pop coffee house a try. Set up camp there and see what kind of writing you can get done. I've found with some light ambient mood music along with the other customers around me quietly keeping to themselves, that this is very calming and conducive to my writing style. Don't worry, you can always get your writing done at home, but take a chance and try writing at a coffee house nearby.
But I'm only one writer of many. Where is your writing hot spot? Do you listen to any tunes while you're there?
P.S.: Also, what about your best times to get writing done? Dawn and after midnight are my favorite times to write. - 16463
Now I know that there are those of you reading this who, instead of music or silence, prefer to turn the television on when you write; but I don't understand how you wouldn't be constantly distracted. Combine the distraction of the TV with the laptop you're writing on having internet access and forget getting any writing completed ever again. If I were in that position, my word processor would be taking the back seat to Firefox tab flipping and channel surfing on the remote control.
I'm listening to the song "White Winter Hymnal" by the band Fleet Foxes as I write this article. Keeping my thoughts straight is difficult because the song is such an attention grabber. Perhaps that's the problem I have. If it's a catchy song I'm listening to then it becomes difficult to keep my writing at the forefront of my thoughts. That's better: I just put on some instrumental music by The Album Leaf and now I can concentrate a little bit better on the article.
But I've also found that just because it's an instrumental piece, that doesn't mean it won't keep my mind off whatever I'm writing. The other day I was writing an article while streaming a classical music internet radio station and I became so distracted by the piece that was playing that I had to lean back in my chair and just listen for a couple minutes.
Is writing in silence any easier, though? First, it doesn't seem likely that most writers have the ability to get to a quiet place whenever they have an urge to write. The number of distractions around you at all times that make tiny little noises we are usually able to tune out are abundant, keeping it nearly impossible to find a place that absolutely silent. How about going to the library to write? The absence of those small noises we're used to tuning out can sometimes make writing at the library it's own challenge.
Well, how can we find a nice equilibrium then? Two words: coffee shops. No, no, I'm not talking about that drive-thru Starbucks you get your coffee from every morning. I'm asking you to give that local mom and pop coffee house a try. Set up camp there and see what kind of writing you can get done. I've found with some light ambient mood music along with the other customers around me quietly keeping to themselves, that this is very calming and conducive to my writing style. Don't worry, you can always get your writing done at home, but take a chance and try writing at a coffee house nearby.
But I'm only one writer of many. Where is your writing hot spot? Do you listen to any tunes while you're there?
P.S.: Also, what about your best times to get writing done? Dawn and after midnight are my favorite times to write. - 16463
About the Author:
Tim Hyde is a writer, blogger, and consultant for booksXYZ.com, the nonprofit bookstore helping learning institutions. BooksXYZ.com sells over 2,000,000 paperbacks, hardbacks, and audio books. Think about buying your next book online at booksXYZ.com while helping education around the nation.
