When you’re writing, do you prefer to have it quiet or do you listen to music?
When I’m writing I prefer to have music playing. As I write this I’m listening to some old Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ (via headphones from iTunes on my computers as I ride the train into New York City). I actually have playlists on my iTunes that I’ve put together just for writing. My choice of music varies from heavy metal (Iron Maiden) and rock (AC/DC) to bluegrass (Alison Krauss) and folk (Cheryl Wheeler) and everything in between (Reggae, classical, soul, etc.) And I can see my pal Jon cringing as he reads this list).
I know others who find it difficult, if not impossible, to write if music is playing. I think Jon falls into this category (though interestingly, after all our years of working together, and sharing lots of music with each other, I don’t know for sure.)
So, do you listen to music while you write? And if you do, what kinds of music do you prefer while writing?