My daughter did a psychology project linking learning and music. Many studies show students retain more information when they study with ear buds gently carrying their favorite tunes nearly directly into their brains. This didn't surprise me as I'm someone who works best with some background noise such as TV, a movie or music playing. I almost never write in silence.
I have to wonder if the type of music matters. I really don't think I could write a fight scene for my latest series with a polka tune bouncing off the walls. On the other hand, the soundtrack to The Last of the Mohicans might be just the thing.
While I wrote the last book in The Futhark Chronicles, due out in 2012, I had the soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings or the movie itself playing most of the time. It's great for inspiring my muse to create heroic battles and tragic loss of life.
Some of you who know me know I have three different DVD versions of Pride and Prejudice on my movie shelf. While writing my upcoming fantasy romance release,
Tiger's Mate, I watched all three of them and mixed in some time for Happily Ever After to help keep the mood light.
My iPod contains a little country and a lot of alternative rock. Lots of loving to put me in the right mood as well as a few melancholy tunes to cover the emotional spectrum I hoped to infuse my novel with.
Do you listen to some tunes while working? What are your favorites? Do you prefer silence while you write?
