I have broken one of the rules of fantasy writing.

[Shadowed]

I'm willing to accept the castration of my keyboard, for I have sinned. As everyone knows, you're not allowed to listen to anything but power metal while writing fantasy. Yet today, to get in the mood to finish my next ToC post, I put on some extremely chill guitar instrumental music. All virtuosos, such as Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiko Loureiro, etc.

I'm seriously confused here. It was nothing like power metal, yet I got seriously into the groove of writing.

[Alydia Ettermire]

Bah. Listen to whatever music you feel like while writing. Most of my writing tracks are pretty laid back.

[Taskmienster]

I listen to A LOT of metal, but I do that when not writing anyway. I also tend to listen to 3OH!3, MSI, and Mozart while writing.

[MetalDrago]

I listen to something depending on what mood I need to set while writing

[new_guy]

I listen to sappy love songs. You name it, it is on that playlist. From Aerosmith to 98 Degress, I have on that playlist.

[Aiko]

I listen to all sorts of things, but find the musical stylings of Nox Arcana to be most conducive to my writing.

[Inkfinger]

I almost never listen to straight-up metal when I am writing, as most metal makes me feel as if I have shoved a trashcan over my head which is then beaten by small gnomes shrieking at me at the same time. Now, I can listen to progressive metal (i.e. Dream Theater) pretty well, but...yeah. Now, how's that for breaking the rules of fantasy writing?

[Arsène]

Bowie or GTFO.

I can see how metal could work for an action packed battle scene, but I'm not entirely convinced of its benefits for other works.

Does anyone find it particularly distracting to write to music?

[Shadowed]

I generally need music to write. I mean, I can write without it, but I do much better with. I think that part of it's because it blocks out other noises. There's a set tempo/rhythm, expected sounds, etc, not the normal noises of people going about their business around you. Now, I just plain enjoy power metal (Iced Earth is my favorite band) and thus that's what I usually have on. But while on this kick for chill, grooving instrumental music, I've found it really struck a chord with my writing.

[Saerilia]

When I write, I try to think of what portrays the feeling of the post I'm writing. If it is hateful or violent, there is definitely some serious rock/metal playing, but a more dramatic scene might have some different undertones, so I'd have to choose a careful list to bring me to the right place. Sometimes I don't play anything, depending on the circumstances. It's all about what I have and what I need at the time.

[Inkfinger]

I generally need music to write. I mean, I can write without it, but I do much better with. I think that part of it's because it blocks out other noises. There's a set tempo/rhythm, expected sounds, etc, not the normal noises of people going about their business around you. Now, I just plain enjoy power metal (Iced Earth is my favorite band) and thus that's what I usually have on. But while on this kick for chill, grooving instrumental music, I've found it really struck a chord with my writing.

Chill instrumental music, eh? Have you, by any chance, gave Explosions in the Sky a listen or two? They're not strict guitar-grooving, but they are pretty awesome.

[Shadowed]

I have. I'm fully versed in experimental/post rock, and other such bands like EitS. Though the stuff I'm listening to is completely different. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJPxKiCxdtE

[Inkfinger]

I have. I'm fully versed in experimental/post rock, and other such bands like EitS. Though the stuff I'm listening to is completely different. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJPxKiCxdtE

...that is good. That is quite good. I shall add that to my unending bookmark list of awesome music! Thank you!

The style reminds me, ever so slightly, of a rockier Bozzio Levin Stevens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfh5vR6Haw&feature=related)...

[Ashiakin]

Does anyone find it particularly distracting to write to music?

I do. I love music but I'm a terrible multitasker. Writing to music just slows me down or distracts me even if it's pretty laid back. I prefer to write to silence. If people are talking around me or something like that, I will turn on a fan so that I have some sort of white noise to block it out.

[Nightstalker]

I can't write without it. I'm add, and if I try to do just one thing, I can't. I have to do 2-3 other things whilst writing, or I never write.

[Strickland]

I write to music, but usually I'm so concentrated upon my writing I don't even hear it anyways. I usually just turn it on to block out the yapping of everybody nearby. I usually listen to alternative rock; heavier than usual but still not heavy enough to be considered "metal". I like metal, progressive and all it's forms, but all the screaming isn't good when you're trying to keep your mind focused and steady. I recommend the groups "Boy Hits Car", "Haji's Kitchen", "Gravity Pool", and even some remixes of heavier bands for those who are similar.

[Yari Rafanas]

I do. I love music but I'm a terrible multitasker. Writing to music just slows me down or distracts me even if it's pretty laid back. I prefer to write to silence. If people are talking around me or something like that, I will turn on a fan so that I have some sort of white noise to block it out.

Word.

[Alydia Ettermire]

If the music isn't conducive to the mood, then it's distracting. If it suits (or better, creates) the mood I need, it greatly aids the writing process.

[Olivan]

If the music isn't conducive to the mood, then it's distracting. If it suits (or better, creates) the mood I need, it greatly aids the writing process.

I agree with you 1000%. I must have the appropriate instrumental track playing in my ear if I'm to write up a post. The only intrumentals I can't stand listening to are those that are rap related. Yet what's funny about this is when I'm not writing up posts, rap is the primary type of music that I listen to.

[MinzigFrish]

i think Lily Allen is fun to write to ^^ she always has such perky songs lol

[hamnat]

I listen to pretty much anything BUT metal of any kind while fantasy writing. It's too distracting and mind-scrambling for me. Soft rock and old slow-songs work fine for me...or a little Tchaikovsky if I can remember to focus on the story and not the music. :P

[Lathienas Miraq]

I listen to pretty much anything BUT metal of any kind while fantasy writing. It's too distracting and mind-scrambling for me. Soft rock and old slow-songs work fine for me...or a little Tchaikovsky if I can remember to focus on the story and not the music. :P

I agree to a certain extent. I can't write to stuff thats really fast or random. However, if its melodic then I can write to it. Exempli gratia: Kamelot may be metal but it is very structured and melodic so I can write to it.

At the moment I am writing a post set in a seedy bar so some down-and-dirty New Orleans blues seems appropriate.