Many novelists use music to help their writing. For some, one CD seems to resonate with the feel or the mood of the novel they are writing. Imagine writing a novel set in the highlands of Scotland a couple of hundred years ago. Now imagine writing that novel with the sound of the Beach Boys playing as you write. Now imagine writing that novel with the soundtrack from the movie Braveheart playing as you write. Which will help you with mood and atmosphere?

Imagine writing a novel set in the 1940’s. Johnny’s about to be shipped off to war tomorrow. Imagine writing this with the music of Celine Dion playing. Now imagine writing this novel with big band music playing in the background.

Other novelists like instrumental only music that helps them focus on the writing and which blocks out distractions like the neighbour’s dog barking or the garbage truck rumbling down the street.

Others still like move of a white noise effect when writing. A CD of the sound of rainfalling; ocean waves crashing against the shore; crickets chirping; whalesong.

If you’re finding it difficult to focus on the writing when there are distractions or if you’re finding it hard to get into the scene it’s worth trying to find the music that will work in the scene.

Good Luck & Happy Noveling!

Filed under: NaNoWriMo, writing by Merlene