Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Music and the Mystery

I’m a writer, but I’m also a musician. I’ve painted pictures, but don’t consider myself good enough at that to take on the title.

But, consider those first two: writer and musician. I know a lot of people are both. And every songwriter is both, of course.  I’m finding it hard to separate the two, the further I get into mystery writing. I can’t write a novel without some reference to music. I’ve started one serieswith a musician sleuth, and another—that emerges in September—with a music-loving sleuth.


Besides those blendings, I know a lot of writers who have music playing while they work. They set their mood, get inspiration, put themselves into a certain time period, and probably use music for more things I can think of.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s in spite of the fact that I’m a musician—or because of it—that I can’t write when music is playing. My mind wanders over to the notes and I end up concentrating on them instead of my words.



If you are a writer, how do you use music? If you’re a musician, what’s your connection with words and music? Do you read to music? Drive to music? Dance?


4 comments:

  1. I don't write music but I'm like you. If I put on music when I'm supposed to be writing, I start listening to the music and forget to write.

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  2. I'm glad to find a kindred soul. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who doesn't set the mood with music.

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  3. I listen to music in the car. I don't listen to music while I'm writing. I need quiet.
    When I'm reading I don't much want to hear anything else because I hate distractions. I need quiet while I'm reading.
    Geez, you're thinking, she's no fun.
    I don't like noise when I sleep.
    You damn kids, get off my lawn!

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  4. Another quiet writer! I also can't read with music, or with some TV. Oddly enough, I can do anything with a ball game on, baseball or football. I guess I'm just so used to my husband having them on that they're white noise to me.

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