When I began writing my first novel - back in high school (and, yes, it's under the bed and will never see the light of day) - I loved to write while watching the late movie. Back then, the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) would run old movies after the late news. Black and white gems like Arsenic and Old Lace, The Philadelphia Story, Jezabel, Mrs. Miniver, The Sea Hawk - I could go on forever. I would write and watch - knowing I should be in bed, sitting up til the last credit rolled (which was right after the ending because credits always came at the beginning of old movies). Noise and TV were partners with my secret writing life.
Nowadays, I have to have complete silence when I write. Nothing, not even soft background music! Somedays the ticking of the clock on my desk drives me insane when I'm searching for just the right word, phrase, or planning out a plot line. I could never have my desk out in the living room where the TV could be tuned to the Golf Channel or The Husband could be playing Tiger Woods Golf. And if I am out there, typing away madly on my laptop or scribbling notes in my various notebooks, I will get up and leave as soon as there is a distraction.
This shouldn't surprise me. I used to go to sleep with the radio playing. I had to have the car radio on every time I was driving - anywhere. There had to be noise no matter where I went or what I did. Now is a much different story. I love the silence. I love to listen to my own thoughts as I wash the dishes or go for a walk. My brain is quieter, more receptive to ideas and epiphanies. And I do my best work while immersed in total absence of sound. To me, silence is golden.
And you? (Sounds like a McDonald's commercial) Are you the complete silence kind of writer? Or do you like noise around you as you work? What about music - I know a lot of authors create a soundtrack for their works-in-progress, does anyone out there do that? What's your noise quotient, People of Blogland?
My needs have changed as well. A few years ago, when I started this madcap quest for publication, I had all my U2, Santana and Fleetwood Mac cds on a never-ending loop. The volume was at background level, and since I knew all the lyrics, I didn't really listen. It was just there. And in the evenings, when hubby was watching TV in living room, I was able to block out the distraction even though my writing corner is a mere ten feet away.
ReplyDeleteWithin the last year I've come to need complete silence (except for Frosty the budgie, there's no shutting her up), and no other humans within spitting distance. For the first draft. If I'm editing, I can work around the usual turmoil that occurs in a house with three men.
This means that the few hours I have to myself during the day have become precious. And are guarded like the Crown Jewels. Woe betide anyone who makes a demand on me before noon, LOL.
I prefer to have noise/music in order to concentrate. At home my desk is in the middle of the living room, so my husband watches TV while I write. But I have my earphones on and I've got my various playlists running as I write.
ReplyDeleteSometimes my husband will want to listen to the music with me, so I 'come out' of my cave and we both listen through the speakers. But if I really need to concentrate, I need to 'go in' - I put my earphones on and block out everything except my story and me.
Once upon a time I used to write while guarding the pass door at the theatre where I worked. The music from the onstage performance was piped backstage, so I could listen to that as I wrote. It was heavenly and I got a lot done there.
I need complete silence for writing, too. Unlike you and Lu, it was born out of habit, beginning back in high school days and definitely in university, when I studied or did homework. Moving on to my working career, I couldn't tolerate having a radio on (I guess that's a given in a library). But even behind closed doors in an office, it was a no-no in my mind.
ReplyDeleteExceptions: doing housework requires background noise, usually talk radio; driving by myself seems to go better with either CBC for talk or my own CDs for music. In those situations, 'noise' doesn't seem to hinder the idea or brainstorming stages from happening, in fact it seems to fuel that part of the process.
But definitely, when it comes to writing that first draft or doing revision, silence is golden!
It's great that you've carved out a time just for you and your writing, Lu - with dedication and time management like that you're quest for publication will be fulfilled soon. It's interesting how we change over time - not just our thoughts and interests, but our way of going through the motions. Although, I'm not sure I could edit in a house filled with three men - you have good concentration to do that.
ReplyDeleteFrosty the Budgie - cute name. We used to have budgies when we were young. They can be very noisy.
Hey, Julia - sounds like you definitely work well with noise surrounding you. Love the idea of working at a theatre - and I have a wonderful picture of you scribbling away during the performance. Cool.
ReplyDeleteDo you make specific playlists depending on what you're working on? For instance, your dark Vampirish stuff - dark, gothic music? And for you Culloden Story - is it Scottish based? Or are your playlists more generic?
I love to discover other writers' processes.
A writer after my own heart, Hazel. Silence is golden when it comes to writing time. However, I love some good music when I'm housecleaning - blocks out all the mumbling and complaining about housework that usually runs through my head while doing chores :)
ReplyDeleteAnd in the car - it depends. If I'm plotting or wanting to think about a certain aspect of my story, I go with silence. If I'm not, then the CD player is set to loud. Of course, that's when I'm on my own. The Husband does not appreciate the blare when I forget to turn down the music after I've used the car. If we're together, we're usually talking; so no radio.
I find it amazing that you can concentrate on a plotting question or other writerly pursuits while listening to talk radio. I'm usually glued to the questions and responses.
Should clarify what I meant -- sometimes an idea or a solution to a problem will just pop into my head, and I won't know where it came from. It's not that I have deliberately decided to plot or ponder, but it will be in the midst of listening to something or maybe it's a random association with something I've just heard. It's not really explainable!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree there's a difference when someone else is in the vehicle. Unless there is mutual agreement to listen to something, I prefer not to have to talk over music or radio programs.
So glad to hear you have closed on your house purchase. On with the move! (What's your possession date?)
You're back - so do you turn off the noise if an idea pops into your head? I know that happens to me, as well - but I have to silence everything so can really latch on and expand the idea into something usable.
ReplyDeletePossession was yesterday. We're home owners. Again :)
Congratulations on being a home owner. Again.
ReplyDeleteI don't consistently need to have sound or silence. I think it just depends where my concentration level is at on any particular day. If I do have music or the tv on, it has to be low so that I can still kind of hear it, but it doesn't interfere with my concentration. I'm not sure why there are occasions when I can't concentrate in silence and other times I can. Perhaps I'm schizophrenic.
When driving by myself, I always have the radio on. If it's just regular jaunts to the city or to work, it's music. If the drive is long, I find music won't keep my brain from getting tired, so I like to listen to CBC radio. The topics are usually so interesting, I know I won't nod off. I also get a lot of what ifs with their stories.
That's a great idea, Suse - collecting story starters/what ifs from talk radio. I know that the guy who wrote Sand and Fog (too lazy to look up his name this morning) got the premise from a newspaper article. And I totally understand the nodding off part - long drives by yourself can be sleep inducing.
ReplyDeleteSchizophrenic - LOL!