Background Music or Not?

We all have different ways of writing, sometimes in a variety of places. I’ve written before about my preference for writing with pen and paper when out and about.

At home, when using the computer, I like having background music playing, though not too loudly. Although I enjoy various types of music, when I’m writing I tend to fit it to the genre, period or setting I’m writing about, where appropriate.

For my Scottish novels for instance, I usually listen to Celtic type music while for historical fiction I prefer the Baroque period of Vivaldi, Handel, Albinoni and Bach. I even have Gregorian Chant music for historical fiction further back in time, if I ever get on with it. Most of the music is on my old CDs but I like some of the great Celtic music on YouTube, which I'm listening to as I type this - see the above link.

My more modern general fiction tends to be accompanied by easy listening instrumental melodies – timeless in a way, which provide the background sound without being intrusive.

But music is more than just background ‘noise’ for me. I find it hugely inspirational, as well as affecting my mood (in a good way) at times. I remember my writer daughter, Victoria, presenting a talk at my former writing group when she brought in a CD player with several pieces of music recorded. The idea was to use each piece, or even just the one, as inspiration for a story idea.

It worked for me as some of the music was so powerful and evocative. It also made me feel more creative at that moment as I scribbled down a few rough ideas. On another occasion, my husband and I were visiting Dryburgh Abbey while I took photos and details for an article later published in The Highlander magazine in the US, sadly now closed. The article is now included in my non-fiction collection, Scotland People and Places.

I love abbeys in general with their sense of history and past lives, but it was when I wandered into the ancient Chapter House and heard the haunting medieval music (from a modern CD player) that it transported me to another time in my imagination.

I know that many writers need complete silence while they write but I like the buzz of a café or train journey. Perhaps music serves a similar purpose at home!

Rosemary