Playlist for Writing

Music can be so inspirational and motivating. They can create a mood or pace, which I find can be really helpful while writing certain scenes.

I don't like to listen to anything when I'm reading, sounds are just too distracting for me.

However, writing is a completely different experience; so here's a few playlists and artists that I enjoy listening to while trying to put myself into a scene. Hopefully, you might like them too.

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Field Music

(playlist, by Scrptrx)

I just so happened to be scrolling Instagram when I saw this writer's hack.

“Make two playlists! One with the softer, more flowing music, like what you hear while traveling in a game. Name it "Field music." This kind of music is supposed to just keep the flow as you travel in the game and it keeps pressure even.”

click here to see original post

I loved the idea so much (that it even inspired this list); so I just found this pre-set playlist, which includes a lot of movie soundtracks, which I think works just as well. And they were completely right; the soundtrack makes everything slow that my writing just begins to copy the pacing; and for me, it's easier to get in the right headspace.

Another great piece of advice on that reddit post was not adding songs with lyrics (or in a language that you're fluent in), because the words will start to distract you; which I think is also a valid point.

Brunuhville

(composer)

Keeping with the slow-paced theme - Brunuhville is one of my favourite composers, and has been for a few years now. His music is amazing, definitely something I love listening to in the background while writing; and he has something for every sort of genre and occasion.

Some of his music I would even call 'trailer soundtracks' because they're so visual and the pacing is nice to match up with scenes. That's nothing to do with writing, but it just means he has a great storytelling aspect within his music, which is really helpful for inspiration.

Peder B. Helland

(composer)

Another one of my favourites, a lot more recently though. His music, for me, is the perfect calming music to write a really sad or slow-paced scene.

Epic Boss Fight

(playlist, by intuitivekoala)

Completely opposite to the Field Music playlist, is the boss fight music. Intense and fast-paced it definitely helps with inspiration when writing action scenes, and making sure the pace of the action is up-tempo at all times.

This has actually really helped me to visualise the scenes better; and it helps when I read back what I've written (both with and without the music) to see if the pacing still works.

Alexis Ffrench

(musician)

Again, another artist that I love - and again, someone who is perfect to listen to for those sad, melancholy scenes.

Studio Ghibli Background Music

(playlist, by Nickie)

My last, recommended playlist! I personally think Studio Ghibli has some of the best music scores and arrangements; it can be both calming and upbeat.

This is not just music I play in the background when writing, it’s fun when doing housework or studying, because it just makes me feel like I’m living in a Studio Ghibli movie (...just me?)

Well, it's definitely worth listening to for either occasion.

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That’s most of my playlists I listen to when writing. I didn’t want to include specific songs - that would take far too long - but if you want any specific recommendations, then feel free to ask.

And tell me your favourite playlists or songs you have on repeat, because we can never have enough writing music.