On Writing: The Best Writing Playlist & Best Writing Music

In the quietude of a morning, before the world has fully awakened, a novelist sits at her desk. Her fingers hover over the keyboard. She takes a deep breath, presses play, and as the first notes drift through her headphones, the words begin to flow. Like Proust's madeleine unlocking memory, music unlocks narrative—a phenomenon as old as storytelling itself.

The relationship between music and writing resembles that of lovers who bring out the best in each other while occasionally driving each other mad. Some writers require monastic silence; others thrive in the cacophony of a café. And then there are those of us who curate our literary journeys through carefully crafted playlists—sonic landscapes that transport us to the worlds we're trying to create.

The Science of Sound and Creativity: Why Music Matters

The connection between music and writing performance isn't just anecdotal—it's backed by neuroscience. According to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, background music can significantly enhance creative writing performance, particularly when the music matches the emotional tone of the writing task.

Researchers found that participants writing while listening to music exhibited 28% higher scores on measures of linguistic creativity compared to those writing in silence. More surprisingly, they discovered that the brain's default mode network—associated with imagination and creative thinking—showed increased connectivity when participants listened to music that aligned with their writing goals.

"Music provides a consistent auditory environment that can help maintain focus by blocking out unpredictable ambient noises," explains cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Emily Foster. "Additionally, familiar music requires minimal cognitive processing, allowing writers to direct their attention to the creative process while still benefiting from the emotional stimulation that music provides."

The impact varies by genre and personal preference. While classical music is often cited as ideal for focus, individual associations with different musical styles can dramatically alter their effectiveness. What matters most is finding music that serves your specific creative process rather than interfering with it.

Finding Your Writing Rhythm: Categories of Writing Music

As we explored in our article on brain pickings, the creative mind requires different forms of stimulation at different times. The same applies to writing music. Here are the main categories that writers gravitate toward:

1. Instrumental and Classical

Instrumental music—whether classical, post-rock, or ambient—eliminates the potential distraction of lyrics while still providing emotional cues. Film scores work particularly well, as they're designed to enhance narrative without overwhelming it.

Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist and author of "This Is Your Brain on Music," explains that "music without lyrics engages different neural pathways than music with words, making it less likely to compete with the language centers in the brain that you're using for writing."

2. Familiar Favorites

Many writers maintain a trusted playlist of songs they know so well that the music becomes almost subliminal. When a song is deeply familiar, it requires less active processing, allowing it to fade into the background while still providing comfort and stimulation.

3. Mood Matching

Perhaps the most sophisticated approach is selecting music that matches the emotional tone of what you're writing. Writing a melancholy scene? Reach for Leonard Cohen. Crafting an action sequence? Queue up something with driving percussion.

4. White Noise and Nature Sounds

For those who find music distracting but can't work in complete silence, white noise or nature sounds provide a constant, non-melodic auditory backdrop. Apps like Brain.fm and Noisli have gained popularity among writers who need sound without the emotional stimulation of music.

Genre-Specific Writing Soundtracks: What the Pros Use

Different writing genres often call for different musical accompaniments. We reached out to several professional writers to learn about their preferences:

Thriller author Tess Gerritsen relies heavily on film scores: "I listen to composers like Hans Zimmer and Thomas Newman because they evoke tension without competing with the language centers in my brain."

Fantasy novelist N.K. Jemisin creates custom playlists for each novel: "For 'The Fifth Season,' I listened to a lot of apocalyptic post-rock—Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky. The sense of impending doom in that music was perfect for what I was trying to create."

Romance writer Christina Lauren (the pen name for writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) gravitates toward indie folk: "There's something about the intimacy of artists like Bon Iver and The Civil Wars that helps us access emotional vulnerability in our characters."

These approaches align with what we discussed in our article about different tones in writing—the external stimuli we choose can significantly influence the voice and atmosphere we create on the page.

The Ultimate Writing Playlist: Recommendations from Professional Writers

Based on our research and personal experience, we've compiled what we consider the ultimate writing playlist. These selections work across various genres and writing moods, providing a versatile soundtrack for your creative endeavors:

For Deep Focus and Flow

1. Brian Eno's "Music for Airports" - The pioneer of ambient music created this specifically to fade into the background while maintaining a consistent atmosphere.
2. Max Richter's "Sleep" - Composed as "an eight-hour lullaby," this neo-classical masterpiece is perfect for extended writing sessions.
3. Tycho's "Awake" - Melodic electronic music with a warm, analog feel that enhances focus without demanding attention.

For Emotional Writing

1. Ólafur Arnalds - The Icelandic composer creates minimalist pieces that carry profound emotional weight with sparse instrumentation.
2. Sufjan Stevens' "Carrie & Lowell" - While it does contain lyrics, the intimate, whispered quality of this album makes it surprisingly non-intrusive for writing emotionally charged scenes.
3. Grouper's "Ruins" - Haunting, distant vocals and piano create a sense of melancholy perfect for writing reflective passages.

For Action and Intensity

1. Hans Zimmer's "Interstellar" soundtrack - The relentless forward momentum of tracks like "Mountains" can propel your writing through intense scenes.
2. Daft Punk's "TRON: Legacy" soundtrack - Electronic music with orchestral elements that creates tension without becoming distracting.
3. Two Steps From Hell - This production company specializes in epic, cinematic music designed to accompany dramatic moments.

According to a survey of 500 professional writers conducted by Writer's Digest, nearly 67% report having a dedicated playlist or album they return to repeatedly when writing. The most frequently mentioned artists include Ludovico Einaudi, Brian Eno, and film composer Thomas Newman.

Creating Your Personal Writing Soundtrack: A Step-by-Step Guide

As we've noted in our article about how to speed write, establishing optimal writing conditions—including your audio environment—can dramatically improve productivity. Here's how to build the perfect writing playlist:

1. Identify Your Writing Needs

Different writing tasks may require different types of music. Ask yourself:

• Are you drafting or editing?
• What's the emotional tone of your current project?
• How much focus do you need right now?

2. Experiment Systematically

Try writing to different types of music for set periods (say, 25-minute sessions) and immediately note how productive you felt. Over time, patterns will emerge about what works best for you.

3. Consider Music Structure

Look for music with:

• Consistent tempo (drastic changes can break concentration)
• Limited dynamic range (extreme volume shifts can be jarring)
• Predictable patterns (repetition helps the mind stay focused)

4. Manage Lyrics Carefully

If you find lyrics distracting, consider:

• Music in languages you don't understand
• Vocals used as instruments rather than narrative elements
• Songs you know so well that the lyrics have become background

5. Build Multiple Playlists

Create separate playlists for:

• Morning writing vs. evening writing
• Different projects or genres
• Various emotional states

Spotify and other streaming platforms have made this process infinitely easier than in the days of physical media. You can even find pre-made "writing music" playlists curated by other authors and enthusiasts.

When Music Becomes Counterproductive: Recognizing the Limits

While music enhances writing for many, it's not universal. According to the same Writer's Digest survey mentioned earlier, approximately 22% of professional writers report that they work exclusively in silence.

Music can become counterproductive when:

• It evokes memories that pull you out of your writing mindset
• The lyrics compete with the words you're trying to write
• The emotional tone conflicts with what you're trying to create
• You find yourself listening more than writing

As we've discussed in our article on freewriting, sometimes the best creative environment is one with minimal distractions. If music becomes a distraction rather than an aid, don't hesitate to embrace silence.

Beyond Music: Alternative Audio Environments for Writers

While music dominates the discussion of writing soundtracks, other audio options can be equally effective:

Coffitivity and Ambient Noise

The website Coffitivity recreates the ambient sounds of a café, which research suggests may be ideal for creative thinking. A study from the University of Chicago found that moderate ambient noise (around 70 decibels—the level of a busy café) enhances performance on creative tasks.

Binaural Beats

These specially engineered sounds claim to induce specific brainwave states. While the scientific evidence remains mixed, many writers report enhanced focus when listening to beats designed for concentration, typically in the alpha (8-13 Hz) or beta (14-30 Hz) range.

ASMR and Meditation Sounds

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) content—featuring soft, repetitive sounds like whispers, tapping, or page-turning—has gained popularity among some writers who find it deeply relaxing and conducive to creative flow.

The Perfect Balance: Curating Your Writing Experience

Ultimately, the relationship between music and writing is deeply personal. What works for one writer may be disastrous for another. The goal isn't to find the "correct" writing soundtrack but to discover what helps you access your creative potential most effectively.

As novelist Haruki Murakami, known for his rigorous writing routine accompanied by jazz music, puts it: "I don't know how the music I listen to affects my writing, but it does. The rhythm of the music gets inside me and becomes the rhythm of my writing."

The ancient Greeks believed that the Muses—goddesses of literature, science, and the arts—spoke directly to artists, providing divine inspiration. Perhaps today's writers have simply replaced these mythical muses with Spotify playlists and noise-canceling headphones. The quest remains the same: to find that external stimulus that unlocks our internal worlds.

Finding Your Writing Soundtrack: The Personal Journey of Creative Discovery

Whether you prefer the structured complexity of Bach, the atmospheric landscapes of ambient music, or the simple sound of rainfall against a window, what matters is finding the audio environment that helps your words flow most freely.

Music, at its best, becomes a portal—a way to bypass our analytical minds and access the deeper currents of creativity that power our best writing. It creates a cocoon of sound that both shelters us from distraction and stimulates the emotional centers necessary for authentic expression.

So the next time you sit down to write, consider not just what you'll write, but what you'll hear as you write it. Your perfect writing soundtrack might be just a play button away.

Looking to enhance your writing with professionally crafted content that sings to your audience? At Hire a Writer, we understand the rhythm of great prose and how to create content that resonates. Contact us today to discover how our writing services can amplify your voice and engage your readers on a deeper level.