You Are the Music You Listen to

At least in the moment. So use that to your advantage while writing.

But producing a 500-page manuscript requires a feat from the brain akin to an athlete’s performance, and high-performing athletes do all they can to up their edge. 

The right music gives me that edge, fostering “divergent thinking,” which is unstructured, free-form problem-solving. And writing is largely problem-solving. 

Although all music has structure, I choose pieces that are more free-flowing. 

Now, I’m an old rocker, with a foray into punk. The physicality! The revolt! And I love it when a church service breaks into party dance mode. 

But for writing, it’s ancient all the way. Some Jazz works well, but there’s nothing like Renaissance or medieval music for me. Bach, Hildegard Von Bingen’s pieces, Thomas Tallis, Palestrina, Josquin, etc. Do you know a piece I might like?

With the right music, I’m more focused, and the hours pass kindly and are productive. Consider experimenting and noting what works.