... this isn't something I've ever done. I think part of that is that I don't listen to all that much music anyway, but there's also that I'm far too easily influenced by it - I have /how/ many stories inspired by Heather Dale now? So listening to songs while writing would be a good way to get massive tonal shifts every few paragraphs. ^_^

hS

I listen to a whole lot of music. Alternative/indie stuff, mostly; though I do like Taylor Swift. However, I listen to albums as a whole, not individual songs.

Hmm... I think the best album for writing happy stuff is Grace VanderWaal's Just the Beginning. The best angsty pop album is either Pure Heroine by Lorde or Somewhere in Between by Verite, and the best angsty rock album (in my opinion) is Everything this Way by Walking on Cars. The best album for when you just need something catchy but relaxing is definitely Nocturnal by Yuna. And the best all-purpose album is Ingrid Michaelson's It Doesn't Have to Make Sense.

I hope that's helpful!

Back in college, when I was writing essays or my pre-PPC fanfiction, I would listen to just about anything when I wrote. Getting into the PPC more, I switched to mostly soundtrack-only music, as lyrics were too distracting.

As my work schedule picked up, it got to the point where I could only get writing done on my non-keeper work shifts, where I obviously couldn't have music playing. And now that I'm a full-time keeper, my writing rate has slowed to the point where this question is largely irrelevant, sadly. :(

—doctorlit, pretty much just working, getting ready for work, and sleeping for most of each week now

Mainly on Pandora these days.

The first is built around the Skyrim soundtrack and also features a lot of the Assassin's Creed soundtrack, plus assorted other similar stuff. It's low key, but the occasional exciting rhythmic bits mean it's not low energy. This is a pretty good general purpose one.

The second is built on the group Afro-Celt Sound System. Lots of rhythm here, a little electronic/trance-ish stuff, but not too much. Very global feel. I used this one a lot when writing "The Cabin." Take that as you will. >.>

The third is basically classical music—Mozart, Vivaldi, etc. Though somehow Skyrim tries to sneak in there, too, which was really annoying when I wanted something to work by that didn't make me wish I was writing fanfic instead.

I can't use anything with vocals unless I don't understand the words, and even then, it has to be a voice I like; otherwise it's too distracting. Though it is nice to be distracted by something I like to sing along with every now and then. Dovakiin, Dovakiin, naal ok zin los vahriin, Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal...

~Neshomeh

When I am writing my blog, I listen to the Hamilton soundtrack (some NSFW language and themes). It shouldn't work, what with all the distracting words and all, but it does. I sing along the whole time, too.

When I was finishing up my last article, I made it all the way to It's Quiet Uptown.

The song that re-energizes me once I start to lose steam is Hurricane. I think it's probably the powerful chords and the drive of the song that helps.

-Phobos, musical theatre nerd