Music

Mostly, when I'm writing, I listen to instrumental music, so the words don't interfere. But it has to be just the right kind. Classical, in my mind is too loud and harsh, and movie soundtracks are ok, but primarily for the sweeping, dramatic scenes. Usually I want something that is a more earthy and airy and a little less battlegroundesque. 

These are some of my favorite artists and albums for that purpose, listed from most relaxing to most energizing:

Mum* -Finally We Are No One
The Album Leaf - In a Safe Place
Joey Fehrenbach -Mellowdrama
Robyn Miller - Myst Soundtrack (yes I used to play this, yes I listen to the soundtrack)
Sigur Ros* - Anything and everything Sigur Ros
Little People - Mickey Mouse Operation
Sunlounger -
The Future Sounds of London - Lifeforms  and Accelerator
William Orbit - Hello Waveforms
Nightmares on Wax - Carboot Soul, Mind Elevation
Bonobo - Black Sands
Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everything

Also a smattering of things from Buckethead, RJD2, Mark Farina, Telepopmusik, Bibio, Caribou, Thievery Corporation, Four Tet, The Orb, and Sia often show up on my playlists.  Sometimes I sneak in a bit of things with actual words, and if I do they are invariably Lykke Li, Junip or Iron and Wine.

For my Sci-Fi MS, songs by William Orbit, AWOLNation, and Carbon Based Lifeforms also tend to work their way in.

*Some of these have lyrics here & there, but often you can't understand what they're saying ; )

However, in addition to instrumental things, I also have music with lyrics that I play before writing (or sometimes while I am writing) that is more ... inspirational music: The soundtrack to the book, to the character's lives. Here are those playlists:

Farlight - A Playlist

Eyes - Rogue Wave
Sail - AWOLNation
Team  - Lorde
Obedear - Purity Ring
Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
Princess of China - Coldplay & Rihanna
All Around the World - Anthem Lights
Depth of my Soul - Thievery Corporation
Driveway - Great Northern
Let it Go - Fauxliage
Parra for Cuva feat. Anna Naklab - Wicked Games
Prayer in C - Robin Schulz
This Time Around - Tove Lo
Ellie Goulding
William Orbit
Carbon Based Lifeforms

The Awakening of Minna Gray - A Playlist

Silvia - Miike Snow
Satellite - Guster
I Follow Rivers - Lykke Li
I Drive Alone - Esthero
Heavy in Your Arms - Florence + The Machine
Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine
Boy with a Coin - Iron & Wine
Tired of Being Sorry - Ringside
Struggle - Ringside
Wonder - Dan Black
Breathe - Telepopmusik
Don't look Back - Telepopmusik
Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez
Desert - Emilie Simon
Breathe Me - Sia
They - Jem
Damaged Ones - Anna Ternheim
Sundrenched World - Joshua Radin
The Hill - Marketa Irglova
I Don't Feel it Anymore - William Fitzsimmons
Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Big Jet Plane - Angus & Julia Stone
Feel it in my Bones - Tegan and Sara

Minna's Playlist Desert - Emilie Simon Spell - Marie Digby Almost Lover  - A Fine Frenzy Wash Away- Matt Costa Reasons to Love You - Meiko Sleep - Meiko Fade Into You - Mazzy Star Breathe Me - Sia	Piper's Playlist New Soul - Yael Naim I Feel it All - Feist My Moon My Man - Feist Mushaboom - Feist Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Walking with a Ghost - Tegan and Sara Au Port - Camille Little Bit - Lykke Li Speechless - Armik
Cass' Playlist Until We Bleed - Lykke Li I Know Places - Lykke Li Damaged Ones - Anna Ternheim	Corrin's Playlist Satellite - Guster Tired of Being Sorry - Ringside I Summon You - Spoon Starlight - Muse Raw Sugar - Metric Feel it in My Bones - Tegan & Sara