I've been suffering writer's block for some weeks now; its incredible how much time you can spend editing WIkipedia when you should be writing. Music helps, and I finally broke the back of the current book chapter over the weekend by running Parsifal in background (the Hilton in San Jose has a great speaker system that you can plug your iPod into). I tweeted this and got some responses, then I asked the what next question? After you have spent hours in the company of one of the most profound pieces of music ever written, but you have still not finished, then what do you play next? I settled for Sibelius, modern but different. Again I tweeted and some suggestions came back. What really impressed me however is the way in which a micro-blogging tool like twitter can make it feel like other people are sharing your issues and trying to help. No longer isolated on the 17th floor of yet another international hotel, but connected to friends (some of whom I have only met on line.
Other suggestions for the record (and apologies if I have missed any)
- Retweet @snowded: What do you play after Parsival? Attempting Sibelius. Answer: try Mahler. But only if listening, not while working.
- @snowded Too German, perhaps something Russian? Rachmaninoff is thematic without all of the tragedy.
- @snowded suggest Shostokovich 8th symphony; Sibelius choice: 5th symphony, especially the 4th mvmt -- great fun
- @snowded Listen to Gesualdo if you really want a break. Early renaissance. Unsurpassed.
Comments (3)
As regards writers block, can I recommend Gerald Weinberg's 'Weinberg on Writing' - an approach to writing that seems to take narrative fragments and blend them together (can't see that catching on!).
He blogs at
http://www.geraldmweinberg.com/Site/Home.html
There was an interesting discussion on music at work on a design blog; my reading of it was - great for drawing, designing, bad idea for verbal tasks. Mozart is supposed to be good for you (probably junk science). Me - the incomparable Rosalyn Tureck and 48 preludes and fugues to get focused and then lose the headphones.
Posted by Brian Sherwood Jones | September 23, 2008 10:43 AM
Posted on September 23, 2008 10:43
PS (sorry)
http://weinbergonwriting.blogspot.com/2007/10/debunking-myth-of-writers-block.html
has a link to a short video on debunking the myth of writers block.
Posted by Brian Sherwood Jones | September 23, 2008 11:02 AM
Posted on September 23, 2008 11:02
Dave
I use all of these plus Elgar (Cello and Symphony)- Saint Saens has masses I like the Organ Symphony in particular and if I want to be very sad Tchaikovsky's 6th
My best part about Twitter is often when I have a technical problem - not only do I get fast help from friends but now even the vendor is getting back such as Typepad
So yes - I am alone but not - it's a comforting feeling
Rob
Posted by Robert Paterson | September 23, 2008 12:06 PM
Posted on September 23, 2008 12:06