Unexpected needs:

[mariness]

So I was grousing (panicking) to many of you that my writing progress for much of January had been zilch, none, zip. I knew a couple of the causes - the cold that decided to stop by for a visit, and had difficulty realizing that it really wasn't welcome, and the ongoing bouts of massive fatigue and resulting headaches that left me merrily chasing

Comments

[chattycatsmeow]

I have the same difficulty with lyrics in music as you - sometimes the words in the song creep onto the page while I'm not looking. I generally try to go with instrumental or keep the volume lower on regular music.

Oddly enough, I can be okay with the TV on in the background on low, especially if I'm using it for mood - as in, I've popped in the DVD of a favorite Stargate episode to get me in the right frame of mind for Stargate fiction.

That said, classical music often works best.

[mariness]

I can play games or do needlepoint while the TV is on, and I can write snarky comments about shows, but actual writing (as opposed to liveblogging, say, Lost doesn't work for me.

(I use the phrase "do needlepoint" in its loosest possible sense. The world waits in vain for me to finish any. And yes, this includes very very small needlepoints, so it's not a size issue. Ahem.)

[stronae]

Most of my best technical work has been made while listening to Tori Amos's Scarlet's Walk. Scarlet's Hidden Treasures isn't bad for it, either. And, often it's harder to get started if neither of these is playing. ::shrug::

[mariness]

I should probably try to listen to more of her stuff. English lyrics, though. Good for housecleaning or exercising or driving or whatever, but alas, would be counterproductive with writing for me.