Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-26153435-20150306013815/@comment-25226524-20150317172917

ShawnHowellsCP wrote: I don't listen whilst writing, but rather pre-writing.

This is wise of you Shawn. Listening to music while writing/reading/studying has been proven on multiple occasions to have a negative impact on brain function (cutting efficiency and retention in half in some instances). However, listening to music beforehand, as you do, has been shown to increase creativity and improve quality due to the release of certain chemicals which improve mood and focus. The brain can only handle so much stimulation at one time, and music is simply a distraction, whether you feel like it is or not. Even if you zone out and don't listen to it, it seeps into your subconscious (not to mention that listening to music you supposedly don't notice is pointless).

I know this won't change anyone's mind about their writing rituals, but I just wanted to let you know that you're doing it right as far as science and many great authors are concerned.