Music and Writing

I don't know about any of you out there, but I've reached a point where I won't write without being accompanied by music of some kind. Before I used music as much as I do now, I averaged around 2,500-3,000 words every time I wrote. But now that music is more of a factor, I'm writing upwards of 3,000-4,000 words a day. All the proof of music's help is there.

Now I'm not here to tell other writers what they should be doing, everyone has their own way of doing things. But I've read article after article about the psychological benefits of listening to music everyday or while doing certain things, writing included. I personally have yet to hear about a writer listening to anything while they write, but seeing as I find it as beneficial as I do I figure I should be the one to say so. Sure, originally I found it kind of distracting to the process, but I worked through it, and stopped cranking the volume up to 11, light volume is definitely the way to go.

Another thing I seem to see in my own writing strategies, is that my writing is better when I listen to certain things at certain points, music that just fits the feeling the writing is trying to convey. I call these songs the book's 'playlist' because they are the ones I listen to the most often while writing that particular book, and it seems to change heavily when I start a new book. A new feeling requires a new playlist. Of course, the playlist doesn't necessarily have to change completely. I have had one song on the last three playlists I've created, it just seems to fit a portion of every one of the books.

So, long blog made short, I would suggest at least trying music out if you haven't already. And if you're listing to music while writing already, spread the word. I'm reading a lot of crap ideas that I've heard before, a lot of recycled garbage like always. Music is a writing strategy that not enough people talk about, and I think that's one of the biggest shortfalls in writing today.

Amazon Matchbook: What is it?

Amazon Matchbook is a brand new marketing strategy from Amazon (and I'm talking three days old new) that should be able to help you sell more books, or so it claims. The idea is to offer people a discount on Kindle editions of books after they buy the print version. Authors have the option to sell their books on discount for free, $.99, $1.99, or $2.99 depending on non-discount prices and on the choice of the author.

Now, I'm more of a seller than a buyer when it comes to books, but to me this idea seems a little odd. If a person already spent $10 on a print book of mine (that's what mine usually go for, but it could be less or more depending on the author) why would they spend extra on a Kindle edition, or even get it for free if they just bought it in print? I don't quite get it, but I didn't go to college for marketing, so maybe I just don't see the potential. Don't get me wrong, it seems like a nice idea, people will go for a bargain on just about anything, mindful or not. Wal-Mart runs specifically on that strategy. Whether or not it will work remains unseen, but I think it will, despite my early doubts.

A few authors out there seem to find some controversy in Matchbook for some reason. From what I've seen, its because they believe that they have no choice but to use the program or to abandon Amazon. Let me just say that is nonsense. Matchbook is activated one book at a time, through checking a little box in the royalty setting page on a book's KDP dashboard. Now the beauty of checking a little box, is that it can go unchecked or once checked it can be unchecked as well. There is an obvious and far from permanent choice to be made when it comes to Matchbook. Authors have the choice to start using it and stop using it whenever. The idea that authors are forced to use it is ludicrous.

My final thought it this: its a nice idea, although it may or may not be effective. I put it into effect on all my books, so we'll see how well it works. The effectiveness will only become apparent in good time.