Creativity

Although you might enjoy rocking out to Pearl Jam or singing along with Britney Spears as you write, some studies show that writers who listen to classical music while they work can enhance their creativity and success.

The term "Mozart effect" was coined to describe the theory that listening to classical music provides a short term improvement in a listener's ability to perform certain tasks, including visualization which affects art and other creative acts like writing.

Many believe that the creative mind is stimulated by music that is complex, challenging, and enjoyable. So, listening to classical music may boost a writer's success and productivity by increasing creativity.

How to Use Music to Increase Creativity While Writing

1) Play classical music while you write
2) Choose material that is new to you but is in a style you like.
3) Switch to new music as soon as the old music gets boring.
4) Repetitive music and lyrics may actually decrease creativity, so be careful when listening to the radio or to popular CDs.
 

Some Research Says It Works

Studies described by French researcher Dr. Alfred Tomatis in 1991 showed that use of Mozart's music had positive effects on the mental performances of disabled children. In 1993, reports by psychologist Frances H. Rauscher and physicist Gordon Shaw indicated that listening to a Mozart piano sonata actually improves the ability to "think in pictures," which is important to creativity.

Don Campbell trademarked the phrase "Mozart Effect" and used it in his 1997 book, The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit. The idea that classical music could increase IQ, creativity, other mental benefits became quite popular. However, studies performed over the next few years found limited benefits in using classical music.

If you find yourself distracted by the music or otherwise prefer to write in silence, do just that. The writing process is different for everyone, so experiment and then choose what brings success. There are many other ways for writers to stimulate creativity besides listening to classical music.