This is something that writers vary on significantly, but I don’t think any would deny that music is a powerful influence on mood, and mood is a critical element of any writer’s process. For me, music is not essential, but can be valuable in drowning out external distractions. For example, people in public places, who don’t know where to stick their earphones. Anyway, my choices are instrumental, and eclectic – ranging from classical through rock, metal, and prog to electronica, but it is soundtracks (played at considerably lower volume than in cinemas) that predominate. The work of Howard Shore is well represented (Lord of the Rings; Crash; Copland), and Bernard Herman’s work for Alfred Hitchcock conjures high drama and romance (North by Northwest is in my Top 3 films, all-time). Max Richter is a new(ish) entry, skilfully melding electronica and classical themes, and I rely on Mogwai to inject darker, more sinister tones. BUT, I have a go-to duo who never fail to spark my creativity, and that is Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. I have long been a dedicated fan of Nine Inch Nails, and apply The Fragile to some scenarios, but it is Reznor & Ross’s rich and varied catalogue that I rely on to transport me into my writing headspace. Watchmen; Bird Box; mid90s (Jonah Hill’s excellent directorial debut); The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (inferior US production), all are excellent but, for me, their soundtrack to The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin / David Fincher, 2010) is exceptional. If In Motion doesn’t get your toes tapping with a restless need to just DO SOMETHING(!!) then I suspect your feet are cast in concrete ;O)