I like listening to a wide variety of music and on occasions (particularly when I am in the bath) I turn the volume up to the maximum degree possible without, of course annoying the neighbours! Despite my love of things musical I find it impossible to have music playing, however softly while writing. I find my ears concentrating on the words being sung or the beauty of the music rather than on my writing. My need for silence while working goes back to my school days. Other children could listen to music, watch television or do a whole variety of things while revising for their O and A levels, not me, I needed quiet to concentrate.

My need for quiet entails turning off my mobile, logging out of e-mail and disregarding the landline, yes I am an antisocial beast while writing! Once my concentration is broken I find it difficult to focus completely on writing again as that conversation with my mum or the e-mail from my friend is competing for attention with the story I’m composing.

I will pause while writing to make a cup of coffee or to enjoy a few moments stroking my dog, however I do not perceive these breaks as distractions, rather they help to keep the creative juices going (the coffee keeps me alert and playing with my four legged friend helps to relax me). On this basis I think that I am an antisocial coffee drinker who loves his dog, well I can think of worse things to be!

Kevin