writing on a dark academia train bound for a snowy mountain village ✍🏼 ✨ (ambience + music) 

I took a writing retreat on an Amtrak train last summer, 3 days & nights in roomette by myself, from LA to NYC. It was amazing and I got a lot of writing done. There's literally nothing else to do, besides stare out the window, your meals are brought to you (and the food is pretty good), and there's such a sense of peace as the world passes by, which is unexpectedly inspiring. I'm doing it again in April, but the reverse this time, NYC to LA. If you don't get motion sickness, I highly recommend it!

I don't know what it is about these but they increase me productivity like crazy!

omg I love these immersive writing videos! some ideas for future ones (just because it's fun to come up with ideas for these hahaha) : 1) house on the coast, a window from which you can see the sea and hear the waves and seagulls 2) a solitaire diner in the middle of nowhere, with retro decor, the occasional sounds of coffee brewing, the clicking of plates, etc 3) a picnic in a forest on a warm day, the sun filtering through the branches, the sounds of birds and nature 4) the sparse rooftop of a building in a busy city alive at nighttime, from which you can see the skyline, the lights, hear the sounds of traffic and the muffled noise that comes from big cities

I've tried dozens of these writing soundtracks and this is the only one I've found that actually is distraction free! I've been returning to this one every day for the last couple of weeks while working and today, the dog is playing on the landing with a squeaky chew toy and there are road works with diggers and trucks outside the window. I'm working on my Master's with a deadline in a few days and I would be in trouble without this on the headphones. Before anyone says 'get back to work', I'm writing this message on the 5-minute break! Thank you for this, Abbie. Wonderful work.

Abbie, I've been listening to the audiobook of 100 days on sunlight. You're narrating skills capture it so well, I feel like I'm watching a movie.

Oh my god I love when you make these. Sometimes I don’t feel like writing, and instead want to watch random youtube videos and all that, but I hear the music and just can’t resist the urge to work on my project and so I do. Thanks so much!

Single-handedly keeping these views up. I’ve listened to this at least 50 times since nano started. I’m basically to the point I can’t even write without “my train”. 😅

How this music was super effective I didn't even realize an hour had passed and I got the creative writing I wanted to do done. thanks for posting this!

This writing session is so cozy and immersive... I am currently editing my WIP which I have "finished" right as my birthday came around. I am so excited to see how my story develops as I perfect it. I've never ever gotten so far in a story before! Thank you, Abbie, for inspiring and emboldening us to write!

First day of nanowrimo 2023 and I've surpassed 4k words thanks to this video. Thanks so much and please keep making more of these!

This helped me crank out 3,000 words like it was nothing, I don't even know how that happened. Thanks!

my WIP is finally getting...well...progressed!

12:00 - Not only do i play this daily when writing (this and the write with me, twice a day) but all the music inspired me to keep playing piano! I love it all

I wrote over 2K words with this! I am so proud of myself, thank you for making this!!!!❤🔥❤🔥

I gotta admit, this had me falling asleep. BUT it was one of the most magical sleeping experiences I've ever had.

Thanks!

I was a bit sceptical about the usefulness of sprints in writing, but wow, it's so good to keep me focused! Thank you for the lovely playlist!

I am so grateful for this playlist. When I want to start working, all I have to do is start listening and suddenly I am able to focus, no matter how tired or unmotivated I am. I finally finished my master's thesis and I never could've done it without this playlist.

This music and ambience is amazing. I write so much every time I listen to this and absolutely love that it is truly distraction free. You have no idea how helpful this has been. Thank you for making this!

Wow, this is the perfect combination of breaks, encouragement and deeply immersive music. The backdrop is so lovely (yet not distracting). I used the break times to do a little stretching, which is a double win. This is the first time in years, I've felt motivated to sit for hours, and type my draft poetry into edited finals. Thank you isn't enough. You created a masterpiece so we could be inspired. My happiest of gratitude's to you 🙏🤍

This is awesome, didn't think it would really "work" but the sprint and break segments were very helpful. I was able to work for 25 minutes straight without getting distracted. Also the music is perfect cause it matches the sprint segment, which propelled me to keep working. Lastly the music isn't distracting, nor did it put me to sleep. Highly recommend.

This helped me a looooot! Thank you so much Abbie. I've using this everyday to write my romance and in two months my book has 180.000 words and I was able to finish it. Guys, this keep going and you can do it!

Miss Abbie, I've watched many of your writing videos and taken notes. Came across this video randomly, clicked because I'm seeking music for when I paint. Something evocative to get lost in and set a mood. Then realized it was you :) What a lovely addition to your instructive videos. Thank you! This is perfect be it for writing or painting. I'll check out your other ambience videos soon. Cheers!

This video and your others with writing sprints got me through writer's block, thank you so much. I love this music so much and the sprints really encourages me to write and also helps me get a break from the screen. I never get bored of this music! I shared this with my brother, and he really loves how it includes the 5 minute breaks, I've never found other videos with that included.

My favorite paragraph in my novel is The door creaked as the rain slowly rolled in three cars pulled in. The head lights were shining through the tiny peep in the curtain. Our dog was wagging her tail. Jayden, Lacey and Jordan came in and Devi hugged Lacey as the power turned off the sound of silence was inevitable. Jayden came up to Levi and hugged him really tight. I looked at my watch and it was 8:30pm. “Levi go to my room and lay down.” I said “Okay!” He said as he skipped into my bedroom. Cayden came home with eight more sleeping bags and twenty blankets. As the sound of the soothing rain was dimming down. Your vids are amazing keep up the hard work!

I love these immersive writing videos :D I think it’d be cool to have one where you’re in like, a cafe on a rainy day or something, and then it gradually gets darker outside

OoOoOoh. When I saw the title, I didn't think it would benefit me, but the music at around 32:00 is ✨ P E R F E C T ✨ for my dark moment. Amazing work as always, Abbie!! Thank you :) Sidenote: I've been really enjoying 100 Days of Sunlight. You are such an immersive writer. I can relate with both Tessa and Weston, depending on which POV I'm reading (& tbh I can't decide on which is my favorite). I'm so close to the end, and I'm very excited to see how it ends. Thank you for being all our author role model 😊

Doing my final edits to my book while listening to this. Literally the most perfect background noise, especially for someone writing a historical fiction. About to submit to publishing companies, I'm so excited. Wish me luck!

This is absolutely the most perfect video for writing I have ever seen-the warm colors and old-money styled scene, the almost muted music, the soft sounds of the train the background… just simply perfect. ❤ I wish I could experience this at least once in my life someday.

This is the best ambient writing music I've listened to so far, although I write a little differently than most here I assume. I write computer programs, but still find this very productive. Thank you!

This has become my new favorite thing!! 😍😍 Finally finishing a novel I've been working on for 6 years is my main goal for this year and THIS is how I'm going to do it. So glad I happened upon this video. Writing my book on a train would be heaven.

Abbie, I want to say thank you for your immersive videos, especially this one. As of last week I finished off my largest writing project using your word sprints. My word count was almost 300K words. The timer kept me on track and made sure I concentrated. Thank you again.

Listening to this while it snows outside and I write my application to be a librarian is so perfect. Thank you Abbie!

I didn't think it would work, but this method is actually helping me lots. I feel so pushed to keep writing and words flow out way easier than what I'm used to. I love it, thank you sooo much for this.

This is so helpful! I first used it when working on lesson plans (I'm an art teacher), and then I have used it daily all this month...today I passed the 48,000 word mark in NaNoWriMo! My novel is a historical/romance about an artist who joins the Resistance in WWII France. Another idea for an immersive writing video: celebratory post-war train ride though Europe with music of Glenn Miller and Josephine Baker...with a clacking typewriter...Update: hit 50K today!

I finished 100 Days Of Sunlight a couple days ago, and OMG IT'S AMAZING. I love Weston so much, and I adore your writing! Everything about the story was just so beautiful and inspiring. I'm so glad I read it!!

This got me through the first half of a research paper I've been putting off for over a week now. I had the general outline and a few sources but I couldn't bring myself to write anything down. Now I think I've got a pretty solid half a rough draft and I'm forcing myself to stop and go to bed, so thank you!!!

This writing session has become my favourite of the ones you have produced so far, I use it basically every time I write, even if I don’t plan to write for 2 hours straight ❤❤

Sitting at my desk aboard the dark academia train is truly immersive. It has been key in getting me back to my story, one pomodoro at a time. I love it. Thank you.

I didn’t even think this would work but it has me HAMMERRINGGG away at this fic i kinda choked on.. like literally how did the sprint and pause thing actually get me to write for 50 minutes… thats crazy.. super good video💙 much love and will probably check out your other stuff !! Its great

Peace! Best wishes to everybody. ☮

More of these please! So hard to find good writing music without ads

The music and the sounds are so soothing and relaxing, I'm studying for my A/Ls and this is very helpful.

That’s amazing! I’ve always struggled to write, and in going through my first 25 minutes with this I managed to write 1000 words in half an hour.

This is just perfection.I am so glad I found this writing session, it’s the perfect, needed vibe for my novel. Thank you so much for this gift💗💗.

“Honestly, do you really want me to succeed?” I asked without the edge of incredulity I usually sported. “Why are you making this so easy? I’m relaxed and eager. Did you mean for me to be in this place of comfort and positive anticipation of the very thing I’ve wanted for 17 years?” I looked down at my toes at that moment for some unknown reason. “Of course I want that honey, more than anything. Why don’t you go rest while you watch the sunset out the window?” I glanced at the light sparkling through the glass as it landed on the base of my treasured lamp. I pulled my shoulders back a bit and let out a long breath but it was a slow and cool breath, not one that turned into a huff at the tail end. “Here, have a seat. Let me know if you want anything and I’ll get it for you. It’s simply been such a long journey and you need both rest and support from me. I’m here, I’m really finally here thanks to your patience and my persistence. We are winning, don’t you see? We will realize our dreams together now, do not worry anymore.” And with that, you brushed the hair from my forehead, smiled, and then moved gently into the hall. I sat down in disbelief. Was this the reckoning of my life? I wouldn’t consider this a do over but more of a continuation of a dream I knew had been unfolding since before I was born. Could I share myself to the utmost of my creative longing? Would you really remain by my side as I had yours? I was a bit unsure if I should put any of my thoughts to paper. But wasn’t that what I wanted? Didn’t I want my words to flow and become the animated creatures I imagined them to be? I felt your physical presence still although you had left my side. I even felt the sense of your slight movement against my body. I blinked hard and shook my head just a little. I knew the head shake was a warning to myself to finally rest assured that the depths of what I had come to bring of myself, my breadth of knowing and my gift yet not given would lie dormant no longer. I looked under a tea cup for a pen, one that had an engraving with my initials was still there. My satchel had a pad. I opened it and was surprised to see a note. My heart dropped a bit. It appeared to be an old good bye letter from years prior. But the writing had been redacted and in place of the words that once stung were the simple words, “I love you, keep going.” A big sigh escaped through my breath. “I won’t be one to withhold,” I said, almost imperceptibly but still aloud. With delight I noticed that right then the last of the setting sun was making it in through the window. The dimming light on the colors blurred as I sat mesmerized by it all. Finally I told myself, “you deserve this, you’ve been here all along. You’ve strived. You’ve ventured, you’ve gained. You’ve lost. You’ve never gone away. You’ve never gone astray. Fulfillment is in your nature and now you will offer this to the world. No matter what comes of it, you’ll take what is inside of you and pour it into the world and that is the utter magnificence of it. Thank you.” I turned the pen over in my hand, it felt exactly right. ~Todd

This is just beautiful. Listened while medical charting and worked wonderfully. Love that your music is not too generic, and deeply feeling.

While not a writer, this ambience has become my go to for studying. It helps me focus and study better. Thank you.

I've gone through so many of these, and so far, this is the best episode for writing for me. I've played this twice already! Thanks Abbie

Wrote a 1,100 words in 30 mins. Thanks so much for this ambiance. It helped a lot.

This is so calming and perfect! And I wanted to say thank you Abbie for everything you do for us on your channel! I have become such a better writer since I found your channel. You are also such a motivating person, so thank you again!!

This is so genuinely helpful. I’m one of those people that start a hundred pieces that I’ll never finish but the timed marks for breaks and writing keep me focused in a way I usually struggle to be. Also this helps with some tedious stuff at work in Excel. Thirty minutes of plowing through it then five minutes of other stuff like emails really helps me to get stuff done that I’d normally just spin my wheels in.

I must have watched this nearly 12 times in the past 2 weeks! Thank you for the lovely atmosphere!!

This is the first time I'm happily listening to classical music, and I'm over 50! And I'm getting the words in. I love these settings, too. Thank you!

These are the kinds of videos I love listening to when I'm working on my videos or writing my novels. It's so easy getting lost in my own head with music like this playing in the background.

I dream of visiting Scotland, and actually riding the beautiful Jacobite Steam train and seeing the beautiful landscapes of the Scottish countryside! It would be amazing to admire the scenery and views on the way to the destination, then on the train journey back work on writing. I can't afford it at the moment but this video is amazing as well as it's so immersive!

I need to add these immersive sessions... create a play list out of them, and then make specific times every day to listen and work. Good for something timed with breaks to keep me on track with both writing, and not overshooting the time when I have to get ready for work.

ahhh this came at the perfect time! I love writing to these so much and I'm always so productive with your immersive sessions.Thank you so much, Abbie, and please keep 'em coming! 😄

Abbie, if you're a person or a team, thank you for this. It's so comforting and relaxing and I acctually get some thing done. Lots of love to you and all you who are writing och just seeking peace of mind. Have an amazing autumn

This is how I stumbled into your channel I didn't even realize this was a writing video or that a train is almost as good as a thunder storm

This is literally my favorite video to come to for reading, writing, homework, studying, sleeping, calming anxiety, etc. it’s so effective and calming

I use these to study for college currently on my second semester of Grad school. Thanks for the peace during this stressful time

This is one of my favorites to help focus on writing.

This has been so helpful to me to get through my work day since I'm a technical writer. I typically use the Pomedoro method with just a timer, but this is much more enjoyable. I love the ambience and the music. Time just flies by when I'm writing with this in the background.

Honestly this is also good for studying. I remember that this specific video helped me to focus before more than once (usually the music I found is boring, not appropiate for the ambience or kinda "moving", I mean, I started daydreaming, not focusing at all), and now I found it again, so thank you!!

What is the name of the instrumental music? I love this vibe. Please make more of these immersive writing sessions. I love how calming this one is.

I love those writing sessions so much! And they are SO inspiring. Thank you 🧡

These immersives are wonderful! I had to edit a presentation for work and I put this on. First time listening to something like this. Took classical piano for nine years while in school but haven’t touched a piano in years. I could swear I felt my brain waves change! My next writing session, I will definitely try either this one or the cozy place by the sea one. I can already tell it will benefit my output. 😃

I lost my creative flow for a while and couldn't write much. I've tried listening to this video (my fav), and I've been able to write a few chapters in a row on my WIP. My story is back on track (yes, pun intended). Thank you so much!

I've been listening to this so much during the last days, because wether it is actual writing that I'm doing or just writing into my diary or getting stuff for my day job done.. it's so immensly calming and helps to focus. Thank's so much for this wonderful soundtrack to my productiveness!

Thank you so much for this video! I'm always amazed at how I arrive at a starting point after a writer's block. Love the idea of sprints too.

I so appreciate finding this video. It's helping me write my novella. There's something about getting lost in a story---how it almost writes itself and tells you where it wants to go...what it wants to be.

Literally at work punching through emails and my full CRM. Crazy how it just creates a full enveloped background but also keeps me alert enough! Crazy. Love it.

Please make more of these! They are perfect for studying to and the breaks help me keep a good balance!

Life Hack for the Overwhelmed: Use big headphones, Play This at half volume And 8D Audio Rain at sounds at half volume simultaneously. I feel like I'm ascending

Abbie, I need to write daily for work and your video is a joy, and so helpful. Thank you. 🩷

THANK YOU I was having a total block, having had a huge break from my WIP and just feeling like I was losing connection with it, but this helped so much though it did make me cry before it could make me write 😂 thank you Abbie you are amazing 🥰

This is one of my go-to writing videos. I appreciate the scenery and the timer so I remember to take breaks on a regular basis. Love it!

replaying this over and over writing dnd sessions, thanks a ton from the DMs!

I can't thank you enough for this beautiful music and ambience. It's truly relaxing while at the same time stimulating and inspiring. Thank you!!

That's amazing!

I love these!! They always inspire me to write!!!

I used to write about 1000 words per hour, but while listening to your playlist and using the breaks to actually concentrate on planning in a more precise way the next few scenes I want to write, I ended up writing more than 4000 words on a session. No distractions and a classy ambience bgm sure do wonder

This video has been saving my soul alive this last month, along with my word count! Thank you for this, it's honestly amazing.

Words just flow from my heart so smoothly.

I wish I had found this sooner! It helps me focus on my work and take small brakes. I'm so happy you have a whole playlist with more of this. Thank you!! It will help out a lot ❤

Really good choice of music. This helped me going at work! No anxiety or energy crashes for me! Fantastic tool! I skip the breaks personally because the songs really draw me!

This video has gotten me through the last few months of my masters program, which I am finishing up as we speak!! Yahoo!! Thank you so much for coming alongside me and helping me stay focused on assignments and helping me limit my time on the computer. I could honestly sit on the computer all day, which isn't healthy, but this video helps me to plot out my time better.

So good - I LOVE your immersive writing sessions! This one has to be one of my favourites. Thank you for making it!

I swear you deserve a portion of my credit hours this semester bc of how much this has helped me read/write both schoolwork and personal stuff, thank you

Great help to work and also be reminded to take a break. I was sure productive today.

Thank you Abbie for your wonderful videos!! I look forward to them when I sit down for my writing sessions. I feel like I am back on the trains in Italy seeing the countryside again !! Appreciate all that you do to help inspire all of us writers.

Thank you so much for putting this together. I absolutely love it. This helps me to really focus in on my writing. I try to build atmosphere like this and this just makes the entire process so much easier and it's quicker for me to jump into the proper mindset. Thank you a thousand times over!

These are great exercises. You're always a great help to our writing. Thank you, Abbie.

The immersive sessions are wonderful. TY ❤

I wrote till my laptop ran out of battery. Love the train background noise along with the music. Very inspirational.

I think I’ve listened to this every day since it came out 😂 perfect for focusing and getting the ✨vibe✨ Thanks Abbie! Love all your videos & writing tips.

I love this, this helps me focus so well. Very calming setting, i love it!

I never realised how great writing in sprints was. I've been more productive than I thought I could ever be.

First off, Abbie I absolutely love trains, I even fall asleep to train horns. I've been looking everywhere for the perfect writing music and while there's a lot on RU-vid, they just don't get me going. Then I found you and this melodic instrumentation on the train, what in life is better. Now that just got you a new subscriber. Thank you. Thank you very much. I got so lost in writing I didn't want to stop! And that's the plan.❤ Happy New Year's my friend 🥂