Good evening!
So the production manager at my job gave me a task this month that is one part awesome, and two parts expected. See, every other office gig I've ever had has started with these words:
First, you need to fix our filing system.
It started right after I was first married and I took a temp job at a medical equipment company. My predicessor, a girl they called, "The pizza girl" for a number of reasons...none of them appropriate for this forum...filed EVERYTHING under "D" for Doctor.
Which means we had 16 drawers for the letter D and ten for the rest of the alphabet.
That job took me almost two years to completely fix.
This time around, twenty years later, I was sure I'd avoided the dreaded task because I've been here for more than 6 months and the closest I've come to the filing cabinets has been on Wednesdays, for about six minutes.
And then 2012 rolled around and with it a need for more file cabinets...
Unless...
Let's just say I'm spending many of my days in the almost unheated shop converting alphabetical files to numerical files for the past 7 years. It's going to take me months. And I love it mostly because I'm good at it and it keeps me away from the nit wit I work with in the office. (She of the Elsie W fame.)
I told you that so I can tell you this: While I'm sorting and filing and assembling in the shop, I get to wear my beloved iPod. And sometimes, I get to sing.
I've been so immersed in working on the Elsie W book(s) that I've sort of put "Fresh Ice" on the shelf. Until this morning, when, while sorting through the year 2007, Night Ranger's "Goodbye" came on.
I had to stop what I was doing.
I was suddenly transported to a cavernous badly lit club in Nashville, where a tall, devastatingly handsome former NHL bad boy was onstage singing this touching song. I...well, I of course was the recently widowed former Olympic figure skater in the balcony, falling in love without even knowing his name.
Yep...I just remembered, I write fiction! I write romantic fiction! I fall in love with my leading men all the time!
You all know that I'm one of those writers who writes as the spirit moves. Well, right now I'm furious with Elsie W, and I see no humor in her. However, I'm in love with Quinn Murray again, so this weekend I'll be traveling back to Nashville, the Waffle House, and the Wild Horse Saloon.
I can't wait.
It's sometimes that easy for writers. Even if you haven't been writing for whatever reason, a song will come on and suddenly you need to get to the nearest computer, the nearest notebook, the nearest quiet spot and write. It's how I wrote "Lies in Chance." I would set it aside for years at a time because people told me it simply wasn't worth any more of my time. And then I'd hear that wonderful Kansas song, "Hold On" and I'd have to go back to Rock Harbor.
Maybe I'm insane. But I don't think so. At least not about this.
NOW AVAILABLE!
A HERO'S SPARK: the final book in the Wicked Women series!
Showing posts with label inspiration from music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration from music. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, May 20, 2011
Why do we do it?
Good morning!
So I'm between Rick Springfield concerts at the moment...went to one Wednesday and I have one tomorrow, so I'm in a hovering state of "WHOO HOO!" right now.
My mother doesn't understand why I go to Rick concerts every year. She praises my husband for his patience with me and my "weird" activity. Thing is, I think she's the one who's "weird" because having an admiration, a crush, on a celebrity is something that is not just the topic of my first novel Dream in Color but is something I believe every human holds on to for life.
Why. Why do we do it? Why do we hold an affection for a musician we have never met and do not know on a personal level? Why do we fork over piles of money for t-shirts, Cd's, concert tickets, memorabilia?
Why do we stand in line in the scant hope we can have a moment with the musician we love?
It might be a complex question for some people, but for me it's very easy. Let me see if I can paint a picture for you.
When I'm at a concert, I'm not a mom, I'm not an employee, and I'm not a wife. The years and the pounds and the aches and pains fade away as the curtain rises and the first notes of the music stream from the stage right into my heart. In that moment, in that span of time I'm sixteen again. I work so I can buy things I like, not to pay the light bill. I am thin and young and free. I can dance and there's no one to be embarrassed. I can sing at the top of my lungs and there's no one there to tell me to be quiet. Every lyric of every song brings to mind a picture from my life, good and bad, and in the middle of a swirling mass of music and screaming fans, I can celebrate where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.
It's a rare thing, I think, for a deep connection like this to happen. We all have that one musician that makes us feel that way, but I believe we all only have one, maybe two at best. This isn't about just enjoying the music. That I could do very little effort and cost in the privacy of my own home. But we go to the concerts because we need to see the musician's connection to the song. We need to know that the poetry that that musician wrote still means something to him/her, and that in the performance of that song, we bridge the gap between musician and fan.
Taking this one step further, I believe it's why many of us write. I don't think there's an author out there who isn't inspired by some kind of music. You all know I create soundtracks for every book I write. We write stories, in part, because something in a song nags at us until we do. Maybe a song paints very clear picture for us. For me, I can't listen to anything by Matchbox 20 without thinking about the hero of my upcoming "Lies in Chance" because something in Rob Thomas' voice paints such a clear picture of my Bryan that even if I'm in the grocery store...if "3 AM" comes over the muzak, I have to stop what I'm doing and think about that character.
So my friends, I write because I'm inspired to by the music I love. And I go to Rick Springfield concerts because that's the music that inspires me the most. And it's the music that transforms me into a better version of me. Oh, and he's super hot to watch when he's performing live! (That doesn't hurt, right?)
And now...go forth and WRITE!
So I'm between Rick Springfield concerts at the moment...went to one Wednesday and I have one tomorrow, so I'm in a hovering state of "WHOO HOO!" right now.
My mother doesn't understand why I go to Rick concerts every year. She praises my husband for his patience with me and my "weird" activity. Thing is, I think she's the one who's "weird" because having an admiration, a crush, on a celebrity is something that is not just the topic of my first novel Dream in Color but is something I believe every human holds on to for life.
Why. Why do we do it? Why do we hold an affection for a musician we have never met and do not know on a personal level? Why do we fork over piles of money for t-shirts, Cd's, concert tickets, memorabilia?
Why do we stand in line in the scant hope we can have a moment with the musician we love?
It might be a complex question for some people, but for me it's very easy. Let me see if I can paint a picture for you.
When I'm at a concert, I'm not a mom, I'm not an employee, and I'm not a wife. The years and the pounds and the aches and pains fade away as the curtain rises and the first notes of the music stream from the stage right into my heart. In that moment, in that span of time I'm sixteen again. I work so I can buy things I like, not to pay the light bill. I am thin and young and free. I can dance and there's no one to be embarrassed. I can sing at the top of my lungs and there's no one there to tell me to be quiet. Every lyric of every song brings to mind a picture from my life, good and bad, and in the middle of a swirling mass of music and screaming fans, I can celebrate where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.
It's a rare thing, I think, for a deep connection like this to happen. We all have that one musician that makes us feel that way, but I believe we all only have one, maybe two at best. This isn't about just enjoying the music. That I could do very little effort and cost in the privacy of my own home. But we go to the concerts because we need to see the musician's connection to the song. We need to know that the poetry that that musician wrote still means something to him/her, and that in the performance of that song, we bridge the gap between musician and fan.
Taking this one step further, I believe it's why many of us write. I don't think there's an author out there who isn't inspired by some kind of music. You all know I create soundtracks for every book I write. We write stories, in part, because something in a song nags at us until we do. Maybe a song paints very clear picture for us. For me, I can't listen to anything by Matchbox 20 without thinking about the hero of my upcoming "Lies in Chance" because something in Rob Thomas' voice paints such a clear picture of my Bryan that even if I'm in the grocery store...if "3 AM" comes over the muzak, I have to stop what I'm doing and think about that character.
So my friends, I write because I'm inspired to by the music I love. And I go to Rick Springfield concerts because that's the music that inspires me the most. And it's the music that transforms me into a better version of me. Oh, and he's super hot to watch when he's performing live! (That doesn't hurt, right?)
And now...go forth and WRITE!
Monday, April 5, 2010
A new calendar is the perfect touch for any office decor!
Good Monday morning!
I'm off work today and tomorrow, taking rare advantage of the fact that New Girl is capable enough to run things without me, and Bossman is out of the state for a week, so there's not a thing he can do about it!
I don't know about you, but Easter has, in my little family, become a time of giving small, and sometimes silly gifts. It started several years ago when the Girl wanted a new pair of fancy shoes for Easter Sunday. Now, we fill the kids' baskets (Or wal mart bags, since most of our baskets have been broken or "borrowed" by my brother's kids over the last few years) with movies, books, shirts, some smallish thing that the kids aren't expecting, or are expecting and have, in fact, pointed out.
Our Easter traditions are fairly non traditional, since we do not have the Easter Bunny, but the Naughty Easter Rodent who hides the colored eggs we make for the Tips and Butts Tournament. As an apology for hiding said eggs, the Naughty Easter Rodent also hides baskets of gifts. The NER got a little lazy this year and 'hid' said baskets outside bedroom doors, since both kids had to be up and dressed before dawn and then we were busy busy all day.
Anyway, the NER was good to me this year! I got the NEW Rick Springfield 2010/2011 calendar! Now, one would think that this is behind the times, since the year started three months ago. Not so. The Rick Calendar runs from March to March...AWESOME as and Easter gift, right?
And just in time, this new calendar replaces my old one which ran out the end of March. My office at work will be BEAUTIFUL!
Of course, a new round of Rick pics will bring a new round of questions from New Girl, such as, "Who is this Rick Springfield you love so much?" or, "Oh yeah, my dad used to like that music."
How young is she?
If your office is looking a bit drab, I highly recommend investing in a new calendar. Whatever your passion. Believe me, there's a calendar out there for everyone! Perk up your office, inspire yourself, or just escape from the hum drum of work life with a good calendar!
As for me, when I get back to work on Wednesday, I'm hanging the new one in a place of honor and the old one I'll separate and pretty much wallpaper the place with Rick pics!
That should make the work day go by faster!
I'm off work today and tomorrow, taking rare advantage of the fact that New Girl is capable enough to run things without me, and Bossman is out of the state for a week, so there's not a thing he can do about it!
I don't know about you, but Easter has, in my little family, become a time of giving small, and sometimes silly gifts. It started several years ago when the Girl wanted a new pair of fancy shoes for Easter Sunday. Now, we fill the kids' baskets (Or wal mart bags, since most of our baskets have been broken or "borrowed" by my brother's kids over the last few years) with movies, books, shirts, some smallish thing that the kids aren't expecting, or are expecting and have, in fact, pointed out.
Our Easter traditions are fairly non traditional, since we do not have the Easter Bunny, but the Naughty Easter Rodent who hides the colored eggs we make for the Tips and Butts Tournament. As an apology for hiding said eggs, the Naughty Easter Rodent also hides baskets of gifts. The NER got a little lazy this year and 'hid' said baskets outside bedroom doors, since both kids had to be up and dressed before dawn and then we were busy busy all day.
Anyway, the NER was good to me this year! I got the NEW Rick Springfield 2010/2011 calendar! Now, one would think that this is behind the times, since the year started three months ago. Not so. The Rick Calendar runs from March to March...AWESOME as and Easter gift, right?
And just in time, this new calendar replaces my old one which ran out the end of March. My office at work will be BEAUTIFUL!
Of course, a new round of Rick pics will bring a new round of questions from New Girl, such as, "Who is this Rick Springfield you love so much?" or, "Oh yeah, my dad used to like that music."
How young is she?
If your office is looking a bit drab, I highly recommend investing in a new calendar. Whatever your passion. Believe me, there's a calendar out there for everyone! Perk up your office, inspire yourself, or just escape from the hum drum of work life with a good calendar!
As for me, when I get back to work on Wednesday, I'm hanging the new one in a place of honor and the old one I'll separate and pretty much wallpaper the place with Rick pics!
That should make the work day go by faster!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FREE BEER! okay, now that I have your attention...
Good afternoon!
Some of you follow my friend and extremely talented writer Elliott Mason. If you don't, you should!
You can catch him here: microcows@blogspot.com
Anyway, Elliott shares my passion for movies, and he has a great little contest involving movie quotes. I adore movie quotes, but since I don't want to copy him (Not that I could, he's brilliant!) I've decided to add a bit of fun here myself.
As a writer I'm inspired by a lot of things, but mostly I'm inspired by music. Think about it: You're driving along, and a song comes on the radio, something you haven't heard in maybe a decade and suddenly you're ten years younger, your life is ten years earlier. Music has that weird and amazing power to send us back in time, to cheer us up, to make us stronger or gentler.
And, in my case anyway, music helps me write books.
I have soundtracks for all my books. Thank heavens for mp3 players! I can write anyplace, just pop my earbuds in and go to the soundtrack. I find that my collection of music, while heavy with Rick Springfield and 80's tracks, is very mixed, almost schizophrenic.
Anyway, now that I've gone around the block to get to the point next door, here's what's new: It's LYRIC LINE THURSDAY!
I'll give you a lyric line from a song, any song, that is currently inspiring my writing. First person to get it right gets major bragging rights (For now...I'm thinking free copies of "Dream in Color" might find their way to the winners once the book is out on 4-2-2010! FREE BOOKS!)
So, my friends, here's your first lyric lines:
Tonight, (tonight) a mist is rolling with the river
Tonight, (tonight) the rain is coming down.
Tonight (tonight) you reach out to the point of decision
one wave that closes on a drowning man.
Oh, and I'm not going to say that googling the lyric is cheating....exactly...lol! But music brainiacs with huge libraries are encouraged to join in the fun!
Rock on my friends!
Some of you follow my friend and extremely talented writer Elliott Mason. If you don't, you should!
You can catch him here: microcows@blogspot.com
Anyway, Elliott shares my passion for movies, and he has a great little contest involving movie quotes. I adore movie quotes, but since I don't want to copy him (Not that I could, he's brilliant!) I've decided to add a bit of fun here myself.
As a writer I'm inspired by a lot of things, but mostly I'm inspired by music. Think about it: You're driving along, and a song comes on the radio, something you haven't heard in maybe a decade and suddenly you're ten years younger, your life is ten years earlier. Music has that weird and amazing power to send us back in time, to cheer us up, to make us stronger or gentler.
And, in my case anyway, music helps me write books.
I have soundtracks for all my books. Thank heavens for mp3 players! I can write anyplace, just pop my earbuds in and go to the soundtrack. I find that my collection of music, while heavy with Rick Springfield and 80's tracks, is very mixed, almost schizophrenic.
Anyway, now that I've gone around the block to get to the point next door, here's what's new: It's LYRIC LINE THURSDAY!
I'll give you a lyric line from a song, any song, that is currently inspiring my writing. First person to get it right gets major bragging rights (For now...I'm thinking free copies of "Dream in Color" might find their way to the winners once the book is out on 4-2-2010! FREE BOOKS!)
So, my friends, here's your first lyric lines:
Tonight, (tonight) a mist is rolling with the river
Tonight, (tonight) the rain is coming down.
Tonight (tonight) you reach out to the point of decision
one wave that closes on a drowning man.
Oh, and I'm not going to say that googling the lyric is cheating....exactly...lol! But music brainiacs with huge libraries are encouraged to join in the fun!
Rock on my friends!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
But will Best Buy carry the soundtrack for my book?
Hello all!
Those of you who have read Stephanie Meyer's brilliant "Twilight" series probably noted something interesting in her acknowledgements: She thanks certain bands for inspirational songs.
Okay, Stephanie might be better known than I am (just a little bit...) but I've been writing with a soundtrack since I was 14. (Which is when I started writing "Shara's Chance/A Chance to Walk.") In fact, the ending to "Dream in Color" was greatly influenced by an obscure Rick Springfield song, "Dream in Colour." I don't want to give away the ending, but let's just say that our friend Ramona was going to have a completely different sort of romance until I sat down and really listened to that song.
Music influences a lot of things and we don't even realize it. Why do you think so much advertising involves music? Hey, Barry Manilow had a great career writing jingles. "You deserve a break today..." "And like a good neighbor..." (I can hear you singing the rest of the jingle...) I think my favorite jingle story of Barry's comes from a Dodge commercial he was asked to score. He says he wrote a massive, heavily orchestrated piece. Dodge didn't like it. Desparate to keep the job, Barry sat down on at a keyboard there in the meeting and pounded out four chords. BAM! A commercial was born.
So maybe you're trying to work out a scene for your story. Nothing seems to work. Relax. Listen to some music. Listen to music you don't normally listen to. Believe it or not, not everything I write is based on Rick Springfield songs. In fact, for "Shara's Chance" the whole plot changed the day I listened to "Hold on" by Kansas. Several scenes wrote themselves based on that song alone. I can't listen to Rob Thomas singing without thinking about Bryan, my hero in "Shara's Chance."
I would love to put out a companion CD with my books. I think that would really enhance the reading experience. Hmmmm, guess I'll have to run that by and agent. Now if only I could find an agent!
Have a groovy one, my friends!
Those of you who have read Stephanie Meyer's brilliant "Twilight" series probably noted something interesting in her acknowledgements: She thanks certain bands for inspirational songs.
Okay, Stephanie might be better known than I am (just a little bit...) but I've been writing with a soundtrack since I was 14. (Which is when I started writing "Shara's Chance/A Chance to Walk.") In fact, the ending to "Dream in Color" was greatly influenced by an obscure Rick Springfield song, "Dream in Colour." I don't want to give away the ending, but let's just say that our friend Ramona was going to have a completely different sort of romance until I sat down and really listened to that song.
Music influences a lot of things and we don't even realize it. Why do you think so much advertising involves music? Hey, Barry Manilow had a great career writing jingles. "You deserve a break today..." "And like a good neighbor..." (I can hear you singing the rest of the jingle...) I think my favorite jingle story of Barry's comes from a Dodge commercial he was asked to score. He says he wrote a massive, heavily orchestrated piece. Dodge didn't like it. Desparate to keep the job, Barry sat down on at a keyboard there in the meeting and pounded out four chords. BAM! A commercial was born.
So maybe you're trying to work out a scene for your story. Nothing seems to work. Relax. Listen to some music. Listen to music you don't normally listen to. Believe it or not, not everything I write is based on Rick Springfield songs. In fact, for "Shara's Chance" the whole plot changed the day I listened to "Hold on" by Kansas. Several scenes wrote themselves based on that song alone. I can't listen to Rob Thomas singing without thinking about Bryan, my hero in "Shara's Chance."
I would love to put out a companion CD with my books. I think that would really enhance the reading experience. Hmmmm, guess I'll have to run that by and agent. Now if only I could find an agent!
Have a groovy one, my friends!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)