Musical motivation

Can I be honest with you guys? Between a bunch of to-dos at work, the craziness of the holidays, and my lame attempts to get back into good reading/writing habits, I have been at a complete loss for what to blog. I don’t want to disappear, but I also don’t want to post just for the sake of posting. There’s enough on the web with or without my couple hundred words, you know?

So if it seems a little quieter around here (particularly on Fridays, which a few people already noticed…) that’s why.

Today I do have something to share, though.

Music.

Specifically, songs that get me amped up and dreaming about my future. Songs that fan the flames of my desire and motivation. Songs that I look forward to blasting from my car stereo a few years from now, when I’m driving to the premiere of my book’s film adaptation, my name is on bestseller lists around the world, and fans are clamoring for the next title.

(Hey, I said these songs made me dream, all right?)

Now, you might laugh, because some of these songs are majorly cheesy, and some of these songs are wannabe ghetto, but I already know that I have questionable taste in music. Just go with it.

In no particular order:

Note: I don’t necessarily listen to these songs while I’m writing. They just get me emotionally pumped up. Becoming an author (like most dreams/aspirations) is a marathon, not a sprint. This kind of music helps set the rhythm, reminds my feet to keep going one after the other at a steady pace, so that someday I will cross the finish line.

Do you have “pump me up” songs? Or something else besides music that gets you jazzed up for the long haul?


13 responses to “Musical motivation”

  1. T.S. Bazelli Avatar

    Yes, equally as cheesy. I’m actually too embarrassed to post it, but I’m so glad I’m not the only one that does this! hehe

  2. Les Avatar

    Oh I have a ton haha. Mostly too shameful to admit though…

  3. Sonja Avatar

    I don’t really have music that pumps me up for “the dream.” But I do use music to help me understand my main character (or sometimes storyline). This is actually quite important to me. The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” is Oz’s theme song for OTC, and I often thought back to that song when writing OTC. Having a song to return to helps remind me how I originally envisioned the character, and it keeps me there. As I’ve been planning out my next book, one of the critical things I’ve done is listened to music that has themes I’m interested in for my main character. It wasn’t until I found the right “theme song” that I felt like I had a handle on the next installment.

  4. Shari Avatar

    I love this. We all need inspiration, right? Sometimes there’s nothing like music to make us dream those big dreams. I have a bunch of songs I’d list in that category, but three in particular come to mind:

    – “Breakaway” – Kelly Clarkson
    – “Play On” – Carrie Underwood
    – “Defying Gravity” – Wicked

    :)

  5. Aisha Avatar

    Cool thanks for posting that The Hours song, I had heard it somewhere and kind of liked it but I never heard it again until now!

  6. Mike Chen Avatar

    Oh dear, Miley Cyrus? Somewhere in a parallel universe, my characters in Local Band are shuddering in their San Francisco hipster bar. ;)

  7. Kim Franklin Avatar

    I love that Katy Perry song! I’m singing it in my head right now!

    And I completely feel you on the blogging front. Here’s to hoping that after the holiday season and new year things go back to semi-normal. :)

  8. Sarah Avatar

    I must admit that I am more than partial to a few of these songs, yes. :) Thanks for reminding me!

  9. Joelle Avatar

    My museical tastes vary from day to day. Maybe I’m just musically ADD. lol

  10. Jon Avatar

    Lately I have been listening to a lot of Neko Case, some Vince Guaraldi and the Ronettes when I need to get pumped up. Very weird musical choices, I know.

  11. Sherrie Petersen Avatar

    Two songs do that for me right now: Viva la Vida by Coldplay and What I’ve Done by Linkin Park. I’ve been listening to a LOT of Linkin Park and this other band that no one has ever heard of, Mêlée. Their album Masquerade is incredible. Love it.

  12. Kristan Avatar

    T.S. and Les-
    Awww, lame.

    Sonja-
    Yes, I use music to set character/story moods too. I don’t necessarily have soundtracks, as some writers do, but I often listen to songs that evoke certain emotions in ME, so that I can emulate them in the story. Example: Lots of Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne when I’m writing a contemporary YA story, because that’s what I listened to in high school, so it puts me back in that frame of mind. Still not exactly what you’re talking about, I know, but more similar. :)

    Shari-
    DEFYING GRAVITY, YES!! I forgot that one, but it’s totally on the list too.

    Aisha-
    Isn’t it awesome?!

    Mike-
    Yeah, I’m definitely not cool enough to hang in Local Band. ;P

    Kim-
    Her whole album is pretty awesome, if you don’t have it already.

    Jon and Sherrie-
    Oo, thanks for the recs!

  13. Latoya Bridges Avatar

    Lately I have been listening to a lot of Neko Case, some Vince Guaraldi and the Ronettes when I need to get pumped up. Very weird musical choices, I know.