The Worst of the 90's

So, the other day Rolling Stone magazine published their list of the top 10 worst songs of the 1990's. Apparently it has been long enough that we can look back with (painful) nostalgia. Given I was a teenager in the 90s, it's personally upsetting to me. So was hearing a Nirvana song on the classic rock station. So wrong.

Anyway, so I was curious and had to click over to the article. The 90s had a lot of cheesy potential. But what was THE worst? Apparently, the readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted and selected "Barbie Girl" by the Danish group, Aqua. I had forgotten that obnoxious song even existed, so part of me wishes I'd never clicked on the article and remembered it. Now its stuck in my head, so I'm going to share the pain with all of you. It was awful, but European Pop music is always a little... different. If you don't know the song, you should at least pull it up on YouTube or click the link to the article where they have it. Its hard to imagine something that bad ever got major radio airplay.

Here's the rest of the list:

1. Aqua, "Barbie Girl"

2. Los Del Rio, "Macarena"

3. Billy Ray Cyrus, "Achy Breaky Heart"

4. Vanilla Ice, "Ice Ice Baby"

5. Chumbawamba, "Tubthumping"

6. Hanson, "MMMBop"

7. Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On"

8. Baha Men, "Who Let The Dogs Out?"

9. Right Said Fred, "I'm Too Sexy"

10. 4 Non Blondes, "What's Up?"


Man, I always thought 90s music was pretty good. I liked the alternative thing. But there was some serious crap going on on the other radio stations. And not just music. There was Right Said Fred and their see-through mesh shirts, Billy Ray's mullet... Line dancing to both bad country and bad latin fusion. I remember doing the Macarena at my friend's graduation party. So embarassing. Especially since I can still do it. But I'll admit it, I had or still have no less than 6 of these songs thanks to the NOW 1-6 CDs (yes 1-6, though I think they're on 39 now) I bought in college.


I don't know that all these songs are awful, though. I think Celine Dion's song got a bad rap because they played it to death. I loved it the first time, but the thousandth time, it got annoying. But any song with that kind of airplay is the same way.


What do you think of the list? Any songs on here you (secretly) love? I'll admit that I love me some cheesy old school hip hop, so yes, I know all the words to Vanilla Ice. And I can spout it at any time, which sends PC into giggle fits until her mascara runs. Any songs they left off that you'd nominate? I think I'd add "All I Wanna Do" by the Spice Girls. I do not want to 'zig-a-zig-ahh' under any circumstances. It sounds painful.

SP


PS. And just for PC - "STOP! Bum rush a speaker that booms. I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom. DEADLY! When I play a dope melody. Anything less than the best is a felony. Love it or leave it, you better game play. Better hit the bullseye the kid don't play. If there was a problem, YO, I'll solve it. Check out the hook while the DJ revolves it! Ice, ice, baby..." :)

The Melody

I've recently started listening to music while I write. It's sort of funny because for years I avoided working with any noise around. If there was movement in the office, I couldn't concentrate. Or if the kids interrupted me in the middle of a scene that was moving well I wasn't happy. You'd think having a song - complete with lyrics - blaring in my ears would have the same effect wouldn't you? At least I did. I was wrong.

I'm not exactly sure why or how it works for me. I just know it does. I think maybe it has something to do with the music blocking out all those other noises that annoy me when I'm in the middle of my creative process. But that's just a guess on my part. And, really, it's sort of counter-intuitive since when these same songs come on the radio I sing them at the top of my lungs. *shrugs* I've decided not to pick at it too much for fear the magic might unravel.

I do have the added bonus of using certain songs to help me get into the 'mood' of a scene. I have a playlist for love scenes, grovel scenes, emotional scenes, actions scenes... It's funny because I find my favorite 'go to' songs change. I think partly because I get tired of listening to the same thing over and over after awhile, but also because each book is unique and I need different inspiration.

If you're a writer, do you listen to music while you write? Does the idea make you cringe? As a reader, would you want to know what songs inspired the story you're reading? Do you have any good music you think I should check out? I'm always interested in expanding my playlist!

My current favorites are:
These Old Wings - Anna Nalick (her new album is awesome!)
Car Crash - Anna Nalick (this song opens with I think I love you like a car crash, dear. Sorta caught my attention)
Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
If I Die Young - The Band Perry (yeah, I know this doesn't sound very upbeat - and it isn't - but I love the message and the melody of it so much)
I Get Off - Halestorm (bet you can't guess what scenes I use this song for...)
Set Fire to the Rain - Adele (I LOVE this song! Just the idea of setting fire to rain pulled me in)

Instigator

Whistling a Different Tune

I've been cranking out the pages over the last several days. 58 pages in 2 days. Don't get too impressed though, I followed those with a 6 page day. Any other time I would have thought that perfectly acceptable, but not after setting a new personal record.

Anyway, part of my marathon writing sessions included updating my iTunes account. My process is funky. Some books I write in the bathtub, some I write at the office and some I pile up in the bed with my headphones and rock music blaring in my ears. Apparently, this book requires music. And I discovered that I was woefully behind on said music selection. I honestly think the last time I hit the buy button was almost a year ago.

So, I'm basically wondering if I've missed out on some really great music since then. I have some personal favorites - Anna Nalick, Theory of a Deadman, Sugarland, Nickleback, Carrie Underwood, Josh Groban, Muse, Evanescence. Yeah, so my taste in music is a little eclectic. I also admit to having Justin Beiber, Hannah Montana and Selena Gomez on my iTunes, but I promise those songs are only there for my girls. Really. I swear.

Do you have a favorite artist? Favorite song? Anyone I should add to my favorites list? If you write to music do you find that you use specific songs to inspire certain emotions? I've got great sensual, angry, loving and sad songs that I go to every time I need some background atmosphere to help me get into the mood of the scene. Or does music while you're trying to write drive you insane?

Instigator

P.S. Allyn is PM's winner from yesterday. Please email her at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com with your name and snail mail address to claim your prize.

Getting to Know You

I am totally stealing this blog post from Leanne Banks over at Riding with the Top Down but it was so good I figure she won't mind since I'm linking back to her.

Y'all know a lot about me, but there's more. And we'd like to get to know you. One random commenter will win a book from my stash. I'm looking forward to reading your answers, and please feel free to elaborate.



1. Are you

A. A dog person

B. A cat person

C. Your home is a no-pet zone

2. Are you a

A. City person

B. Country person

C. Burbs

3. Do you prefer

A. Country music

B. Rock music

C. Classical music

4. Are you a

A. Beach person

B. Mountain person

C. Lake person













5. When given a choice, you would choose to watch the following television shows:

A. Castle

B. American Idol

C. Harry’s Law

D. Glee

E. Just stick a pencil in my eye

6. Your favorite spectator sport is:

A. Football

B. Baseball

C. Basketball

D. Just stick a pencil in my eye

7. Your dream car is

A. An expensive Italian sports car

B. A BMW

C. A Tesla Roadster (electric roadster)

D. A car that runs on cow poo

E. Give me a horse










8. Your favorite non-alcoholic beverage is:

A. Coffee

B. Tea

C. Soda

D. Water

9. The craziest person currently featured in the media is:

A. Moammar Gadhafi

B. Charlie Sheen

C. Lindsay Lohan

D. All of the above

E. Other (name names ~g~)

10. If you could have dinner with one man other than your husband, it would be:

A. Abraham Lincoln

B. Steven Tyler

C. Barack Obama

D. Glenn Beck

E. Your son

F. Other (name names ~g~)

My answers? 1. I like cats but don't have one now. 2.Burbs. I like trees AND close proximity to shopping. 3. I like most types of music with a couple exceptions. 4. Mountains. 5. Castle for sure! And while I didn't think I was going to enjoy the new AI judges, I'm enjoying Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. 6. Baseball. I watched it with my daddy when I was little and still enjoy the game. I really need to support the local farm league team this summer. 7. The car I have -- it gets good mileage and most importantly, it's paid for! 8. Tea. I like it iced and sweetened and with lemon. I also like it hot with sugar and milk. 9. All of the above. I could also name names but I won't. 10. Since I have no husband any more (and it's my game), I could pick my favorite hunk Hugh Jackman, but instead I pick Barack Obama. This isn't any sort of political statement, just that I think it would be fascinating to have dinner with the president. Dinner with my sons is a given -- any time I can arrange it.

Your turn!

P.S. Summer is the winner from Instigator's St. Patrick's Day contest. She got all the answers correct! Please email Instigator to claim your prize.

Guest blogger: Kristi Gold

You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie

Dear Playfriends,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m thrilled to be back at the Playground for a visit! And in case you’re wondering about the title of this blog, I’m not here to discuss Southern sayings, (although my great-grandmother’s name was Alabama Safronia Brown who hailed from—you guessed it--Alabama). I’m going to talk about music, and the aforementioned title, which happens to be a song performed by The Bellamy Brothers, is among my favorites.

First of all, I have very eclectic taste when it comes to my choice in music—from country to classical and quite a bit in between. Secondly, music has been a part of my life since my mother sang to me as a child. I’ve always marveled over songwriters who manage to convey a story complete with emotion using very few words, when it takes me hundreds of pages to do the same, if I’m lucky.

That love of music seeped into my creative endeavors years ago when I began my first book. I would stick a Jon Secada cassette into the home stereo (remember those?) and write away. Later, I progressed to CDs, portable players and eventually to listening on my computer. With the advent of music downloads, my life is now so much easier. In fact, before I begin a new story, I set up a playlist that carries the same title of the book (before the title changes, as it almost always does). Invariably one of those tunes becomes a “signature” song for the book. I wrote a gothic romance for Silhouette Desire called House of Midnight Fantasies with the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack playing in the background. Wicked Game by Chris Isaak pretty much summed up my hero in my most recent release, His Best Mistake. And Love, Look What You’ve Done to Me by Boz Scaggs somehow always ends up in every playlist as inspiration for love scenes. However, if I’m not careful, I accidentally choose some ditty by mistake that can take me right out of the story. Try writing a hero’s pivotal declaration of love during I’ve Got Friends in Low Places. And don’t get me started on the comments I’ve received from my kids because in my enthusiasm I’ve broken into song. Wearing headphones. I can’t carry a tune under normal circumstances.

On the cosmic front, I’ve actually discovered a couple of those signature songs after the fact. Over a dozen years ago, I began a book that I put aside for another project. A few years later, my daughter turned me on to Sarah Mclachlan, at which time I came across her song entitled Full of Grace. The name of my book? Fall From Grace, that I finally finished and sold a decade later. The lyrics hauntingly conveyed the story. Like I said, cosmic. But then again, I feel there is something very magical about music.

In my experience, I’ve met more than a few authors who--like me—use music to inspire. I even have one friend who made me listen to Pachebel’s Canon in D (her story’s signature song) in it’s entirety before we walked into the post office to mail our manuscripts (which were both subsequently rejected although I don’t blame Pachebel). All that said, I’m always interested in learning if any authors out there find music too distracting. Any readers who listen to music while they read? Any particular song remind you of a book or vice versa? This curious, tone-deaf, music-loving author needs to know.

Again, it’s great to be here!

P.S. Kristi's latest book, His Best Mistake, is on the shelf now from Harlequin SuperRomance. You can comment today and be in the drawing for a free copy. You can learn more about Kristi, her backlist and her take on alpha heroes at her website, www.kristigold.com.

A Little Mood Music...

Music is a key fuel for my creative world.

Every time I meet a new character, at some point they lead me to their “theme” song. This soundtrack for their book gives me a glimpse into deeper issues for the character or summarizes their personality. Listening to the music makes it easier to slip into their point of view for writing sessions, quickly and easily.

We’ve also talked about “anthem” songs here on the blog, songs that inspire and encourage us when life is tough or frustrating. I have several of these on my iPod and they also encourage me in my writing. When I’m tired, frustrated, or simply lost in my journey, these songs urge me to stay connected and fervent in pursuit of my dreams.

This was especially important last year and the first part of this year. In the last 3 months I’ve received 3 rejections and had to pull 1 submission because it had been tied up too long with no show of interest from the editor. Quite discouraging.

Then my sister sent me this song, and I have to admit it has quickly become my new favorite. I hope you enjoy it too:

http://www.youtube.com/user/rascalflattsofficial?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/45/-N0yB24M7VM


Stand by Rascall Flats (I had to put the link because I can't figure out how to get this particular YouTube video to embed. Sorry!)

I especially love the video, with the words they use at the end. I'm a word kind of girl and use it a lot outside of writing too, like in decorating and scrapbooking. :) Very inspirational! I already have a character who has claimed this song as her own.

What kind of roll does music play in your life? Does it fuel creativity, influence your moods, or provide hours of entertainment? Do you secretly dance around your house with it up loud or blast out the car when you drive alone? (I’m guilty as charged!) ;)

Angel

P.S. Instigator is blogging today over at the Blaze Author's blog. www.blazeauthors.com. Drop by and see her!

Music and Meaning

We’ve established before that I’m a Nickelback fan, but I have to admit I’m loving one of their most recent songs, If Today Was Your Last Day. Now, the title pretty much says it all. This song opens with a friend giving some great advice: “Each day’s a gift and not a given right.”

I like the idea of living each day with purpose and meaning, but I find the practicality of it hard to grasp. You see, I’m a doer. I get bogged down most days in the minutae of family/home/work life. There are dishes to wash, kids to wash, laundry to… you get the picture. I like the list given in Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying: sky diving, bull riding, speaking sweeter, being a better husband and friend, going fishing, and stopping to watch an eagle overhead. These myriad ways of making life meaningful are simple and easy to grasp.

All last school year, I kept telling myself that each day, when my kids got home from school, we were going to sit down at the table and have a snack together. Talk about their days. Take a breather before the rush of homework, dinner, baths. But it never seemed to happen. Now, they had a snack every day, but I never got around to joining them because there was always something to do.

I find my To Do list often runs me, instead of the other way around. There is always more on there than I can accomplish in a day (or probably 2). And I feel guilty about that. I’ve tried to curb it, and I often can for a day or 2, before the urgency of a dozen tasks once again overruns me. I know, it’s a personality problem. :) At least I recognize my neurosis.

The 1 thing I love about the new school year is that feeling of newness, of resetting the clock and starting something over. I think we need that mid-year just as much as we do January 1st. This year, my world is changing, with both my kids being in elementary school for the first time. In addition to all those lovely writing goals I have, I am also revisiting my daily snack time goal. I really want to do this. I think it will give us a chance to reconnect after being away from each other, and find a touch of centeredness during our hectic days.

Do I wish I’d done this last year? Yes. Do I feel guilty that I didn’t? Yes. Should I let that stop me now? No. I can only live as if TODAY is my last day, not yesterday.

So aside from the nebulous ideals of forgiving enemies, embracing life, etc., what practical way would you like to enhance your life the rest of this year? What 1 simple thing would you embrace to give meaning to your life, in light of each day being a gift?

Angel

Admit It, You Listen To Them...

A couple weeks ago, Angel and I drove to Georgia to see Nickelback in concert. Angel blogged about our enlightening (and damp) experience. We stayed with the ever hospitible Queen Jen and made a pitstop at the Marietta Diner for a slice of baklava cheesecake the size of our heads. (YUM)

Despite everything, we had fun. Its always an adventure when we go somewhere (although I was hoping that without PC and Instigator to stir up trouble, we'd have a low key weekend. So much for that.) Everything aside, it was a good concert. I like Nickelback, although they seem to get a bad rap. I think Chad Kroeger actually got voted as the ugliest guy in rock. Personally, I think there are far worse - think KISS sans makeup or Quiet Riot. That Angus guy from AC/DC. The well-pickled Keith Richards. Scary. He's no Jon Bon Jovi and I still much prefer Daniel the drummer, but I'm pretty sure his rough voice could charm the panties off most women. Then again, I have a musician thing, so who knows. Maybe I'm biased.

Anyway, people are always hating on them, yet their albums fly off shelves. I bet they laugh all the way to the bank. It might be unpopular, but I like their stuff. I like Dark Horse and All the Right Reasons. I tend to enjoy their darker, raw songs over the more radio friendly stuff. It captures this sort of vibe that intrigues me.

Compared to the other things in my playlist, there are far more embarassing music gems in my closet than Nickelback. As much grief as I give my mother for her Osmond fetish, I dare say there are a few boy bands and maybe even a Spice Girl or two hiding away in my collection.

In the famous words of Travis the skateboarding stoner guy from Clueless... "Like, the way I feel about the Rolling Stones is the way my kids are gonna feel about Nine Inch Nails, so I should probably stop tormenting my mom so much, huh?" A random thought from a random character, but it fits here.

Do you have any music or groups that you listen to in private, but wouldn't want the world to know about? Boy Bands? Hair Bands, perhaps? Share! This is a safe, supportive place where we understand the need to sing the Carpenters into your hairbrush every now and then. :)

SP

PS. Speaking of hair bands - don't forget about our Big Hair event on June 16th! Email photos of yourself with some big, bad hair to problemchild@writingplayground.com to play along! Its going to be a ton of fun.

The Bucket List

I don't have a Bucket List, per se, but I have always kept a goal sheet of things I would like the chance to do in my lifetime. I started it in college and have added and checked off items as I go. So far, I've been able to mark off things like swimming with a dolphin, seeing a musical on Broadway, touring a Scottish castle, getting Lasik vision correction, and hosting a murder party. There are quite a few items still left including getting my SCUBA certification, getting published, touring the White House, seeing the Sistine Chapel and ice skating in Rockafeller Center.

Then there are a couple of items that just stay on the list. Things I just want to do more of all the time. One of those items is to see more concerts. There's just something about seeing a live performance, feeling the energy of the crowd... its nothing like watching it on TV or listening to the CD. There is a short list of people I'd like to see in concert. These aren't just casual whims - these are groups I've followed for years. Worshipped. Adored. Must sees. The list includes R.E.M., Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, Bryan Adams, Metallica, and Simon & Garfunkel.

I've had the good fortune to be able to cross Duran Duran (although when I saw them, John Taylor was not a member, so I may need to see them again) and Bon Jovi off the list. I missed the boat on Simon & Garfunkel when they toured about 5 or 6 years ago. Tickets were ungodly expensive - and rightfully so. Hell will probably freeze over before I get the chance to see them.

That leaves R.E.M., Aerosmith, Bryan Adams and Metallica. R.E.M. was in Atlanta last year on Little Sister's birthday. I missed her birthday the year before to go to Scotland, so my guilt got the best of me. I went to Chuck E. Cheese instead. I'll have to watch for them to tour again soon. Aerosmith isn't touring right now. Metallica isn't coming anywhere close by this year and I refused to camp three days without showering to see them at Bonnaroo, even though its an hour from my house.

Ahh...but that leaves Bryan. My wonderful Bryan who hardly ever tours in the US. I fell in love with him in 1987 (yeah, I was 8) back when he did tour here, but by the time I was old enough, he'd abandoned me for the UK. Oh, he'd do the occasional Madison Square Gardens concert, but a 17 yr old girl in Vegas couldn't get there. Years I've waited! More recently he's started touring more, but still never anywhere near me. This last summer, he was in Memphis and I was tempted, but the schedule didn't work out. (Why did every act I wanted to see tour last summer after I'd already coughed up the change to see Bon Jovi?)

Then on Christmas Day, DB gave me a gift. Well, actually, he flung a page of the newspaper at me across my mom's living room while I napped on the floor and said "here." (That's my baby.) On the page was information about a Bryan Adams concert in Atlanta and Nashville. Jackpot!

After much whining and complaining and coercing, I got tickets and friends to go with me! Tonight, at 8PM EST, I will be ten rows back from the stage watching Bryan Adams play his acoustic guitar and sing to me. Yes, me. And only me, by damn. One more item checked off the list!

Do you have a list of things you want to do in your lifetime? Care to share a few choice items? Any concerts or performances you just have to see before you (or they) get too old to enjoy it?

SP

Playlists

I've been spending more time on Facebook and using chat programs than I should be. That, however, is not what I'm here to talk about today. I'm talking about playlists. (For the uninitiated - a playlist is a set of songs, usually on your mp3 player. Sort of a digital mixed tape for our ladies of the 80s.) Seems that lots of the new chat programs now will show what song you're playing while you chat with people. Its kind of interesting to see what people are listening to.

Recently, I also played a song game on Facebook where you were supposed to set your iPod to random and type out the first lines of the first 20 songs that randomly come up. Then people are supposed to guess what song it is. It was pretty fun. Couple songs went without answers, which just goes to show I don't hang out with a Dr. Dre kind of crowd. :)

My playlist of the moment would have to include (in no particular order):

1. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

2. Losing My Religion by REM

3. Wakin Up in Vegas by Katy Perry

4. Stronger by Kayne West

5. Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy

6. Baby Got Back by Sir Mix a Lot

7. Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode

8. Brand New Lover by Dead or Alive

9. Full Moon by The Black Ghosts

10. Feel Good, Inc by The Gorillaz


Kinda schizophrenic list, I have to say. So... what's on your playlist at the moment? Say, top 5 songs? Even you don't have an iPod, just share your favorite five songs of the moment?

SP

Guest Blogger: Anna Campbell

The Playfriends are very excited today to welcome historical author Anna Campbell. She writes deliciously sexy and innovative historical romances that won her 2 RITA nominations this year. We’ll also be seeing her in School during January, where we’re posting an interview with her fabulous insight! Please give Anna a proper welcome.



Hi Writing Playgrounders! Thanks so much for asking me to visit today and talk about my latest release TEMPT THE DEVIL. You are obviously the cool girls in the classroom and I’m flattered you’ve asked me to hang out with you. Unless I have to go through some weird and painful initiation ceremony? Eeeek!




I thought today I’d talk about inspiration!

Was that a groan I heard from the back row?

No, I mean GOOD inspiration! The sort we all have fun with. Bear with me!

I don’t know if you’ve ever done one of those workshops which analyzes what kind of writer you are. As far as I know, there are three kinds. Visual – you see the characters first, you’re very aware of what each scene looks like. Auditory – you hear your characters and once you’ve got their voices right, you’re set to go. Kinesthetic – you picture your characters in action, they’re doing stuff and everything else flows from there.

I’m primarily an auditory writer. Characters start talking in my head and the story flows from there. And when I tell people that, they always look at me like I’m slightly odd. Well, maybe more than slightly. But I, like most people, have a strong secondary sense and mine is visual. I fairly quickly work out what these characters look like.

Often they look like REAL people. Well, actors and musicians and such.

I have friends who then go and cut out pictures of the people involved (I’m far from the only person who bases characters’ appearances on actual people) and stick them up on their computer. I don’t go so far. I just need that first impression and frankly, by the time I finish the book, each character has become so much an individual, that immediate impression of what they look like doesn’t matter so much. My characters look like themselves by the end. But that originating spark really helps me get a fix on a character.

With CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, Kylemore looked like Daniel Day-Lewis, or he did until I was doing my final rewrites and I saw Richard Armitage. My good friend Christine Wells (who writes fantastic historical romance if you haven’t read her yet) told me she’d watched North and South and the leading man was Kylemore come to life. I scoffed, resisted, then eventually succumbed by checking out this guy. Wow! He WAS Kylemore come to life. Dark, intense good looks, deep-set dark blue eyes, that commanding blade of a nose, that long, lean body. Verity always looked like Olivia Hussey in Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. I wanted someone with that slightly Madonna quality – in spite of Verity’s profession!

With TEMPT THE DEVIL, my new Regency noir from Avon which is a January 2009 release, my hero and heroine were really strong in my mind right from the start, including what they looked like. This really is a blessing for a writer!



The Earl of Erith is an unrepentant rake in his late 30s. I wanted someone dark and louche and dangerous with a lazy, self-confident sexuality. I immediately thought of Bryan Ferry in the early 80s – around the Let’s Stick Together stage. For anyone who’s too young to remember, here’s a youtube link:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=bZTsW8WKy5c

And here he is as lead singer with Roxy Music. I love this song and I think it’s a gorgeous video in that overblown, romantic 1980s style:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJdbpzfJMs

Doesn’t this guy look like your perfect Regency bad boy? The bad boy who’s done everything and seen everything and thinks life holds no more surprises. Well, my dear earl, have I got news for you!

Olivia Raines is equally decadent and jaded. She’s in her early 30s and the most sought-after courtesan in London. She despises her clients and her life but can’t quite bring herself to break away from all the glitter and glamour. When she agrees to become the Earl of Erith’s mistress, she expects just another meaningless affair. As you’ll probably guess, she has a few surprises ahead of her too!

I didn’t want a woman who was conventionally beautiful. But I wanted a woman so striking and so redolent of sensuality that she stops men in their tracks. Someone strong and smart and witty but with a hint of depth behind the spectacular facade. I immediately thought of a young Lauren Bacall.



So do you have real-life prototypes for your characters? Do you find yourself casting actors to play the hero and heroine in romance novels you read? If you chose people to play your favorite characters, who would you pick? My favorite answer wins a signed copy of my latest release TEMPT THE DEVIL!



You know the drill.... comment to enter the contest to win a copy of Tempt the Devil. And check out Anna on her website at www.annacampbell.com .

Angel

So Close

NaNoWriMo ends Sunday and I'm so close I can taste it. And if it kills me, I will hit fifty thousand words. The book still won't be finished, which makes me laugh when I remember how difficult it used to be for me to write five thousand words for a confession.

I listen to Pandora radio online when I write and usually have only instrumental music, but for some reason I ended up with a channel that has Disney songs. So I'm bopping along to "Under the Sea" and something from "Beauty and the Beast" and then the most beautiful song began playing. The tune itself was lyrical but then I listened to the words and was almost in tears.

It's "So Close" from the movie "Enchanted" (which is enchanting if you haven't already seen it). The "so close" theme is so perfect for my hero and heroine. They've been dancing around their feelings for so long and I even have a scene with them at a charity gala with dancing and magic and a kiss that made the hero forget they were in public. And then someone comments and the magic is gone. As I heard the lyrics to "So Close" I was whispering "This is it!" When I edit that scene, this song is going to be on repeat so I can stay in the right mood.

Here is the clip from the movie. Be sure to listen to the lyrics too.



Do you believe in magic? And for those of you who write, has music ever really inspired you?

And because I already had another blog written before I heard this song, be sure to read the next post below cause I think you'll enjoy it. LOTS!

P.S. I'm at 41883 words -- 83.77% of the way to the finish line. I only have to write 8127 more words to finish.