Motivational Music, the Massively Cheesy Edition

So I've been working on a new "About Me" page for my author blog and for a new author website that I've been setting up, all in advance of RoboNomics becoming a featured story on Wattpad. And while I've written out my story, it has taken on a definite...hard-headed tone.

For some reason this made me think of the various Motivational playlists that I've shared with you in the past. And it also put me in mind of the very large blind spot that I intentionally had in sharing those playlists. That is, I didn't want to admit to listening to some of the most ridiculously corny songs when I need a motivational pick-me-up.



Maybe over-the-top songs about obtaining one's goals are required once you've decided to pursue a career in the arts. Reading, training, learning and practicing. Drafting and revising and line editing -- all of this takes time. So much time that it's hard to keep my 'eye on the prize'. And so once in awhile I have to indulge. I have to remind myself why I'm doing this. I need obvious lyrics and bad instrumentation to knock me over the head with my original intention.

This is how I build my own support system. In a world full of trolls and haters, I don't troll or hate back. I just listen to cheese-ball songs! :P

Classy Christmas

Less of a list of inspirational songs to write to this week, and more of a pre-holiday theme. I thought I'd do something a little more festive, since yesterday I had to go out to do Christmas errands. There was no avoiding it any longer. And like every year, by the time I get around it, it seems that the world has been immersed in Christmasland for at least a month. Driving from mall to book store to food store, I had to blast ACDC on the radio so that I could decompress from all the corny holiday jingles that were piped over mall speakers.

But then someone amazing happened. I stepped into the grocery store for a few minutes and they were playing one of the only Christmas songs I can actually tolerate:

Yay! Forget the peppy '50s ditties. That's much more like it. It's-so-cold-I'd-rather-be-sitting-on-a-beach Christmas. But I have to admit, it's not the only song that I don't totally regret being forced to listen to this time of year. I guess I have a few others. Tunes to which I can imagine that everyone celebrating Christmas has the same taste as me: champagne cocktails at the Nutcracker intermission. Total lack of gifts and instead formal affairs and conversations about the modern implications of the cultural appropriation of the Yule Log from Celtic pagan by early European Christians to increase the new religion's appeal. Or something.



Apparently, I have a thing about traditional British Christmas music. And, of course, A Muppet's Christmas Carol. It's the only Christmas movie that matters.

All right, well that's it for me, kids. Have a good holiday! See you in 2014! :)

Retro Motivation

Sometimes, I need a little kick in the bum when it comes to getting the writing on the page. Especially this time of year, when there are lovely and fun distractions such as writing holiday greetings to friends or buying gifts or attending tacky Christmas sweater parties. I personally need motivational soundtracks galore over the next two weeks to remind myself not to throw in the towel early.

And so, I present my Retro Motivation playlist:



Some of the inclusions I've made are obvious. But others need explanation:

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - They All Laughed: Sure, it's about a love affair. But it can easily apply to a work of fiction, art -- any endeavour really. Especially since Ella and Louis reference historical endeavours that were once laughed at.

Irene Cara - What a Feeling, Rocky Theme Song, Survivor - Eye of the Tiger, Chariots of Fire: All mega motivational anthems, retro style!

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5, Avenue Q Original Broadway Cast - What do you Do with a B.A. in English/Sucks to be Me: I guess these are more "I'm not the only one feeling this way" songs. Toiling away, chipping away at the steps, working towards a dream sort of songs.

Eminem - Lose Yourself, Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars - Billionaire: All right, all right. Not so retro. But still motivational. And besides, does anyone remember the last time Eminem was bleached blonde?

Jessie J - Price Tag: Again, not so retro. But also not exactly of the moment, is it? I needed to add this song at the last moment, as an antidote to the previous track. Lately I've been feeling like I don't want to think that I am writing for money's sake. Maybe I want to create art because I have to. That, for me, is motivational in itself.