Sweet Romance: 君がいるから

If there is a consistent source of inspiration in my creative life it's music. I have more than one book idea that was inspired by a song and I often listen to music while I write, tailoring my playlist to the mood I’m trying to set in the scene. I also drive down the road singing along at the top of my lungs and dancing behind the wheel, but I try not to subject others to that part. karaoke I thought it might be fun to share some of the music that inspires me when I’m working. The first is one of my favorites of all time and a regular go to when I want a sweet romantic feel in a scene. This song isn’t inspiration for a first kiss or night of hot passion. This is two people who mean a great deal to one another discovering their love, reaffirming their love, or perhaps being reunited after a traumatic separation. It even works for non-romantic love, in the case of friends with a deep bond to one another.

This, for me, is one of those rare songs I always play two or three times every time it comes up in my playlist simply because I love it that much. It is in Japanese, however, so I provided a translation below the video.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WHVyzPTyv8&w=560&h=315]

"kimi ga irukara" (Because you’re here)

The rain which began to fall still hasn’t stopped crying Although the coldness was too painful because I didn’t have an umbrella with me… The one who warmed me up, was you

I, who have lost my voice, only sleeps as if I’m dead Although I cried as I became lost amidst the dream I can’t wake up from… The one who found me, was you

It was sad and distressing, if I look back Traces of the dream so transient Here and now, once again,

"arigatou"

Is what I want to convey to you

If you will laugh, I’ll sing If you wish for it, I’ll be by your side If you are doubtful, I’ll say it as many times as it takes Until my voice withers…

Can you hear me? Am I reaching you? Because you’re here, I’m here.

...

Translation from here.

Because I’m always collecting more music, I’d love to hear what your favorite sweet romance songs are?

One New Thing: August 2012 – In the Limelight

Here it is, almost the end of September and I’m just getting to my one new thing for August. There have been books to edit and write (and read), swords to swing, dances to learn, parties to plan, friends to hang out with, and far too little time for all of it. In the face of it all, the blog has been chugging along slower than usual. What I wouldn’t give for a clone (as long as it didn’t lead to twice as many story ideas).

Outside of my work, August was dedicated in many ways to the old new things. The perpetuation of prior adventures, the nurturing of continuing friendships, and the never-ending pursuit of learning.

In spite of the rather overwhelming task of keeping up with life, there was opportunity to do something completely new and slightly out of my comfort zone (which is a good thing to push occasionally).

Michael and I were talked, rather easily I might add, into performing a dance for the Arthur Murray Summer Showcase (Michael being that darling gent theatrically rolling his eyes on my left and our instructor being the lovely enthusiastic lady on my right).

Sadly, I haven’t gotten my hands on a recording of our performance, but it was a Foxtrot routine performed to the song He’s a Tramp by Peggy Lee (we didn't use this version from Lady and the Tramp, but it's one of my personal favorite movies).

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wiNGW97JiE]

I’m not that comfortable in front of a crowd and dancing is still a relatively new activity, so this experience, stepping out in front of all of these people and performing, was a bit nerve-wracking and yet refreshing in an odd way. I like to push my boundaries toward becoming a stronger, more confident person, and this was a great way to do that. I didn’t pass out on the dance floor or die from the pressure of so many eyes looking my way. Awesome!

Now we’ve signed up to do a tango routine at Arthur Murray’s Masquerade ball in October. We’ll be dancing to The Lunatics Have Taken over the Asylum by Collide. Dancing in costume during my favorite month of the year. Oh, yes. This will be fun!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0imdMMIBToQ]

Happy adventuring!

It’s a Kind of Magic

Books truly are a kind of magic. So writing them makes us magicians of a sort. The same magic can be found in many forms of art from the visual arts, like painting and cinema, to music (one of my personal favorites). I am happy today to bring to my blog a fellow writer, Catherine Johnson, who also sees magic all around us. Her blog is a wonderful collection of book reviews, fun stuff, and delightful creativity that I encourage you to visit. Here is Catherine with an enjoyable piece on magic.

Whether you are a writer or a reader, the word magic conjures up all sorts of fun things (pun intended). For some the word magic means a guy in a black cape waving a wand and producing a white rabbit out of his sleeve. For others it may be a guy in a purple cape with stars on waving a wand and turning you into a rabbit. Whatever perception you have, it is likely that you enjoy the image that the word Magic represents.

Read the rest on her blog here. Thanks Catherine

To wrap up, a little song that always comes to mind whenever I talk about magic. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvFyYjUW9JE&feature=related

A Musical Resolution

I was very resolute in my resolve not to make resolutions this year. (Yeah, that was an awful sentence.) Why? Because I never really got the point. Like everyone, I have goals and dreams, and I work at them all the time. I want to get my books published and I work at that every day of the week (sometimes on weekends too). I want to learn Japanese and I work at that every day of the week. I want to get more fit… Yeah, I work at that when I’m not recovering from an injury. I don’t make resolutions about it because, as it turns out, I have a knack for getting hurt. As a side note, I’d like to give that away if anyone is interested. No charge.

If you’re going to do a resolution, I believe it should be something fun. Something you won’t beat yourself up over if you haven’t accomplished it by the end of the year for whatever reason. That never helps. So, after much thought, I came up with a resolution for this year.

Ready?

Here it is.

I resolve to listen to even more music.

I know, that sounds like a silly goal, but let me explain. I love music. Music runs through my head at all hours. Even my dreams have soundtracks. When I write, I often run Pandora because I have stations set up for the many moods I might want. If I need a fight in my story, I turn on my Angry station. If something sad is happening, I turn on my Melancholy station. Not only does this help set the mood, it has introduced me to many great new artists and songs and my music collection keeps growing.

Mufasa
My beloved truck.

Another key instigator for this resolution is my Christmas present. Some very bad people conspired to enable the purchase and installation of a new stereo system in my truck (you know who you are and I love you – you will all be beaten when you least expect it). I love my truck. All I have to do to improve my mood is drive somewhere in my truck and things feel better. With the advent of my new stereo, I am downright giddy by the time I get to my destination (via the longest possible route).

Just for fun, a few off my enormous list of current favorite artists (who are now helping me go deaf in my truck – but with amazing clarity).

I could go on for pages, but I’ll stop here. Tell me, how can a person go wrong with a resolution like that?

I’d love to hear some other takes on New Year’s resolutions. What are some of yours? I’m also always on the market for more good music, so feel free to offer your recommendations.

Happy New Year!