Bringing some soul to your Monday with Leon Bridges

Sounds so much like the old Motown stuff, it's hard to believe this is new music. Nice.

Hope you have a great week, all!

Some music to kick off your week: Imagine Dragons

This song came on the radio, and the whole family liked it (which is unusual). So I thought I'd share.

Oh, and don't forget to follow the Code Name 711 blog tour! There are lots of book giveaways; today, the amazing Erik at This Kid Reviews Books gives his review of Linc's second adventure...

 Hope you have an awesome week!

 

What's home for you? (or: 93 Million Miles video)

It's just about that time of year where I get into my trusted little Honda Element (affectionately know as Kermit, as he's green and reliable) and hit the road for book launch related events. This stuff is fun and exciting. Around the South for this tour, there are new and old friends to meet, which is my favorite thing to do.

But it does make me think of home, and what that means. Because I won't be able to see a lot of friends--my cool pals in Colorado, for one, because there's a giant Texas to cross (it's big, y'all...). I'll miss seeing friends in Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle--you get the idea. The cool part about the nomad life and the internetz is how quickly you make friends all over, but it's hard to catch up with people in person. And I haven't even considered my many pals and family (!) across the border and pond.

This video made me think of home, and how you carry it with you, sort of. If I can get all philosophical here on your Monday...

How about you? Is there a home you miss, and/or friends you wish didn't live so far away?


 

It's a Mississippi Monday, so let's listen to some BB King

It's hotter than a Thanksgiving oven here in Mississippi right now, so hot that I don't cook much, and say 'Have mercy' every time I go outside. Watching the floods in Colorado, I know I shouldn't complain, but...

Have mercy.

This kind of weather makes me hum BB King tunes, so here he is. Be cool, all. And keep your socks dry, Colorado...

Because we could all stand to dance in public a little more (Monday Music)

I'm a big Sara Bareilles fan, and somehow missed until a few days ago that she had a new album out... Must be the summer heat or something. The album is great, by the way, I highly recommend it.

Here's the video for Brave. See, I dance in public all the time (much to my kids' horror), so it's nice to be called brave.

Happy Monday, all. Hope you dance a little today!

 

Talking world building, craft, and the awesome banjo of Mumford & Sons

One of the best parts of doing school visits is the Q&A sessions after I'm done doing my presentations. I never know what questions I'm going to get. Sometimes, we talk a lot about our favorite foods (donuts with cream in the middle are the best, we all agree), and sometimes, I get a super-smart question. Middle-graders are sharp as a tack, let me tell you.

Like this question: what do you wish you could write (not what you're writing now)?

I know, it's a biggie. I had to think, but not too long. Because aside from my love for all things crime and mystery, I also have a soft spot for science fiction. I don't really have the skill to do all the world-building involved (I think I'm too impatient...), but I admire authors who do.

A nice side-effect to being a writer is that you start to recognize craft, and those who've worked long to get really good at something. And the sad side-effect is that you realize you can't be good at everything. Like writing scifi. Or like playing the banjo as well as the dude on Mumford and Sons. Drawing. Crocheting. Woodworking. Surfing (with an alpaca, like in that picture). Juggling. Baking souffles. All things I would love to do, but... There's not enough time.

So for now, I'll stick with writing mysteries and thrillers. How about you? What craft would you learn if you had all the time in the world?


Here's a beautiful song to inspire you. A bit long at six minutes, but well worth the listen, I promise.

 

Some Monday musical inspiration

I'm lucky enough to get a program called Guitar Center Sessions on my TV programming--basically, it's an hour-long show featuring a band or artist. They play, and talk about their beginnings, what inspires them, etc. I love this show. For some odd reason, it sparks my creativity as a writer.

 Does music inspire you too? Any favorites?

 Here's OneRepublic being awesome:


 

Some musical inspiration for your Monday: Eric Hutchinson: "Rock & Roll"

I've been listening to Eric Hutchinson a lot while writing, and thought I'd share it with you for some inspiration. In case you could use some.

When I went to look for his music videos on Youtube, I was surprised to find there were very few. Why is this guy not more famous? Odd...

Anyway, happy Monday!

 

Are You Influenced By Other Writers?

I heard this song a few weeks ago, by Gary Clark Jr. It's pretty good, but I instantly recognized several of his influences: Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Hendrix, to name but a few. It's so obvious, I'm sure Mr. Clark is aware.

Which made me think of writers, and my own writing. Am I influenced, like this guy, by others whose craft I admire?

Dunno...

How about you, fellow writers? Have others ever told you that your writing is like someone else's?