Starting a new BAD habit

I *may* be crushing a bit on Aaron Paul.

You may know him as Jesse Pinkman on the hit TV series Breaking Bad - which is pretty much the only place I know him from, and really, we've only just met.

Not literally *met*, of course. I mean, figuratively since I've only just discovered the brilliance that is Breaking Bad.

Hubs and I are about three quarters of the way through the first season, and I'm captivated. Perhaps borderline obsessing - and it has only a little to do with Aaron. No, really.

The writing is amazing.

Unlike the majority of TV shows I'm addicted to these days, Breaking Bad isn't a fast-paced, get-your-heart-pumping, sex-infused supernatural jaunt. Though at times somewhat shocking, and perhaps slightly gory, Breaking Bad is more of a slooowww burn - but man, when the pieces all come together, the payoff is worth the investment. And then some.

Breaking Bad is one of six shows sitting next to my DVD player, along with Being Human (season 2), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (all seven seasons - gulp!), Dead Like Me (2 seasons), Lost Girl (season 2), and Mad Men. I'm a little bogged down in TV land these days - but I have a good excuse.

As most of you know, I've just recently signed a rep agreement with the amazing agent Anna Archer of Lucas Talent. Anna reps screenwriters and show runners for the Canadian TV/film market, and I'm thrilled to join her team...

And yes, a little scared.

My whole life, I've wanted to write books - in all genres, for all ages. That's still the main dream, but my writing aspirations have extended to the screen, and though I'm mums-the-word (for now) on what's on the horizon, I admit, I'm going to need to lean on my muse to get me through the next week of writing both for the original dream, and in its now super-enhanced form.

I think Aaron is perfect for the role. How about you?

If you're not watching Breaking Bad, you should check it out. It's smart, thought-provoking TV, with stellar writing, and some excellent acting, particularly the work of Aaron and Bryan Cranston. Already Breaking Bad? What do you think of the show?

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Girl of Nightmares, Kendare Blake

N is for N-Sync (and Justin Timberlake...my muse)

I passed over the Backstreet Boys in the "B" section, and I'm not going to talk about New Kids on the Block ("the right stuff") but I'd be remiss if I didn't give a little boy band love to N'SYNC - especially since their star member, Justin Timberlake, is my muse avatar this week.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way.

N'Sync may not have been the boy band I listened to the most (New Kids on the Block owns that title), but I can appreciate they mark they made on the music scene.

Or rather, the mark Timberlake has made.

A thriving solo career, an emerging actor, and newly engaged to Jessica Biel. Justin is clearly more than just a pretty face.

While many of the boy band babies stood by and watched their careers go stagnant, Justin waved Bye Bye Bye to his band mates and made quite the name for himself. Now that's muse-worthy.

I'll be leaning on Justin this week to guide me through two book launches and a pile of work!

And I leave you now with this appropriate N'Sync song.

Which former "N" band have you waved Bye Bye Bye to?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book in My Bag Today: Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake

H is for Heart Shaped Box (and muse avatar Kurt Cobain)

I've never considered Kurt Cobain for muse avatar before - partially because even at the height of grunge rock mania, Nirvana wasn't a band I listened to a lot. Except one song.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way.


HEART SHAPED BOX didn't just affect me - it haunts me.

Creepy video much?

Of course, the song's been redone by many artists, perhaps most memorably for me by Jordis Unga during her time on Rockstar:INXS. Back then, she looked and sang like this:



She didn't win - but she's vying for America's hearts once again on the new show THE VOICE. She's on team Blake Shelton and looks like this:

Bad ass, right?

Regardless of whose voice is behind the song - sassy Jordis or sexy Kurt - Heart Shaped Box is the song that never goes away for me.

I'd even considered titling one of my books after it...until I read a thriller novel by the same name authored by Joe Hill. (Great book!)

Even though I can't use the title, I still play the song every time I sit down to write that WIP. Most days it's Jordis' version, since I'm rooting for her on The Voice...but this week, it will be Kurt Cobain's vocals that will guide me through a very busy week. 

Your turn. Which "H" song goes straight to your heart?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

B is for Bon Jovi, an inspirational muse

How to tie together Muse Avatar Monday with the A-Z blogging challenge? Easy. Just pick Jon BON JOVI, perhaps the only hairband frontman to have aged with such grace.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. Like I said, expect a lot of 80s cheese from me.

Including Bon Jovi.

Though, a case could be made for anti-cheese. Sure they swirled their hair around and once looked like this:

But hey, a lot of guys wore make up back then. 

Considered the softer of the rockers, Bon Jovi had their biggest success with Slippery When Wet, pumping out hit after hit including Living on a Prayer, Bad Medicine, Wanted Dead or Alive, and You Give Love a Bad Name.

Now these are songs that are still on my iPod. I've only been to two Bon Jovi concerts, not because I wouldn't shell out the cash, but because their concerts sell out in record time! Somehow, these New Jersey rockers have managed to stay relevant by producing new music that appeals to a new crowd, and appeases a loyal fan base - including millions of women everywhere.

Of course, it's not hard to understand why when the lead singer now looks like this:

For all of their inspiration - from their muse-worthy front man to a musical work ethic that continues to rock on - Bon Jovi has definitely made an impact on me. 

This week, I lean on Jon and this song (an oldie but a goodie) for writerly inspiration:

So dish, who's your musical "B" man/woman?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn

The Book in My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

Touched by the muse

It's no secret I love Kiefer Sutherland. I have since Lost Boys where of course he played a vampire. Huh...I guess he was kind of my first paranormal crush.

I followed all eight seasons of 24, and own all of the DVDs. Most nights, I watch an episode while working out on my elliptical.

But it's not ALL about Kiefer. As I have mentioned before, watching 24 gave me great insight into how to write a thriller - the cliffhanger endings, the random "offing" of key characters, the constant building of tension, and the ability to create a "likeable" character even when he/she does some pretty unlikeable things. A lot of people still don't like Jack Bauer...but I did.

And so, I thought it would be difficult for me to transition my love into Kiefer's role on the amazing new show, Touch.


Kiefer plays Martin Bohm, a widower whose 11-year-old mute son is a genius at seeing patterns in numbers. Martin is not Jack, though there is occasional shouting, a take-down or two, and some fast-paced action. But there's also so much more - including intricate storylines, compelling characters, and fabulous acting. When all of the story threads come together - usually in the last five minutes of the show - it's almost magical.

I can't say enough great stuff about this show. And I am so glad Kiefer is back on prime time, making my Thursday nights even better.

It's almost the end of March and April is going to be smoking busy. So I'm hoping to tag Kiefer for one more role this week - muse avatar. Sure, I know he's busy saving the world on the small screen, but let's look at the bigger picture here: I have been a faithful, loyal fan since Lost Boys. I even suffered through Bright Lights, Big City.  I applauded Flatliners, gushed about Mirror, Mirror (even though it wasn't awesome), and I STILL watch 24. When the movie finally comes out in 2013, I WILL have opening night tickets.

So what do you, say, Kiefer? Should I sign you up as muse?

- Dawn

PS - This Sunday, I'll be joining more than 1,000 bloggers on the A-Z Blogging challenge, where we'll be blogging every day except Sundays throughout April. On this blog, I've teamed up with Jessica Bell to chat about music that has inspired us over the years - trust me, it will be an interesting battle of the bands. I'm willing to bet we don't have a single blog post in common. The "other me" is blogging about great YA books, and on the Most-Wanted Monsters blog, Judith and I will be waxing poetic about 26 creepy monsters. You don't want to miss out - those posts could save your life.