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

M is for Motley Crue...and maybe some MJ

Maybe it it's because my Dad played the drums that 80s hair band drummers fascinated me more than the guitarists or lead singers. Yes, there was Rikki Rockett...but there was also MOTLEY CRUE's Tommy Lee. 

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.

I'll be blunt: I loved Motley Crue.

But when I (mostly) grew out of my 80s hair bands phase, I kind of forgot about the band - well, except Tommy Lee, because while Vince Neil and the crew kind of faded into the backdrop, Tommy's wild antics continued. He even married Pamela Anderson. Crazy.

Every once in a while though, my Motley Crue obsession rears its 80s head. Like when my friend, Sue and I went to Las Vegas last year and on my list of Top 10 things to see was Vince Neil's tattoo parlor. I tried to convince myself it was only to buy a T-shirt for my highly-inked husband, but I was pretty bummed when the cashier told me I'd "just missed" seeing Neil by one day. (Though I hear he hasn't aged as well as, say, Jon Bon Jovi...)

Motley Crue have a number of awesome hard rock songs, including classics like Smoking in the Boys Room and Dr. Feelgood. But the song that brings out the most emotion in me is You're All I Need. Warning: the lyrics and the video are kind of intense.

Sad, no?

Also sad was the loss of Michael Jackson, another "M" musician fave. Weird publicity antics aside, Michael was a musical genius. Beat It was the first song I played on my first-ever tape deck. Yeah, Mike and I go way back.

Which "M" musician works for you - Michael, Motley...or would you prefer to sit on the eclectic fence with me?

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

L is for Linkin Park

When LINKIN PARK's debut album launched, I bought three copies. No, not because I lost them or scratched them...but because I wanted to make sure I was never without one.

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. My Linkin Park binge lasted about six months.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you what it is about the band that had such an impact on me, only that back when "downloading" music on Napster was a phase, I tried getting this entire album - until I realized downloading anything on dial-up wasn't going to get me instant gratification.

I still enjoy Linkin Park, but I generally forget to listen to them until I hear a song on the radio and am reminded of their awesomeness. This is one of my favorite tracks:

And if there was any question of their talent, check out what the boys did with this Adele song. Incredible.

How about you? Is Linkin Park in your favorite band hit list? Or which "L" group makes the grade instead?

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

K is for KISS

At the top of my writerly Bucket List is this: To work on something - anything - with the marketing genius that is Gene Simmons. 

No, really.

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. KISS is my perfect "K" choice.

For starters, Gene Simmons is a true marketing guru. From his conception of the band that became a multi-billion dollar business (yes, business), to his individual branding as a rock God, Gene has his fingers in every media pie. He's the star of his own TV show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, he owns his own record company (and supports Canadian talent!), he's launched a few graphic novels, etc. and etc., and yet remains one of the most down-to-earth people in the biz.

Yes, I've met him. He is that awesome.

KISS began as a seed of an idea...and morphed into one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Sure, they're commercial, and in the beginning, they relied on a number of gimmicks to brand themselves - but it worked. Not only has KISS produced some of the most memorable rock anthems, their white and black face make-up, tall boots, and Gene's tongue are world-renowned.

With or without his trademark costume, Gene Simmons is my publicity idol. Over the years, I've tossed around a couple of ideas I'd like to pitch to him, including...uh, never mind. It's nothing. *cough*

I could list a number of KISS songs that have inspired me, but I'll leave you with I Love It Loud, which sounds best when played really... loud. 

Sidenote: Last year, my friend Sue and I went to Las Vegas. One of the highlights of that amazing whirlwind trip was a stroll along Freemont Street, where a KISS "concert" played in the light show overhead. Absolutely amazing!

So...does KISS float your boat? 

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

J is for Jessica Bell

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. I guarantee she didn't see this one coming.

But how could I not include her in a list of musicians who have inspired me?

JESSICA BELL and I "met" through the blogosphere just over a year ago - but it's as though I've known her my whole life. Hardly a day goes by that we don't communicate; text, email, skype, google chat. And when she came to Canada (in a blinding snow storm) so we could meet face-to-face in late February, it was natural. And awesome. 

Many of you know Jessica through the blogosphere. You've read her books, String Bridge and Twisted Velvet Chains, or listened to her music. Maybe you know her as the co-creator and co-editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal. Or perhaps you're hoping to attend the writing retreat she's planning in Greece this August.

I know her for all that - and so much more. 

Every day, I am inspired by her. Not only by her literary brilliance, but by her heart, her absolute selflessness, and her ability to smile even in the face of adversity. I love this woman ferociously.

In case you've not already seen it, check out the trailer for her book String Bridge -that's Jessica's brilliant voice in he background.

Don't forget to check out her blog, where she's GIVING AWAY free downloads to some of her older, yet no less brilliant, music. Seriously, this girl is so talented...it's kind of sickening, actually.

Your turn. Who's your sentimental "J"?

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

I is for I Remember You

Back in high school, I gave my heart to a man who would 25 years later become my husband. Such is the power of Facebook.

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. I warned you I'd be digging up a lot of 80s hair bands...

And few had longer locks than Skid Row's front man Sebastian Bach.

On my left hand, I have a two-inch scar from when I hopped a barbed wire fence at an Aerosmith/Skid Row concert with the hope of meeting the band. Instead of going to the doctor after slicing my palm open, I went backstage - where Sebastian himself poured half a bottle of whiskey on the wound to "sterilize" the cut. The scar is almost better than an autograph.

I wasn't a groupie...at least not in that sense. But I was desperate to meet the band. Skid Row's power ballad, I REMEMBER YOU was the song my boyfriend, Jeff had dedicated to me in high school. Even though we weren't together anymore, I couldn't quite forget him - or that song.

Fast forward 25 years. Jeff signs into Facebook and types in my name. Although we live in two separate provinces, we happen to be 15 minutes apart. Fate? Absolutely. When he saw me, Jeff lifted me off the ground, spun me around and said, "You're still the most beautiful woman I have ever met."

I knew then that I'd marry him. Yeah, I know, "awwwww." :-)

I Remember You played at our wedding.

Got an "I" song that reminds you of a past - or present - love? I'd love to hear your story. The sappier the better.

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

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