'Round the Block: Inspiration

Quick reminder: This week's Requestion is open to responses until Friday's Weekend Shuffle, when I will shower my favorite answer with affection and as much free publicity as being spotted on my blog can afford.

Now! It's Wednesday, which means it's time to go

'Round the Block.

What does that mean? A little something different every week. The block may refer to a creative block, or it may refer to the fact that I'm kicking pebbles around the internet and seeing what rises to the surface.

This week, it's the former.

Throughout the month of February, I am going to be writing up a storm. I have a fun new YA horror-fantasy novel that's taken me by storm. My brain is agog with ideas and symbolism and character development and as I chunk into my year-long sabbatical*, I want to make the best use of it. February is going to see the first draft complete. March will be a heavy editing month. April will be fine-tuning. Then, at the end of April, I have a week's vacation scheduled from work to reward myself/finish work if I've been lazy.

So there is a plan, and the action is intense. I have a notebook chalk full of scatter-brained research and giddy plot twists. There's enough un-planned that the thrill of the chase is strong. I have an amazing soundtrack that I have been listening the crap out of. I've been staring down inspiration art, and watching all of the creepy shows at my disposal.

I can't disclose much about the project at this stage for multiple reasons. As I get some meat on the bones, I'll talk more about it. But for now, I can share my inspirations. Have a look!

This is involved!

As is this!

Yeah, buddy!

And a little bit of this, too!

And the songs headlining the soundtrack:

The new project doesn't have a title yet. I think this is going to be one of those that doesn't have a name until it actually exists. That happens sometimes.

And that's all I have to share! Anyone else got some inspiration they want to let the rest of us indulge in..?

Killer Bees!

Hey Internet!

I've been holding off on a new post because there is a lot of media I wanted to share with you that is taking a while to get finished off. The very first Phil Innis monologue, some drawings, some photos--including a gorgeous necklace my best friend Kayla made for me--and a bit of writing, of course. I know, it's my own fault for expecting to get all of that done whilst also keeping my thumbs stuck in pies labeled 'work' and 'school.' So, I'll apologize for the unintentional hiatus and we'll just move on with our online relationship.

Well, I still don't have any of those cool things above ready to post. So I thought I'd center this one on music.

Music is a big part of what I do (meaning, in my mind, writing). For each project I undertake, there is a song that cements the feel of it into my mind. I call this the 'Coffin Song' because it signals the end of the mushy-gushy-sculptable phase of the project, and the beginning of the actual work on it. I may have blogged about this before. If so...well, repetition is the mother of...something, I forget.

The Coffin Song for Ze Book is Chambermaid Swing, by Parov Stelar:

Listen to that beauty and you'll get a good feel for Ze Book's world. Or maybe you'll get a completely different feel for something else. That's fine, too.

The Coffin Song for The Phil Innis Adventures is Film Noir, by Venus Throw. Sadly, I cannot find a link to this epic song, but let me put this into perspective for you...hearing it for the first time affected me so much, I made a previously run-of-the-mill hardboiled detective Southern. Yes, the entire reason PIA has a Southern edge to it at all is because of Venus Throw. They describe themselves as noirbilly! There's nothing better I can say for them than that. Hop onto iTunes and buy their stuff.

End advert.

Going from that vein, though, the entire reason I was inspired to make a post about music is because I discovered a new wonderful addition to my 'Phil Innis' playlist. They fit in perfectly well with Venus Throw and Imelda May. I would like to share them with you: Kim D and the Killer Bees!

A sample of their great old timey, jazzy, rocky sound can be found in "Hot Blooded Woman":

They're not available on iTunes, but their music can be purchased on the ReverbNation link provided above. It's worth all 596-or-so pennies, in my humble opinion.

And that's about all I have to say for now. Give me a little more time and I'll get another post up with all those cool pictures and sound files that I promised. Until then, take care!

-J