By Kim Chaffee I am a plotter, through and through. But before I can sit down to outline a new story, research a nonfiction topic, or brainstorm possible obstacles for my main character to encounter…I dance. That’s right. I dance. To be clear, it’s not pretty (think Elaine from Seinfeld…ok, maybe not that bad)- but it is effective at getting my blood flowing, my creative juices pumping, and it puts me in a great mood to attack my work with a positive mindset. It brings me back to my high school volleyball days when we would crank up Jock Jams before a big game. Yeah, it’s kind of like that. Music is so subjective and surely a song or two that gets your feet tapping has popped into your head while reading this, but here are a few from my playlist if you need some suggestions: Black Horse and Cherry Tree K.T. Tunstall They Don’t Know Ariana Grande (Trolls soundtrack) Nasty Janet Jackson The Greatest Show (The Greatest Showman soundtrack) Single Ladies Beyoncé Footloose Kenny Loggins Warning: Dancing can be addicting. My advice is to choose two, maybe three songs to get you going for the day. You don’t want to spend all of your writing time shaking your groove thang! As much as I love and need the pump-up music, once I’m warmed up, it’s time to switch the tempo a bit so I can focus on my writing. For this, my go-to is soundtracks. Braveheart, and Avatar are solid choices and Jurassic Park is a recent addition to my writing playlist. This music helps me concentrate and keeps me on task. How about you? What music gets you going? Keeps you on task? I’m always looking for great suggestions! Kim Chaffee
HER FEARLESS RUN: KATHRINE SWITZER’S HISTORIC BOSTON MARATHON, illustrated by Ellen Rooney Page Street Kids April 2, 2019
8 Comments
10/9/2018 07:09:08 pm
Love your playlist, Kim! And I agree...music helps me get energized. Sometimes I put on Pandora on my computer and then pound away at the keyboard (computer keyboard, not piano keyboard) to Bob Dylan and Billy Joel!
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Kim Chaffee
10/19/2018 07:37:37 am
I LOVE Billy Joel, Vivian! Excellent choice!
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10/10/2018 07:27:40 am
Fun post, Kim! (I'm already energized just by reading your playlist!) A couple songs that came to mind are Freedom! ’90 and Prince's Let's Go Crazy. (And Vivian, I LOVE Bob Dylan! :)
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Kim Chaffee
10/19/2018 07:38:40 am
Prince is a great addition to the playlist! Thanks for the suggestion, Sheri!
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10/10/2018 10:29:32 am
I love to dance! In fact, I have dance parties with my kids. Gotta shake out those cobwebs. Favorite music to dance to? I currently digging Matt & Kim, Foster the People, St. Lucia, or Sir Sly.
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Kim Chaffee
10/19/2018 07:40:09 am
We have dance parties, too! But I'm going to need to get up to speed on some of your suggestions - I'm sure they are fabulous!
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Wendy Greenley
10/18/2018 05:17:56 am
Janet's NASTY played yesterday while I was at the keyboard! Coldplay just finished and B-52s are singing now. :)
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Kim Chaffee
10/19/2018 07:41:00 am
Yassss, Wendy! NASTY is a new addition for me but I can't stop playing it! Brings me back and gets me moving! :)
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