Inspiration is found in the strangest of places.

It's G's birthday in four days. So since I failed to finish Chapter 39 for last Wednesday, August 8th is my new, hopefully final deadline. I know, I know, I should be writing instead of updating on here. Shoot me.

I have a question for anyone who might happen upon this blog. Where do you get your writing inspiration? For me, it happens in all sorts of places and all sorts of times. I'll often get a good idea in the wee hours of the morning, on a short day trip (on which I have NOT brought a writing pad, of course, because I'm just that lucky), or in the shower. One of my most important subplots came up in the shower, actually, almost fully-formed.

But for the most part, my inspiration comes from music. I've always been that loser who makes soundtracks for her stories. Simply put, when I hear a song that reminds me of my novel in any way, it motivates me to write. When I hear a song that reminds me of a certain part or chapter, I want to write that part or chapter. I listen to music every waking moment, or at least almost.

Currently, I am quite in love with the new Black Eyed Peas hit "I Gotta Feeling". Mika's new "We Are Golden" is also a huge one for me right now (it certainly helps that Mom is Mika's hugest fan and basically stalks him). If we're talking long-term, though, Gordon Lightfoot's "Carefree Highway" is my personal favorite novel-fitting song. And those are just a few of the tunes that have inspired me over time.

What inspires you? What motivates you?

In other news, I have completed Chapter 36. Moving on. :)

Update before I watch Big Brother!

Big Brother is on in ten minutes (yay!), but seeing as I haven't posted in a few days now, I thought I would just drop it for a few moments and say hi.

So, hi!

As far as writing is concerned... progress could be worse, but it certainly could be better. In my defense, I've just completed three consecutive eight-hour shifts at work. Chapter 36 is almost done, which is wonderful, and really, all I care about at this point.

Yes, I failed to complete up to Chapter 40 for last Wednesday. Shoot me.

My Writing Friend A (WFA) is coming over to watch a couple episodes of Mental tomorrow, and afterwards, we shall head over to the Starbucks attached to work to get a bit of writing done. She is also in the process of writing a rather psychological novel. We were actually talking about the striking similarities our protagonists have today, and it's true - they do have a lot in common! G and her character are both male, mentally ill and not heterosexual (her character is gay and G is bisexual).

Since the day was extremely long at work (it was, after all, Sunday), WFA, WFB and I also made fun of diverse genre romance character names. Our favorite author is Katie McAllister, whose characters have highly amusing, unrealistic names like "Pia", "Drake", "Theondre", etc. Ironically enough, G also shares his name with a Katie McAllister cover-hottie. But his name is normal, and not Theondre-like. G's name is hardly worthy of a Katie McAllister novel, I say. Because of this, however, WFB predicted that my novel would, somewhere along the way, become a genre romance about sailors. I do agree that G would make an excellent sailor, but honestly, take me out back and shoot me dead if my novel ever becomes even somewhat reminiscent of a genre romance. To each his (or rather, her) own, but those books absolutely drive me up the wall.

Anyway, Big Brother's starting! So I have to go, but I will try to post again tomorrow!