iPod Essentials #34: "Peter Gunn"--Art of Noise

This Essential is a recent download to my Pod. It's one of those songs that you forget about until you hear it playing on the radio (which is seldom). It's a jazzy, techno remake of the classic theme of the 60's TV show, written by the late great Henry Mancini, I believe. It's sexy, great when you're thinking about writing those gun-wielding scenes in your manuscript.

Join Together

Writers groups are invaluable inspiration to learn about the craft, network with others, and motivate yourself to finish your work. I find whenever I attend at MWA So Cal or a SinC/LA meeting, I take my manuscripts and myself more seriously. It's a domino effect: one person finishes a work, another gets something else published, and so forth. If they can do it, so will I.

If you're new to writing, or if you've been struggling to complete a work, join a writer's group or an organization. Join now.

iPod Essentials #33: "New Toy"--Lene Lovitch

This Essentials is dedicated to my new desktop computer, which I will begin installing tomorrow. (I've heard bad things about Vista, so I'm a bit nervous.). My new computer is a Dell, like usual, but this time it was a One Time Only value on QVC. I saved about $700, even though it has a lot of bells and whistles.

"New Toy" is a silly song about casual flings. Though I don't like replacing big-ticket items until they begin to give me problems, some things and flings can be light.

Wish me luck...

iPod Essentials #32: "Dreamin'"--Cliff Richard

Today's Essential is dedicated to the Mega Millions jackpot I did not win last night. (But hey, I got one number on my ticket.)

Cliff Richard has been a pop institution in Britain since the 60's. He's turned out some good songs, like "Devil Woman." I like this song because it's light and breezy, great for dreaming about lottery jackpots and quitting day jobs (Bye, bye teaching!) and taking long vacations to faraway places (Botswana, anyone? India? Tuscany?) and lifelong private Pilates sessions and my own Paint horse and...

Well, you get the picture. I think I'll pick up a Superlotto ticket today for tonight's jackpot.