I'm Here to Convert You

My view from the front row!

No really, I am. Not into a certain religious belief or anything like that, but into becoming a fan of Jack Johnson's (and those of you who know I went to his concert last night totally saw this post coming today). I'm always astonished by how many people still have no idea who the man is. I swear to you almost every time I make someone listen to his songs, they become instant fans. Admittedly, I still may be experiencing a bit of euphoria from last night's concert, but that's not the point. How can you not like him? He's the f'n mellow man (see video below).

To give you a better understanding of why I'm such a ginormous fan, here are some facts you may not know about Jack Johnson, and reasons why you should become a fan if you're not already:

With my big brother and sister

The man's a total charity junkie. He's giving 100% of the proceeds from his All at Once tour to charity. You read that right, every last cent. The money will go to 75 different charities in the U.S. and Europe. Plus he matches donations to the non-profit vendors that tour with him. And he and his wife created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, a non-profit public charity supporting environmental, art, and music education worldwide. They also founded the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, which supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii. He donated $50,000 to GlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, and another $50,000 for Hurricane Sandy relief. The guy has generated enough good karma to last him a thousand lifetimes.

He writes love songs "so his wife will fall in love with him all over again." Those are his exact words, people. He met his wife when they were just starting college, and they've been together 20 years. Just about every other song includes lyrics that have something to do with his marriage or his three children. As if he wasn't already swoon-worthy just by looking at him.

He actively helps to preserve our environment. He uses all bio-diesel for his tour buses (yes, he got the idea from Willie Nelson, but who cares?). He grows/raises most of the food his family eats in their backyard. On his tour, he educates people on plastic free initiatives, and sustainable local food projects. All the t-shirts on his website are 100% organic.

Not only does he live on the beautiful island of Oahu, but he's a surfer—a really, really good one. He was a pro until a bad accident at age 17 that caused him to lose teeth, have 150 stitches in his forehead. I once saw him say in an interview that he only tours a few months at a time because he gets uncomfortable being too far away from the ocean. He hangs out with Kelly Slater. He looks amazing in a pair of swim trunks. Need I say more?

Jack's funny, down to earth, and extremely easy-going. The video for his newest release I've Got You was filmed on location around Oahu with a buddy. His wife took the picture of him sitting by the ocean for the cover of his new album. At his concerts he wears t-shirts and flip-flops. I'm telling you, watch the video above. You can thank me later.

I could literally go on and on, but I'm totally exhausted after only a few hours of sleep, and need to go back to bed. Or drink a butt load of caffeine. Or both. Just listen to the man's albums, support his causes, and make your day a little brighter in the process. If we all had hearts as big as Jack Johnson's, world peace would've been realized by now.

Jack Johnson - "I Got You" Music Video

If you've read What I've Done then you're already well aware of what a giant Jack Johnson fan I am. It never hurts that he lives in my favorite vacation spot of all time, either. If you don't really know Jack's music, I suggest you give this easy going tune a listen. The visual of the video is just as pleasing. I dare you to listen and not tap your toe or find yourself whistling...

Feeling Inspired

I've probably mentioned a few thousands times just how much music inspires me. I swear sometimes  there's even a soundtrack for my life (especially when I have music playing 24/7). Music can change your mood on a dime - it can make you feel sexy, happy, sad, scared, excited and even violent (that last one is maybe just me when the radio only gets country). When I think of vacations, I make a playlist. When I'm preparing for a special photo shoot, I make a playlist. There's a handful of songs for every occasion. I often think another great career choice for me would've been a musical director for movies.

While finishing up a total re-write of my fourth novel Cheating Death, I stumbled across two gems that really got my writing gears going.

Seven Devils by Florence + the Machine

A huge shout out to my Twitter friend Katrina for officially introducing me to this one. I'm pretty sure I've heard it before, but when I mentioned that I was looking for spooky music, she suggested this one. It totally nailed the sexy/spooky/haunting feel I was aiming for and I often play it on repeat while writing.

Gratuitous Sex and Violins by Christopher Lennertz (Supernatural soundtrack)

Honestly, I wish I could get my hands on this one for my book trailer. It's beautifully haunting with just a tint of sadness. I guess part of my love for the Supernatural series I only recently got into has to do with the excellent music selections.





So thanks to these two songs and a few others, I see the end in sight for book #4. Hopefully by the end of February I'll have a song picked out for the book trailer that's just as haunting and beautiful as these two. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for my new book cover, coming even sooner!

MORE exciting news!

This has been an exciting week! Not only is my zombie book now available in the Kindle lending library, but a blog I've been working on with eleven other very fun and spirited ladies is about to go live this Saturday! Being an author can be a lonely road to travel, so we joined together to document our unique journeys as well as bring you other news from the writing world. To get to know my fellow authors that will be blogging along with me, you can check out their profiles here.

Here's a preview of what you can expect from this brand-spanking new blog! 

	The Tuesday Topic: On Tuesdays, each of us will chime with our perspective on a popular writing topic. We'll ask for your point of view in the comments!
	Writers' Review: On Wednesday, one of us will suggest a new book that we're sure you'll love!
	Write Now: On Thursdays, we'll all come together to give you a short insight into what we're doing for our craft at that single point in time.
	Song for a Scene Saturday: On Saturday, one of us will share with you a specific song that inspired or influenced a scene in our writing.
	Dear Diary: A look into the milestones and pitfalls of our journey. We aim for an honest and pull-no-punches view into our minds as we navigate our path to publication.
	Fact and Fiction: We will tell you about one of our personal experiences that differed from our expectations.
	What's New: We'll highlight book releases, contests, other fabulous blogs, and other happenings in our community.
	Who to Watch for: Interviews with up-and-comers as well as industry vets!

Oh, and we're everywhere on the web, so be sure to follow us on the sites below for all the exciting new we will have to offer!

• Email
• Pinterest
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Tumblr
• RSS

Writer Wednesday: Maria Monteiro

Welcome to the first installment of Writer Wednesday! Each week I hope to introduce you to a new indie author and ask them 10 questions to get to know them.

First up is my friend Maria Monteiro, who just released her second book called Letting Go. I first met Maria on Twitter back in April when we were both releasing our first books. I commented to her that I have a tattoo the same as the title of her book (Hold on Tight) and we hit it off right away. We even have a (somewhat neglected) blog together. In addition to being a concert junkie and kind hearted, Maria can write a mean romantic triangle.

Tell us about your new release, Letting Go.

Letting Go is the squeal to Hold on Tight. At the end of Hold on Tight, Emma is still left confused about who she wants to be with. She’s starting to get feelings for Court again while still holding on to her feelings for Nash. In Letting Go, Emma decides who she wants to be with, but there is a secret she has to tell and issues with her parents she has to deal with. The second book is not only about choosing a guy, it’s also about dealing with curve balls life throws at you.

What's your favorite scene in this book?

It’s a scene she has with her mom in her parents' room. I have a very close relationship with my mother, so anytime I wrote about Emma’s relationship with her mother, I got a little emotional.

Were any aspects of the story brought on by either personal experience or inspiration?

Yes. There is a scene in which Emma goes to the Bowery Ballroom to see her one of her favorite bands and the lead singer makes eye contact with her. That actually happened to me and I reacted the same way Emma does in the book. I also love ice cream just as much as Emma does. I seriously could eat it all day long.

When did you first realize you wanted to become an author?

In the fourth grade, when I wrote my first story. I remember thinking wow, this fun to be able to control people like this. In a weird way I felt like I was playing God with my characters. Little did I know, sometimes they control me. I know that sounds crazy, but I’m sure authors out there know what I’m talking about. 

What are some of your personal favorite books?

My all time favorite book is Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read it. I wish John After was a real person and I could find him.

What music do you listen to while writing?

While I was writing Hold on Tight and Letting Go I listened to O.A.R, Lifehouse, Parachute and Yellowcard. For the book I’m writing now, I’ve been listening a lot to Dave Matthews, Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, American Bang and of course O.A.R.

What's the most satisfying thing about writing?

That feeling you get when your manuscript is done. It’s amazing when you have accomplished something you started. It’s a moment of great pride. It’s a beautiful feeling.

Hardest thing?

Having to promote your work. I’m not good at it at all. I wish I knew the secret to it, but I don’t. It’s also hard to say goodbye to the characters you worked with for so long. You find yourself missing them, even though they drove you crazy towards the end. 

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I am working on an adult romantic comedy titled Facing Home. It’s about a girl who has to move back home after being away at college because she cannot find a job. She has to deal with everything she left behind including her ex-boyfriend who is about to marry one of her best friends. I’m having a lot of fun writing it.

If you could choose to shake the hand of any person, who would that be?

Okay, quick story before I tell you. Three years ago I was walking around feeling dead inside. I wasn’t writing or doing anything creative. I felt so blah with no motivation. One day my husband came home and said let's do something this weekend. I said okay what? He told me about a concert near us with a band I had never heard of. I love concerts, so I agreed to go. I didn’t know anything about this band and their name made me think they were a boy band. I went without knowing anything about them (I wasn’t in the mood to Google them). Little did I know they were about to change my whole life. I don’t know what it was about their music, but it woke me up creatively again. They made me feel like I had a purpose. Since then they have become my favorite band, I have all their albums, not a day goes by that I don’t listen to at least one of their songs and I go see them in concert every chance I get. For that reason I would love to shake the hands of Marc Roberge, Chris Culos, Richard On, Beng Gershman and Jerry DePizzo the guys from O.A.R (Of A Revolution) and thank them for saving my life.

Ways to follow Maria: Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, her website

Where to find her books: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBook and Kobo

Maria Monteiro was born in Chile and moved to America when she was only three years old. She was raised in Sleepy Hollow New York, but no, she's never run into the Headless Horseman. She got her BA in English and her Masters in Literacy. She became a preschool teacher, and though it’s been fun, it has never been her dream to teach. She has always wanted to write.

Soundtracks That Are Good for the Soul

It's no secret how much I love music. My family is always teasing me because I declare every other song to be my favorite. I'm one of those people who literally has music playing wherever I go (when I do chores around the house, my phone is in my pocket). I live for concerts (I've ben to dozens in my lifetime). I encourage my children to play instruments (piano, violin and bass guitar). I tear up when I hear the adult choir sing at church. I even have three music-themed tattoos.

While I appreciate all kinds of music, there are select few songs that can really reach down into my soul and move me to the point that my eyes water and I'm rendered speechless. Most of those songs just happen to be movie soundtracks. When searching for a song to use in the Shymers book trailer (the amazing winner is The Holy Grail by Olive Musique), I considered what goes into a truly memorable musical score and considered my favorites. Each of them usually features a piano and/or string instruments, sometimes paired with haunting voices.

Here are some of my favorite songs from soundtracks that really got to me. Maybe these songs are so moving because they come from excellent movies. Maybe I just have a fetish for this genre. Or maybe these songs are just all that amazing. Click on the songs' titles to hear them.

Lily's Theme: Alexandre Desplat

Safe Now: Mark Isham

Family Matters: Michael Giacchino

May It Be: Howard Shore & Tara Scammell

Forrest Gump Suite: Alan Silvestri

The Abyss: Alan Silvestri

E. T. Soundtrack Suite: John Williams

The Dream: James Horner

The Walking Dead: Bear McCreary 

While I could have listed everything John Williams has ever done, I decided that would be redundant so I only chose one. And while I know The Walking Dead theme song isn't necessarily a "soundtrack" and it's not actually a movie, I think the song deserves to be listed.

Are there any powerful soundtracks that you would add to this list?