Otep, Dark Inspiration and Other Stuff....

I’m an avid people watcher. No matter where I go, I love to watch people. I get a lot of inspiration from just observing everything and everyone around me which is why I spend lots of time at coffee shops and lunch hours at grocery stores and bookstores.

Yeah, I said grocery stores...I have a fancy schmancy one by my job that has a lounge with a big screen tv, nice soft couches, free wi-fi, and a Starbucks. What more could one ask for? If I want a snack, I just go over to the produce section for some sweet blueberries and strawberries (I buy them of course...I'm not a moocher) or if I’m really hungry, a few steps to the bistro is all it takes….it’s like having the biggest refrigerator in the world. Heh.

My friends also give me food for fodder for this blog and story ideas. They crack me up and I love that they all have a sense of humor that is really “out there.” I love you guys! You know who you are. Speaking of friends, this week I especially love “B” who bought me dinner for my birthday while we were in Flagstaff. I don’t want to leave out “J,” who I am equally as fond of. We spent the weekend with them and had lots of fun traipsing through art galleries, funky stores, and spending all of a half hour at the tiny Pride festival in Flagstaff.

Alright, I KNEW if I didn’t mention that my g/f got me a Tiffany & Co necklace for my birthday, I’d never hear the end of it. Yet, I still thought I could get away with not bringing it up here (I didn’t want let on that I’m spoiled). Sure enough when she read this post….it was the FIRST thing she mentioned. So, thank you baby! (She chastised me as I re-edited this post...lol). Uh oh…I think I’m in trouble. I guess that means I should be punished? (nudges new leather whip in her direction)

Ok, now where was I going with this post? Oh...yeah…I was trying to lead up to Otep Shamaya. Music plays a HUGE part in helping keep me focused when I write. Once I put my ear buds in and turn on the music; I find sweet relief and escape into a world of my own creation, namely the story that I’m working on.

Lately I’ve been surrounded by a lot of negativity and it has taken its toll writing-wise…the energy to write had been sucked right out of me but I finally came to my senses and decided to take those negative influences and pour them into something with a positive result. I started a dark erotic vampire story awhile ago and decided to pick it back up again and continue with it. So now, I had to find some music befitting of a dark story. THAT is when I discovered Otep Shamaya and her band (Otep). Knowing absolutely nothing about the band, I picked up their music cd because the cover, “The Ascension,” caught my eye and looked strangely dark but beautiful. I took it home, popped it into my computer and whoa, my eardrums were greeted with the sexiest female growl ever. Holy shit…a female heavy metal screamer! Dayumm…. I was immediately smitten and blown away. If it was dark I was searching for, I certainly FOUND IT! The first song I listened to was “Milk of Regret.” Wow! LoL. Now, I can’t stop myself from listening to her music and the more I read about her the more I like her. To top it all off, she’s a lesbian. How cool is THAT? Now, as I write my vampire story, I sometimes pause for a few minutes, and just to listen to Otep’s seductive growl and scream. (sighs contentedly) Ahhhh….This marriage of dark music and writing is working beautifully for me.…I’m a happy writer once again!

-Dylynn