The Man Behind the Songs: Max Martin

Update: Max has done it again! One of the (if not THE) top songs for Summer 2014 is a Max Martin track that flips the normal song formula on its head. Yes, you have probably heard it by now it is Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea's "Problem" a song that starts strong and simmers down for the chorus. This song will be sizzling everywhere you go this summer and you can thank Max Martin for it! 

This video blew my mind; I was a little skeptical at first about number of hits ‘Max Martin’ had produced so I had to check it out. It turns out this man really is a hit machine. 42-year old Swede Max Martin (his birth name is Karl Martin Sandberg) has had a hand in so many HUGE pop songs. From Katy Perry to Britney Spears he has written/co-written 16 Billboard #1 hits since 1999. Martin has even won six ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Song Writer of the year awards!

For more on the man behind the songs here is his wiki page for your perusal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Martin

Props to BoyInABand for the video! 

NaNoWrMo Update #2

We are seventeen days into National Novel Writing Month and I am still going strong with my efforts.

Yes, I am still behind but I am currently at 19,170 words (that is 30,830 words away from the goal of 50,000). I am working at a pace of 1,127 words a day. What this means is I have to work at a pace of 2,203 words a day to finish on time (November 30) rather than the original 1,667 words.

Is my novel good? Nope. I completely understand why people criticize ‘National Novel Writing Month’ it doesn’t promote actual good writing, it promotes quick writing. I am still having fun with it though and it is nice to see my progress climb a little bit everyday, hopefully I will pound out a whole lot of writing and get closer to be on track. Right now I will finish on December 15.

NaNoWrMo Update: Week 1

I am constantly challenging myself to try new things. Like oysters (growing to love them since my NYC visit), Pimms (new favourite drink thanks to Vancouver), I tried bell peppers for the first time the other day (they will have to be over powered by other foods for me to ever mistakenly eaten again); those are just a couple examples of new things I have tried recently. Oysters, surprised me, Pimms not so much and well let’s be honest with each other, I am never going to want to eat bell peppers.

One of the things I have always wanted to do but I have never done is write a book. Now, I am convinced it won’t be a best seller. In fact I have no desire for anyone else to ever read it, I just want to put my pen to paper (okay my fingers to the keyboard) and hash out a story to its completion. There is something eerily fascinating about the potential of creating something that may be bigger than you, something that will outlast you. That is why I am excited to be taking part in National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWrMo for short. Every November people take part in scribing around 1,700 words a day and crafting a novel. 

Now, I must admit, I am a little behind. I have just hit 6,500 words. By the end of today to be on par with the program I will need to have around 11,900 words. My plan is to sit and embrace this snowy weather tonight and hash out some more of my first novel. Saturday is a big word count push day too, so the push is on to get back on track and working towards my goal of finishing November 30^th!

Current Word Count: 6,500

Words Needed To Finish On Time: 11,900

Difference: -5,400

Looks like I better get at it!

It is not too late for you to join in, check it out at http://nanowrimo.org!

*This is approximate; the actual word count calendar is below.