It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for another posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

I could’ve just titled it “seven playlists” instead…

Anyhow, it’s the middle of winter so I’m in desperate need for inspiration to not just cuddle up with a Rottweiler and read until spring. Right now, my mindset is a little like this: you can’t make me, and neither can I.

I’m sure I’m not the only author who goes through this. Part of it is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Part of it has to do with it already being July (look at what I’ve already accomplished this year) and I’ve done all the “urgent” stuff first, so my brain is telling me I’m done for now. This is the same thing that happens when you start work in the day with a full to-do list and do all the urgent stuff first, so the rest never happens… (Here’s a great goal setting video to watch.) I need to work now to lay the groundwork to have another successful publishing year in 2026, but it seems my inner child is in charge right now.

Sigh.

To do admin, I have a playlist to keep me going. For some reason, it is rather dark…

Mad World (Tears for Fears), Creep (RadioHead), My Immortal (Evanescence), Dreams (Fleetwood Mac), How You Remind Me (Nickelback), Mercy (OneRepublic), Running Up That Hill (Placebo), Rolling in the Deep (Adele), I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys).

To do translations, I have a unicorn colouring in chart, gold stars and a playlist consisting of the very best of The Doors to keep me going when I’d rather cuddle with Caitlin.

This playlist is on YouTube (with song titles in the image) and includes my favourite The Doors song “Riders on the Storm”.

To write my current WIP, my playlist is full of 3 Doors Down, The Cranberries, P!nk, Halsey, Lady Gaga, Queen, Linkin Park, OneRepublic, Within Temptation, Alanis Morissette, Nickelback, All-American Rejects, and Evanescence. A Nightwish song might’ve slipped in… The playlist is way too long to share here, but think “greatest hits” and rogue favourites.

So, I write the first draft (and do revisions) long hand. To type my work, I listen to James Blunt, Bon Jovi, Journey or Cher. It absolutely depends on my mood. I have playlists of my favourite songs from each that keep me busy.

I need to stay out of my head while cooking and I’m not up to pretending I’m in the MasterChef kitchen right now, so I’m listening to VoicePlay. I just love what this acapella group does with songs I know well. It’s such a treat to listen to them. Here’s their Broadway playlist.

And just watch this one from The Lion King…

I need energy while exercising, and right now The E.N.D by The Black Eyed Peas is still at the top of my exercise playlist. The Energy Never Dies with this one. LOL.

All of this is to keep me focused, active and in the zone to get stuff done. But at the end of the day, I need to unwind and be calm to sleep. Otherwise I pull all-nighters which isn’t good… I like soft piano music and rain sounds – preferably combined. There’s something soothing about it. Here’s an example:

I hope this helps you with whatever you’re struggling right now on your writer’s journey.

You can learn loads more on my For Authors page here. What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Oh, I have a couple of books discounted as part of the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale.

Learn more about each book:

Breaking the Habit | Adventures in Audio | Small, Everyday Fae | The Realm of the Fae | Power Players of Faerie | Water Fae | The 30 Day Author Platform Challenge | All About Blogging: For Authors

*Afrikaans counterparts are on sale, too.

**Click the Smashwords link after clicking “buy eBook” in the description to go to the discounted book.