The Ole Master Plan

Songwriting Brilliance, unless you're Duran Duran

Songwriters run a linguistic obstacle course, making words bend to the music, rhyme like poetry and, if they're very very good, they leave a lasting image or tell a great story.

I have a new favorite song, Adele's  "Set Fire to the Rain."  

Now, there's a picture!

"But I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face, let it burn while I cry, 'cause I heard it scream out your name."

She's in pain because he's a big fat liar, so even the rain burns when she touches his face.  I love it.  Also, this song got me through 30 minutes on a cross-ramp at the gym earlier today.

And who doesn't love a good Brad Paisley song?  He's the king of story-telling to music, clever and witty.  I think his best thus far for comedy is Ticks.  

"Cuz I'd like to see you, out in the moonlight.  I'd like to kiss you, way back in the sticks.  I'd like to walk you through a field of wild flowers. And I'd like to check you for ticks."

In contrast, just as I was really working up a sweat and daydreaming about my brilliant concert debut, in which I'm a size 2 and can wear outfits like Beyonce (okay, probably not this outfit), my iPod switched songs.  

Next up came "Hungry Like the Wolf."  

"In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt.  I'm after you.  I smell like I sound.  I'm lost and I'm found.  And I'm hungry like the wolf."

"I smell like I sound?"  

Let's contemplate that line, shall we?

Either he smells like the wolf of his song, wild and fierce, with the light waft of fresh hasenpfeffer from his early morning bunny kill - with a side of 80s synthesizer - OR he smells of malt vinegar from his lunch at the nearby British pub - with a side of 80s synthesizer.  

Clear storytelling?  No.  Clear mental picture?  No.

 But... check out John Taylor's head band!  I'd bet my kitties that Michael Flatley watched this video a time or two between dance lessons.  Just sayin...

Duran Duran
Get More: Duran Duran, MTV Hive

 

 

Row #80 check in

Monday -- Bulletin board bought, character outlines begun.  Blogged about goals.

Tuesday -- Wrote 318 words.  Watched Lil Tates lick her paws while sitting on my bulletin board.

Wednesday -- Thus far, word count is only 120, but major character shift in the works, so making notes.  Blew the cat hair off my board.

Confession:  It appears my cart and horse are facing each other and clopping nowhere.  I found my main character's voice could be anybody, from Sue the Checkout Girl to a female Howard Cosell.  Not good.  So while my word counts may not be much, my peeps are in personality class.  Film at 11.

Sending out applause to my fellow Round of Words in 80 Days participants.  
Hang in there.  And when in doubt, I recommend an iced mocha and maybe a rerun of '30 Rock' to clear your head.  

A Round of Words in 80 Days

I'm joining a goal-setting, word-count oriented, writing group, called A Round of Words in 80 Days.
 

Why?  Several reasons come to mind:

• I'm not stressed enough.
  
• I don't have enough unfinished household projects.
  
• And my self esteem is a tall, stately, marble column.
  

I figured I could remedy all three points in one fell writing challenge.

Please don't mention this to JP.  He'll take my temperature, point at my unfinished piles (box of tile supplies, piles of quilting fabric, empty textile frames), and possibly run.  I couldn't blame him, but I really like him here with me.  So while he knows I'm getting more serious about my writing, no need to elaborate.

Goals:

1. Write 250 words/five days per week.  AKA, get up early... whimper.
   
2. Blog at least three days per week.
   
3. Flesh out characterization.  I have four major players and several background players.
   
4. Fill in story board with plot points.
   

Speaking of story board,  I ran into the greatest blog site a few weeks back, called Write Place, Write Time.  The author simply posts where writers actually do their writing.  Jenna Blum, author of "Those Who Save Us" and "The Stormchasers" inspired me.  She said,  

"No matter where I am, I put up my “Book On A Wall”:  
the handwritten outline of the novel,
so I have a map of where I’m going.  
The photo is of THE STORMCHASERS book on a wall at the AmericInn."  

 

 

I want to be Jenna when I grow up.  So I bought a cork board.
My board is empty, but now I have the tools.  
AND it's an art project, kinda... that I have no room for.
Won't JP be pleased? 

Friday Haiku

 

Tante, age 3.  Mom, age 5.

 

Ode to Cowgirls

Cowgirls face danger.
No blinking, holsters loaded,
They stare down bad guys.

Cowgirls require hats.
Important accessories
Include matching skirts.

Cowgirls ride in twos.
Clint Eastwood and side-kick,
Never rode alone.

Cowgirls walk the line,
Marching perimeter of yard,
Scowling at bad boys.

Cowgirls sometimes nap.
It's hard to patrol all day,
When small and sleepy.

Cowgirls need mommies, 
For snacks, hugs, and photo ops.
Then ride to sunset.