The Writer's Playlist--Read Me Maybe, Reading, and All About Them Books

Did you know my major was Elementary Education? Yep, that's why I chose to be a substitute teacher. I never had my own class because my hubby and I started our family, but I've always enjoyed being around kids. I especially love it when they get into writing.

Today I'm saluting kids, teachers, and the librarians who keep the supply flowing.

The Writer's Playlist--Dramatic Song by Toby Turner (Tobuscus)

This song makes me laugh every time. Listen and then we'll talk about what it has to do with writing.

:) Are you smiling?

We've all been here, right? Every writer comes to the writing world with different natural talents, but that doesn't mean we get it right the first time. It takes work and practice. Maybe we follow a formula. Maybe we try to make our story sound like an author we admire. Whatever it is, we eventually have to find our own voice, our own words.

What other writing lessons can you pull from this song?

You can also check out his Depressing Song, The Sideburns Song, What Does the Fax Say, and the Viral Song. His feed is great background music for cleaning the house. Seriously. If you have to clean the house you should play something to make you laugh because it's so silly.

The Writer's Playlist--The Fog of Writing by Barenaked Ladies

You can find the most amazing things on YouTube. And the craziest. I love it! This week I'll be sharing fun songs about writing. Hope you enjoy!

This one is from a dear friend's favorite group. Seriously, she talks about BNL all the time. Of course they'd have a song about writing. They are referring to writing songs, but it fits any form of writing.

 Did you find yourself dancing along? What parts called out to you and your current writing?

I loved the beginning about changing names and tense, but if you substitute the word novel for song the whole thing is perfect.

The fog of writing is like the fog of war. 

You lie to yourself, and you pretend you can do it so you can do it some more.

You make things right, and make some sense. 

You change names to protect the guilty and you change the tense. 

Can I change your mind? 

This [novel] could be the one!

Yep, been there. Felt and thought every one of those lines. How about you?

Motivation Week Kick-off! Who and What?

This week I thought we could talk about the things that keep us writing. The goal is to help you ask yourself some questions about why you write, what you want to accomplish and how you are going to do that. We'll touch on who, when and where along the way.

Today is easy.

What?

Writing, that's what. Feeling things in your heart, seeing things in your mind, meeting characters and visiting new worlds and then trying to put all of that into words on a page.

 

That's what.

 

Not always as easy as we hope, but always rewarding when we put in the time and effort. Worth it when someone reads a snippet and says, "Is there more?? I need to read more of this!"

 

The second What question will have a different answer for almost each and every one of us.

 

What do you write?

 

Answer for us in the comments! All of us at UB would love to hear from some of you more quiet lurkers. We have big things coming up this fall and we need to know what you write so we can tailor it to fit YOU!



Who?

Well, you of course!

 

If you are here, then you have an interest in writing. All of us have different reasons for writing, different approaches and different goals, but we'll save those for another day. But YOU are a writer. You are WHO is going to accomplish great things, share wonderful stories, make people laugh and cry over your characters.

 

Do it!
Know it!
Believe it!

And when people feel your mind with doubts, sing this song at the top of your lungs.