Developed by author and blogger Alex Cavanaugh, IWSG is a bloghop for writers by writers. To find out more about the IWSG monthly bloghop or the IWSG website, click the links.
Thank you Alex and the co-hosts this month you all are awesome!
Last night my mother and I
went to a Jazz show. On stage was a 6 piece band and a vocalist who transported
us back 80 years….. to a cocktail lounge bar with wooden bar stools and worn
velvet lounge chairs. Smoke hangs low in the air and people are drinking, and
smoking, and dancing. Men are dressed in suits and hats, and women in fur, it’s
the 1930s and the band is playing Duke Ellington.
Music really does move
people, physically and emotionally and during the entire performance I could
not help but dance a little in my seat. My feet tapped, my head bobbed, and my
hands clapped. I smiled the entire time. After each song, there was a roaring applause. It was an outstanding performance. And yet, something was strange…almost
everyone around me managed to sit still the entire time, as if they were
watching a tragedy. I kept wondering how in the world anyone could listen to such
great music and not move, even a little, to the beat. Sure Jazz isn’t everyone’s
cup of tea, but you wouldn’t buy tickets to a Jazz performance if it wasn’t. I
started thinking it must be a cultural thing. The French tend to be quiet and reserved
in public, and now I’m thinking I must have been so annoying to the people seated
to the back of me, lol!
Anyway, just like with
music, people will respond differently to your writing. They’re going to love
it or hate it for different reasons, and that’s ok. What’s important is you
keep writing, keep typing away to that tune in your head, get your words onto
the stage and into the spotlight because that’s how we improve, that’s how we
move forward. And, when it comes down to it, that’s what we need, to share our stories
with the crowd.
Go on, I dare you to listen and not at least, tap your feet. ;)
haha oh well, annoy the stuffy stiffs. Very true, no matter what it is or who you are, you'll never ever please everyone. You could invent the cure for cancer and you'd still piss someone off.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Everything, especially any of the arts or the entertainment industry, is subjective to others' opinions. But opinions are just that, not a gauge on value. *I totally chuckled at Pat's comment.
ReplyDeleteThe audience for our stories is out there, but we'll never find them if we don't keep writing. :)
ReplyDeleteGood point, Elise! Everything is subjective and everyone expresses their enjoyment in different ways. You've just got to do what you love, even though that sounds so cliche. But, the successful are always happy and doing what they love, so it does have merit.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day!
So odd they didn't respond. As a musician, that would've bothered me. Music sets the mood.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point there! I often think about how people are going to take what I write. The criticism will be hard to not take personally- but everyone is entitled to their opinion of course.
ReplyDeleteSeems sad not to show you enjoy the music though!
Nice way to drop in a life lesson Elise.
ReplyDeleteHi Elise - that must have been a wonderful evening out ... sharing your love of Jazz with your mother. I agree I'd be gently moving around ... probably with my eyes closed, to absorb all the vibes. Sheena-kay says it .. a great analogy and so often that happens to me as I live life ... a blog post comes out in my mental spaces! Lovely and am so happy for you - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteA lot of us are still trying to determine if we're good enough to create some real music...or destined to be stuck in the Karaoke bar. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing well!
I'd have been moving and tapping feet with you. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Melissa—I would have been moving and possibly grooving right along with you!
ReplyDeleteSometimes just sharing your enthusiasm serves to remind others that they're not living! I love music, all kinds. Glad you had the experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trip back in time. I used to love Duke Ellington.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great concert. And I hear you on keeping on with getting out work out there. :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine sitting still while good music is playing, but then, I'm always dancing a little. my kids always make fun of me for dancing while I drive.
ReplyDeleteJazz is my personal favorite musical genre.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's possible to keep still and unaffected while listening to good music. It stirs your emotions. Demands a physical response. Nodding along, tapping your foot, drumming your fingers... something or the other!
Happy Writing!
I make my haunted club, Meilori's, a jazz club since its music speaks to the heart and its losses. You're right: each of us has a target audience which may be large or small, but we will not appeal to everyone -- their loss, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteI too love jazz, and that's a great observation about music and writing.
ReplyDeleteI can never sit still when there's good music being played. Don't know how people can.
ReplyDeleteLove the video/music. I tapped my feet and it put me in a great mood. I love jazz- and most music. You are right though- everyone likes different things. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Happy New Year Elise! Miss you!
ReplyDelete