Been listening to Bonnie Prince Billy while writing lately, courtesy of my brother. Turn the lights down and the hi-fi up. Sip your java and just listen. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG2PL2zO034] And just to show that Bonnie Prince Billy has an upbeat side: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxQuH910xc4] For what it’s worth, this guy (real name Will Oldham) played a young preacher …
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdNaA4YcXTA] [tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] This clip from School of Rock is sweet in its own right, but it’s also a good reminder that you’ve got to grind it out day after day to be good at what you do. And that’s just good. If you want to be great, well, I’ll be happy to …
Take some time, watch this and marvel. (Stolen from Bronx Banter): [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/qybUFnY7Y8w&hl=en_US&fs=1&] [tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] Now, take time to marvel at your WIP or whatever noble task at which you’ve been toiling (Parenting is a good one). You’ve put effort into the details, arranged things just so, and hopefully, when all is said and …
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmqfM74sIY] And it’s slow, so slow the idea, The coming around of a sensible word. It hovers and shakes like a hummingbird wing At the end of a long hot year. Kelly Joe Phelps – Tight to the Jar Mr. Phelps very well captures the essence of writing in the bridge from Tight to the Jar. …
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] A little Ray Lamontagne to get you over the hump this Wednesday: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25ZjKBXw8Q&feature=related] I dedicate this one to my wife, Ginger. Enjoy!
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=bit.ly] Every time I listen to the pile of music stuffed onto my hard drive, I am constantly reminded of the difficulty of good storytelling. In music, as in writing, it’s not only the story, but how the story is told. Below I’ve posted a few videos of those artists I hold …
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=bit.ly] Balancing creative outlets is not something I’ve done very well over the last nine months. Writing has taken the lion’s share of my creative time. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but there are days when I miss my other main creative outlet — playing music. Music is usually a …
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=bit.ly] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4bbH1nsHAg] They say a kiss is just a flower that a bee might return from And do his little dance at the hive Perhaps it’s worth mentioning as I write this song down I am the happiest f*cker alive Because the seashore cries out for a painter to paint it And …
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB0EYZooakU] The barn leaned over The vultures dried their wings The moon climbed up an empty sky The sun sank down behind the tree On the hill There’s a killer and he’s coming Through the rye But maybe he’s the Father Of that lost little girl It’s hard to tell in this light And I …
Everyone who writes finds themselves lacking motivation at one time or another, probably more than we’d like. But there is hope. Even though most of us can’t afford to employ Mr. T (even at his advanced age, I’ll bet he can still whip most of our asses) here are some pretty obvious ways to rejuvenate …