tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post9185728639556810921..comments2024-01-12T11:26:35.176-05:00Comments on Working Stiffs: I've got rhythm, I've got music...Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-91015934139932074212009-09-06T23:33:48.580-04:002009-09-06T23:33:48.580-04:00Sorry for being late. I always read my work aloud ...Sorry for being late. I always read my work aloud to hear the rhythm. I can't hear it as well if I read it to myself.<br /><br />Good post Jennie.Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-45224949228034701882009-09-06T23:32:09.141-04:002009-09-06T23:32:09.141-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Working Stiffshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-48335733007577525202009-09-05T14:02:00.349-04:002009-09-05T14:02:00.349-04:00Sorry, Jen, no music when I write. I consider it a...Sorry, Jen, no music when I write. I consider it a major distraction, only listen if I'm doing rote things. As far as rhythm goes in my writing, I'm not sure I'd call it that. If I have an idea that I want to get down on paper I guess I'm 'in the swing of the thing' while it is pouring out, but nothing like that happens if I'm starting at a page for inspiration.<br />Of course, I have no musical talent at all, didn't like music class at all, and can't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow, though I do sing to my grandkids for their sheer merriment. Quickly followed by, 'stop singing, grandma'.<br />I went to NYC to see the world, and I did fairly well. Do you miss NYC? I do, every day.<br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-22609342389498619552009-09-04T12:55:12.986-04:002009-09-04T12:55:12.986-04:00Thanks for commenting, y'all.
Yeah, JT is dis...Thanks for commenting, y'all.<br /><br />Yeah, JT is discussing music over on Murderati, too, isn't she? We didn't plan it, I swear. But hop on over there anyway; JT Ellison is a brilliant writer and a very nice person to boot.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01442754671445893599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-68472628959223972192009-09-04T10:14:44.326-04:002009-09-04T10:14:44.326-04:00Funny; there's a similar discussion over at Mu...Funny; there's a similar discussion over at Murderati today.<br /><br />I was trained as a musician, and I work at a rhythm and cadence in everything I write; they're key components of my voice. I'll leave things out if adding them corrupts the cadence I'm looking for. I've also been known to change words-- sometimes to a word my critique group doesn't like as well--because the "prefect" word doesn't fit the flow of what's around it, especially in dialog.<br /><br />I never edit to music, because I need to feel that rhythm. I do sometimes draft to music. My first person PI stories were often written with Bruckner, Mahler or Wagner in the background; my recent multi-POV writing sometimes has a jazz accompaniment. No conscious reason for either. It just worked out that way.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-58391413062988983532009-09-04T07:41:24.679-04:002009-09-04T07:41:24.679-04:00I've never thought of it in musical terms, but...I've never thought of it in musical terms, but, yes, I do hear the rhythm of the words. I usually pick it up when one of my sentences is too long and rambling. The sentence might be technically correct, but if the rhythm's off, the words trip over themselves. Like me when I try to dance. Heh.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-42870039729704916442009-09-04T07:30:58.740-04:002009-09-04T07:30:58.740-04:00Nice post, JB!
I think it's crucial to vary t...Nice post, JB!<br /><br />I think it's crucial to vary the rhythm of sentences. When I revise, or when I read someone else's work, that's one thing that jumps out at me. I'm not as conscious of it when I'm doing the actual writing, though.Joyce Tremelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498392016497131719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-52867871094298507782009-09-04T07:16:56.655-04:002009-09-04T07:16:56.655-04:00Jennie, hi. Great post. And yes, I absolutely '...Jennie, hi. Great post. And yes, I absolutely 'hear' rhythm when I'm writing and it's pretty obvious (to me, at least) when it gets broken through a bad descriptor or a part of the narrative. Luckily, if I sit still and think about it for a quiet moment I can usually pick it back up.<br /><br />The best parts are when the rhythm is so strong I can't type fast enough to keep up with it! I love it when that happens.martha reedhttp://www.marthareed.comnoreply@blogger.com