Michael Perry's Blog, page 9

Flubbing In Prine Time

Let’s say you are given the opportunity to perform a song by your favorite artist before him and a couple thousand strangers.

And then let’s say you muff it.

Then what?

Mike responds here.

The post Flubbing In Prine Time appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Promo Photo Outtake with Wren House

The author is either A) pensively awaiting the return of the wrens, or B) trying to remember where he left the keys to the office.

The post Promo Photo Outtake with Wren House appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #234 (ARCHIVE DIVE #3): It’s That Time of Deer

Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 234. This one’s available to paid subscribers only. However, if you’re curious, please email orders@sneezingcow.com and we will get you a couple free weeks on us. Every fourth episode or so is free to everyone. You can find those episodes in the archive found here. Free episodes are ones without the lock symbol beside them.

Click here to listen.

Howdy folks:

Welcome to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 234.

In this episode I head down to the pole barn and dig out a goofball essay I wrote in 1992 about how I wasn’t the greatest hunter ever. I had forgotten I’d even written it, so as I read it, I’ll be rediscovering it in real time right along with you.

Mike

The post Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #234 (ARCHIVE DIVE #3): It’s That Time of Deer appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Do You Still Write With a Pen and Paper?

I do nearly all of my writing on a keyboard. If I’m using a pen these days it’s usually to jot notes on a Post-It or a gum wrapper or a receipt, which I then stuff in my pocket and maybe work into an essay or book somewhere down the line. If I can read it, that is. And if I can read it, if I can remember what my point was.

The other time I’ll sit down with a pen and paper is when I’m trying to break something loose, be it a lyric or a concept or a scene or a character. I just start writing and don’t let myself stop. Just get the ink flowing and keep going. Eventually something useful comes of it. Even if it’s just one line in all those pages.

Having a disgusting old green chair and grandma’s avocado ottoman helps.

The post Do You Still Write With a Pen and Paper? appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #233: Bonfire of the Sanities

Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 233. This one’s available to paid subscribers only. However, if you’re curious, please email orders@sneezingcow.com and we will get you a couple free weeks on us. Every fourth episode or so is free to everyone. You can find those episodes in the archive found here. Free episodes are ones without the lock symbol beside them.

Click here to listen.

Howdy folks:

Welcome to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 233.

In this episode I revisit our time around the bonfire last night, which leads me to revisit a piece I wrote about a bonfire. The blurry picture below is from last evening, purposely blurry for family privacy but I think you can feel the warmth. That big ol’ maple was barely out of sapling stage when we moved here. Got married beneath it twenty-some years ago.

Mike

The post Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #233: Bonfire of the Sanities appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

The Platteville Community Theatre Presents Population: 485 on stage

Fired up to say yet another theater group bringing Population 485 to the stage. The Platteville Community Theatre will present two performances: Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 2 pm.

In the fire and rescue biz, we wish each other luck by saying, “Everyone goes home.” In the theatre business we say, “Break a leg!” So: Break a leg, then everyone can go home.

The performances are free, but donations to benefit the Platteville Volunteer Fire Department will be accepted.

Platteville Municipal Auditorium
75 N Bonson St.
Plattevile, WI 53818

The post The Platteville Community Theatre Presents Population: 485 on stage appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #232: Like Mother, Like Son

Welcome to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 232. This one’s available to paid subscribers only. However, if you’re curious, please email orders@sneezingcow.com and we will get you a couple free weeks on us.

Click here to listen.

Howdy folks:

Welcome to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 232. This one’s subscribers only.

In this episode I revisit a piece I wrote about my mom. She’s always been a very private person who didn’t plan to raise a son who wrote books and essays about her and told stories about her onstage. This one today I checked with her before it went to print back in 2009. She gave me the OK. I hope it conveys how grateful our family is to her. She’s been a rock and a light in so many lives.

Mike

The post Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #232: Like Mother, Like Son appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Truckers and Writing and Pivots and Canvas Rebel

What did truckers teach me about surviving as a writer? What’s a lesson I had to unlearn and what’s the backstory? When was a time I had to pivot, and what was that backstory? I’ve done decades of interviews, so I especially enjoy the ones that wander off the well-worn path like this one.

The post Truckers and Writing and Pivots and Canvas Rebel appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Penguin Productions Presents Population: 485 on stage at The Fharmacy in Lake Mills, WI

Warms my heart to know this story is still being told–and onstage, no less! Here’s to the original “Nobbern” and my old fire department, as told by Penguin Productions The Fharmacy Public House in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Break a leg, you all!

3 opportunities to see the play: Friday October 11, 18, and 25, respectively.

All shows start at 7PM an include a classic midwestern feast.

The Fharmacy Public House
203 N. Main Street
Lake Mills, WI 53551

Tickets for all 3 nights can be purchased here.

The post Penguin Productions Presents Population: 485 on stage at The Fharmacy in Lake Mills, WI appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Archive Dive: Courtin’ Country Style

Voice Mail Episode #231: Illustration from the first full-length magazine piece I ever sold, an essay about dating in the country. I discuss how it all came to be, how I started learning lessons about how the freelance life was gonna be in reality, and above all, how thrilled I was when the editor called. I also reflect on how my writing style—and my self—has changed or not changed over the decades and how I feel about that. And then I read the piece aloud (including a few asides on the fly).

Episode is available to paid subscribers only, but if you’d like to give it a listen, please email orders@sneezingcow.com and we will get you a couple free weeks on us.

Voice Mail site:
https://michaelperry.substack.com/Illustration by Gene Leisz

The post Archive Dive: Courtin’ Country Style appeared first on SneezingCow.com.