"Don't listen to them. They're both wrong." And other reasons I love Steven Tyler
So yo. Yo. Listen up, dude. Listen up.
Sorry.
No.
Can't do it.
Right. Last night my son and I tuned in to American Idol, eagerly waiting for some inspiration from our man, Steven Tyler. There are only 4 contestants left now. And after tonight, 3. Which means these posts are numbered as well. I have to say, I'm going to miss hanging on Steven Tyler's every word. I will miss looking at my son after Steven says things like, "You made Gaga's yaya go lala" and wait to see if a.) he knows what that meant or b.) he will ask make me to explain. And I will miss the relief I feel when neither happens because he was too busy playing with the cat to hear what Steven said. *phew*
I will miss when he says things like, "You deliver a song like a blue plate special." [pause] "And I love the buckles on your shoes."
*sigh*
You deliver a song like a blue plate special? How does he come up with these beauties?
Seriously. I will miss him so much.
Although.
Did you know?
He has a BOOK out!
*wants*
Last night, my son and I were particularly excited to hear our favorite from last week, Haley Reinhart. Again, each contestant had to sing two songs. The first was supposed to be a song that inspired them. Haley chose Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." As we watched, we both had a sinking feeling that the judges were going to rake her over the coals. We even knew what they would say. It was a bad choice. It didn't bring out the "real Haley." It didn't showcase her voice. And blah blah blah. And that is exactly what they did. She looked even more hurt and disappointed than last week. Until it was Steven's turn. Or I should say, until Steven basically interrupted the other two because they just wouldn't stop. He even reached his arms out across the table as if he could block their words to protect her.
"Don't listen to them!" he said."They're both wrong. The audience heard it. America heard it. Don't believe them."
And Haley smiled a little. But it was still sad.
The rest of the night, I couldn't stop thinking about the brutality of this show. Every time Randy would scream, "You are in it to WIN it!" I wanted to scream back, "No! They're in it because they love music and they love performing!"
Because it's not all about winning it, whatever it is. It's NOT. And I really don't want that to be the message people take away. I was so happy when Casey said over and over during his "exit interview" that he felt like he'd won way back when he made the top ten. That every night was just a chance to perform and have fun. He seemed genuinely happy to have had that opportunity. That's what he was in it for. The joy. I really believe that.
Sometimes as writers we get so caught up in the business side of publishing we forget what we're in it for. When we're pre-published, sometimes we get caught up in making our first sale. We become so focused on that we forget about the writing. We forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt about the sale instead of digging deeper and working on our craft. When we're published, sometimes we get so caught up in sales numbers and reviews and which stores are carrying our books and which ones aren't that we forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt again. Instead of being proud of having a book out, instead of remembering the joy we felt when we got that first call with news of that glorious first offer, we become consumed with why Barnes and Noble isn't carrying our books.
Wherever we are on this journey, we all need to stop and ask ourselves, Why are we in it?
Why do we do this?
Why?
And I just know it's not why Randy thinks.
Haley chose to sing a song that inspired her. Maybe it wasn't the best performance in the world. But she chose that song because it meant something to her. It made her feel something. It mattered. And she put that first. And honestly? Even though she looked deeply disappointed in Randy and Jennifer's comments, you could tell she was still proud. And I am so happy. So happy that Steven Tyler spread his arms out wide and said, "Don't listen to them."
Don't.
We need to listen to our hearts. We need to remember why.
We need to let all that other stuff slip away, and be in it for the joy of escaping into the stories that have to be told. For the ones only we can tell. We need to be in it for the satisfaction that comes from digging deep and being brave enough to put words on paper. For the thrill that comes when the perfect turn of phrase we've been searching for all day suddenly dances across our screen. We need to be in it for the reader we imagine sharing the story with, who will someday write a letter to say she felt like we wrote the book just for her. We need to be in it for those things, not for the fancy prize. I really believe if we are, we'll win anyway.
I'm sorry. I know I get a bit sappy writing these Steven Tyler posts. They're almost over. :-)
But before I go, here's a little inspiration (and a smile) for those of you who need some protection from the haters—even if those haters are the voices in your head. This is me, reaching my arm across the table so you can't feel them.
Don't listen to them. They're wrong.
Don't let the haters keep me off my grind
Keep my head up I know I'll be fine
Keep on fighting until I get there
When I'm down and I feel like giving up
I think of you
Whip my hair back and forth...
Sorry.
No.
Can't do it.
Right. Last night my son and I tuned in to American Idol, eagerly waiting for some inspiration from our man, Steven Tyler. There are only 4 contestants left now. And after tonight, 3. Which means these posts are numbered as well. I have to say, I'm going to miss hanging on Steven Tyler's every word. I will miss looking at my son after Steven says things like, "You made Gaga's yaya go lala" and wait to see if a.) he knows what that meant or b.) he will ask make me to explain. And I will miss the relief I feel when neither happens because he was too busy playing with the cat to hear what Steven said. *phew*
I will miss when he says things like, "You deliver a song like a blue plate special." [pause] "And I love the buckles on your shoes."
*sigh*
You deliver a song like a blue plate special? How does he come up with these beauties?
Seriously. I will miss him so much.
Although.
Did you know?
He has a BOOK out!
*wants*
Last night, my son and I were particularly excited to hear our favorite from last week, Haley Reinhart. Again, each contestant had to sing two songs. The first was supposed to be a song that inspired them. Haley chose Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." As we watched, we both had a sinking feeling that the judges were going to rake her over the coals. We even knew what they would say. It was a bad choice. It didn't bring out the "real Haley." It didn't showcase her voice. And blah blah blah. And that is exactly what they did. She looked even more hurt and disappointed than last week. Until it was Steven's turn. Or I should say, until Steven basically interrupted the other two because they just wouldn't stop. He even reached his arms out across the table as if he could block their words to protect her.
"Don't listen to them!" he said."They're both wrong. The audience heard it. America heard it. Don't believe them."
And Haley smiled a little. But it was still sad.
The rest of the night, I couldn't stop thinking about the brutality of this show. Every time Randy would scream, "You are in it to WIN it!" I wanted to scream back, "No! They're in it because they love music and they love performing!"
Because it's not all about winning it, whatever it is. It's NOT. And I really don't want that to be the message people take away. I was so happy when Casey said over and over during his "exit interview" that he felt like he'd won way back when he made the top ten. That every night was just a chance to perform and have fun. He seemed genuinely happy to have had that opportunity. That's what he was in it for. The joy. I really believe that.
Sometimes as writers we get so caught up in the business side of publishing we forget what we're in it for. When we're pre-published, sometimes we get caught up in making our first sale. We become so focused on that we forget about the writing. We forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt about the sale instead of digging deeper and working on our craft. When we're published, sometimes we get so caught up in sales numbers and reviews and which stores are carrying our books and which ones aren't that we forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt again. Instead of being proud of having a book out, instead of remembering the joy we felt when we got that first call with news of that glorious first offer, we become consumed with why Barnes and Noble isn't carrying our books.
Wherever we are on this journey, we all need to stop and ask ourselves, Why are we in it?
Why do we do this?
Why?
And I just know it's not why Randy thinks.
Haley chose to sing a song that inspired her. Maybe it wasn't the best performance in the world. But she chose that song because it meant something to her. It made her feel something. It mattered. And she put that first. And honestly? Even though she looked deeply disappointed in Randy and Jennifer's comments, you could tell she was still proud. And I am so happy. So happy that Steven Tyler spread his arms out wide and said, "Don't listen to them."
Don't.
We need to listen to our hearts. We need to remember why.
We need to let all that other stuff slip away, and be in it for the joy of escaping into the stories that have to be told. For the ones only we can tell. We need to be in it for the satisfaction that comes from digging deep and being brave enough to put words on paper. For the thrill that comes when the perfect turn of phrase we've been searching for all day suddenly dances across our screen. We need to be in it for the reader we imagine sharing the story with, who will someday write a letter to say she felt like we wrote the book just for her. We need to be in it for those things, not for the fancy prize. I really believe if we are, we'll win anyway.
I'm sorry. I know I get a bit sappy writing these Steven Tyler posts. They're almost over. :-)
But before I go, here's a little inspiration (and a smile) for those of you who need some protection from the haters—even if those haters are the voices in your head. This is me, reaching my arm across the table so you can't feel them.
Don't listen to them. They're wrong.
Don't let the haters keep me off my grind
Keep my head up I know I'll be fine
Keep on fighting until I get there
When I'm down and I feel like giving up
I think of you
Whip my hair back and forth...
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