The Way of Cyrus

Yes, another post where I find applicable writing topics inspired by the reality TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance” (SYTYCD) and the one contestant who’s captured my attention, Cyrus.

They call Cyrus’ style, “Animator” or “Animation” — he’s a robot in his style of dance. He’s never had choreography before, is completely self taught.

This week, the dancers were assigned their partners. Cyrus and Eliana, a ballet dancer, were paired. They had to do a Broadway number from the musical, “Hairspray.” Was it the most complicated dance routine? Hell no. Was it entertaining? Hell yes. Here’s the YouTube video of it, the actual dancing starts at 1:26.

And the one thing the judges said, which I felt as though I saw, was that Cyrus and Eliana gave it their all. They “danced their hearts out.” It wasn’t merely passion or expertise, but heart.

In comparison, the most plastic pair on the show had the most plastic routine, a jazz number — Alexa and Daniel. One of the judges commented on how there’s a difference between pasting on a smile and actually connecting and giving your heart. Here’s the YouTube video of their dance, the actual dancing starts at 1:35.

If you compare the jazz number with the Broadway number, it’s obvious. The jazz dance is very, very technical and complicated, and has no soul. The Broadway number isn’t that complicated, but is danced with such heart.

And so to bring this back to writing — there’s that old saying about how writing is easy, just open a vein and bleed on the page. And in some ways, that’s right. You have to have you heart in it. If it’s just pretty words, the reader can tell. Write your heart out.

(One more example of amazing dancing, with heart, dancing starts at 1:30.

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