Things I Believe #1
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog – I know you’re busy, so this shows a wonderful commitment on your part in sacrificing some valuable time…..time that can be better spent watching reality shows or catching up on the latest episodes of Charlie Sheen and The Porn Stars. So while I have your attention, I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my personal beliefs. I believe that everyone thinks they can write. This is not true (there is some kind of prevailing thought that a bunch of monkeys locked in a room with laptops can bang out the equivalent of War and Peace). This is not possible – what is possible is that they could ghost-write the latest books attributed to the cast of Jersey Shore. It is also true that everyone can criticize and they often do, especially when it comes to the efforts of writers. Good writing is a craft and the best ones take the time to work at their craft, honing their skills, and fine-tuning their abilities. On the other hand, it takes no skill whatsoever to be a critic, and there are no shortage of critics ready to offer an opinion, no matter how blatantly ill-informed, mis-guided, or erroneous their facts. I believe that the Laws of Karma do not apply to writers, where talent-less hacks get book deals from large publishing companies while other more skilled writers toil away in anonymity, praying for one big break or one good review in a magazine or online literary journal. I believe that Johnny Unitas was the greatest football player ever. I believe that I've spent my life expecting people to behave in a certain way. I believe that when they didn't behave according to my expectations, I became angry, sad, confused and occasionally violent. As a result, I now believe my expectations are the real problem. I believe that everyone has this very same problem, and each of us needs to change our expectations. And I believe that every guy who came of age in the 1970’s still rolls down the windows and cranks up the car radio when “Radar Love” by Golden Earring comes on one of the classic rock stations. Once again, thanks for reading. Please be sure to come back again for more….
"Good writing is a craft and the best ones take the time to work at their craft, honing their skills, and fine-tuning their abilities."
ReplyDeleteI believe that too, Author Kevin Michaels, a feller who hones and shines and shines and hones. I believe the strong should survive that good music should always be a dial turn or magic click away and that laughter can bust the stupidity of barriers. I believe that I don't need to waste time on Snooki or the unsheen of Sheen - though I once wrote a write-in vote (or claimed to) of Martin Sheen for president. (I mean how many upstanding Jedidiah Bartletts does it take to set the world right?) ... I believe in goodness over crap and substance over surface.
Guess that's why I believe in you, Kevin Michaels. Thanks for leaving the welcome mat out to your Rant Room. OK if I come back from time and tiempo again to this secondhand blue wingback you have propped up in the corner?
Your funhouse hideout is kinda scary, but if the Bowery Boys amble over I'll feel safe and laughin' wit the best of Operation 79 and Slip and Satch and Chuck and Gabe - God, I loved Gabe.
Over and out Mr Michaels,
for now . . .
~ Absolutey*Kate
"I've been ridin' all night, my hands wet on the wheel...." < No Google required
ReplyDeleteChange your expectations but not your beliefs. I'll be back!
Expect nothing. You will not be disappointed if your expectations are accurate. You will be greatly surprised and pleased if your expectations were inaccurate. Embrace the void. Avoid embraces. Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Dry your hands.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to get that off your chest. You are a terrific writer.
ReplyDeleteDamn (not in a shy way) ... Har's tune is still ramblin' through me.
ReplyDeleteSo it's TRUE Mr Michaels? You actually LIVE in that FunHouse! You'd think Expectations would be like fun-house mirrors and Harry's soundtrx - they'd just slipslide all over!
~ Absolutely*Kate, returning because I heard there were refreshments to go with the rants
Well said, Kev.
ReplyDelete"A 'critic' is a man who creates nothing and thereby feels qualified to judge the work of creative men. There is logic in this; he is unbiased - he hates all creative people equally."
- Lazarus Long
Thanks all! Appreciate the comments, compliments, and feedback......come back often because there's a lot of rage and angst that will be spilling across these pages.
ReplyDeleteK
BTW- To quote Updike: "Critics are like pigs at the pastry cart."
Hi - Eleanor Roosevelt here:
ReplyDelete"Do what you feel in your heart to be right. You'll be criticized anyway."
Yes ... RADAR LOVE. But for me it's 'TWILIGHT ZONE' ...
ReplyDeleteAloha!
ReplyDeleteLook! Jodi's been lei'd!
ReplyDeleteNicely said!
ReplyDelete