This is a thought-provoking essay, and I agree that Dylan had an amazing ability to put poems to music.
I am fortunate to have made writing my career, and I'm not famous. When I was in college, I had a great English professor who made us write and revise constantly. I loved the entire process, although the hardest thing for me was to create a first draft of an essay.
I've made my living writing articles for trade magazines, and even these articles tell a story. It's been a joy to enjoy writing as part of a career. I also wrote a book and am working on a book of poetry. Having people hear excerpts is generally helpful. And the Substack space is great for getting reader comments/feedback.
Absolutely! Lately I've been starting with voice notes which I turn into a transcript. It's easy to write my article/story/whatever off the voice notes. Good for you on hammering out a writing career. That's been my approach as well... make enough to keep at it. Fame is not what I'm in this game for. Thanks for the comment!
Walter, huh. So, when I'm polishing, I read every word out loud, then make Word read to me. I find ROL by Word the better test 'cause I can fake my way to "right" with pace and emphasis. What about you?
Yup. Then the fans scramble to find the bootleg versions of the original tape recording of what would be a famous song. Sometimes it's amazing how much like the original the first version sounds.
The limitations of poetry as a commercial format meant that, besides Dylan, music attracted others who also wanted to achieve wider appeal. The late Leonard Cohen is one example. He is best known to many for his songs and recordings, but prior and concurrent to that he published some award-winning volumes of poetry and two novels. The later works are known only to those in his native Canada and "in the know" beyond that, while his music continues to have universal appeal, so I'm thinking music paid him more than literature did.
Thanks for this encouraging advice
Hi Walter,
This is a thought-provoking essay, and I agree that Dylan had an amazing ability to put poems to music.
I am fortunate to have made writing my career, and I'm not famous. When I was in college, I had a great English professor who made us write and revise constantly. I loved the entire process, although the hardest thing for me was to create a first draft of an essay.
I've made my living writing articles for trade magazines, and even these articles tell a story. It's been a joy to enjoy writing as part of a career. I also wrote a book and am working on a book of poetry. Having people hear excerpts is generally helpful. And the Substack space is great for getting reader comments/feedback.
Absolutely! Lately I've been starting with voice notes which I turn into a transcript. It's easy to write my article/story/whatever off the voice notes. Good for you on hammering out a writing career. That's been my approach as well... make enough to keep at it. Fame is not what I'm in this game for. Thanks for the comment!
Voice notes sounds really useful to incorporate as part of a writing habit. Yes, fame is overrated.
Walter, huh. So, when I'm polishing, I read every word out loud, then make Word read to me. I find ROL by Word the better test 'cause I can fake my way to "right" with pace and emphasis. What about you?
I read it multiple times. It helps!
Songwriting:
Write, revise.
Compose, revise
Rehearse, revise
Record, revise
Mix revise.
Final product, review
Yup. Then the fans scramble to find the bootleg versions of the original tape recording of what would be a famous song. Sometimes it's amazing how much like the original the first version sounds.
The limitations of poetry as a commercial format meant that, besides Dylan, music attracted others who also wanted to achieve wider appeal. The late Leonard Cohen is one example. He is best known to many for his songs and recordings, but prior and concurrent to that he published some award-winning volumes of poetry and two novels. The later works are known only to those in his native Canada and "in the know" beyond that, while his music continues to have universal appeal, so I'm thinking music paid him more than literature did.
Yes, Cohen was excellent! I'm glad we have more options today!