Saturday, February 25, 2012

Steven Tyler's Face

Even if you don't enjoy the show, "American Idol," you still probably know that Steven Tyler (lead singer of Aerosmith) is a judge. And what I absolutely adore about him, as a judge, is that he LOVES music. When he listens to an audition and hears a riff or a note that's amazing, he's got this specific look: eyes closed, leaned back, half a smile, sometimes with a nod. I love it, because it shows that he's soaking it up -- that something, musically, has struck him as special, spectacular. It's no longer just an audition. It's a musical experience that goes a little deeper, taking him to another place.

Example at the 2:10 mark here

And today, as I've been editing, I realize that THAT is the exact face I would love readers to make (well, except for the closed eyes) when they read my work. Not with every sentence, of course -- just that somewhere, in a phrase or a description, they're moved beyond "just a story." That, somewhere, a connection is established and they're taken to another place.

I don't know exactly how to achieve that "Steven Tyler look" in my readers, but I don't think there's a magic formula. And it's not something we should try to manipulate. But if we're truthful in our writing, if we listen to our inner writer's "voice," I think it's possible to get there...

5 comments:

  1. I love his face also. It is very expressive. Of course, I also got a kick out of him whipping off his clothes and jumping in the pool.That is another thing I like about being a writer...free to be who I am.

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  2. LOL, Jeanne - that cracked me up, too! Such a rock star thing to do....

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  3. i don't watch idol much, but i did immediately know the "look" you're describing! yes, i'd love if our readers had that someday!

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  4. I totally understand that "transcending moment" while reading. I love to read and get lost into the story, whether with a mystery, experiencing the anxiety of the character, or in a love story experiencing the passionate emotions. Those kind of books are hard to put down, and bring the reader back to the author's other books.

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  5. Well-said, Anonymous -- I totally agree! Thanks for posting!

    Heather - isn't "that look" of his great? He just gets lost in the music. Love that!

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