Sparks from the Fire

Snoopy, the famous dog, of Peanuts renown and brilliant creation of Charles M. Schulz, was famous, among many reasons, in particular for his writer’s block.  Who hasn’t giggled understandingly at the quizzical look on Snoopy’s face wondering what to write after his famous opening line “It was a dark and stormy night …” as he set out upon the writing of his novel perched upon his doghouse roof with his miniature typewriter?

We laugh because we so understand the moment.  It’s a moment that has happened to each of us as we set upon a creative task.  It is a problem of great renown for writers and creators the world over.  For most it’s very real and very much a mystery.  “Why, when I so want to create, does nothing come?  Where is the muse?  On vacation?  How do I get started?

Well, I’m here to tell ya’ that if you’ve suffered from this before, your problems are now over because writer’s block is simply not real.  It’s nothing more than a misunderstanding of the creative process.

A dear friend wrote me just the other day seeking help on just such a thing only he called it “writer’s cramp”.  No matter what you call it, cramp, block or just creative anxiety, it’s all the same big nothing.

Wikipedia states, “Writer’s block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some “blocked” writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers. Throughout history writer’s block has been a documented problem.^[1] Professionals who have struggled with the affliction include author F. Scott Fitzgerald^[2] and pop culture cartoonist Charles M. Schulz.^[3]It can manifest as the affected writer viewing their work as inferior or unsuitable, when in fact it could be the opposite. “

Writer’s Block

Interesting that Charles M. Schulz is one of the famous sufferers.

Causes: Again from Wiki, “Writer’s block may have many or several causes. Some are essentially creative problems that originate within an author’s work itself. A writer may run out of inspiration. The writer may be greatly distracted and feel he or she may have something that needs to be done beforehand. A project may be fundamentally misconceived, or beyond the author’s experience or ability.”

I say, “Bah!” (more…)

The Accidentals

Last night Christmas and the Holiday season came to NYC in the form of The Accidentals and Julia Wade.  The WFM Listening Room produced its fifth concert in its experimental laboratory.  What has evolved is a dedicated audience coming back again and again to hear good and great music simply presented.

We’re most happy to say that the experiment works.  Two standing ovations last night – the first for The Accidentals and the second for MS Wade – proved that people don’t need all the hoopla that often accompanies the musical performances of the 21^st century.  What they really want is just good music with inspired performances. (more…)

Recently I received a very interesting letter from a listener, one David Ring, regarding the new release of Jenny Burton’s CD entitled Released on Watchfire Music. It was from a fan of the music and asked a number of good questions. I sat down and wrote him back immediately. Later, after responding and reading back my answers, I thought it might be of interest to all of you.

In it, he took issue with some of the sounds on the CD and asked a number of pertinent questions that I found enjoyable to answer.

Here it is, Letter from David Ring, reprinted excerpts with my responses.

On Jul 31, 2009, at 12:35 AM, David Ring wrote:

Dear Peter,
There is some wonderful music here. I will definitely be buying the CD. In the meantime I’d like to give you some feedback on my web experience of this music. I jack the sound through my stereo boom box rather than use headphones. He also later admitted that, “I didn’t mention that (my) boom box is practically an antique with two cassette tape decks.”

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FROM: Joseph, Kenya, Africa

“I think music is a universal language and the Julia’s “Alabado sea Dios” speaks to me very deeply. I don’t understand a word in Spanish, but the music is WOW! I received this CD when my country, Kenya, was undergoing a very unharmonious and unhappy time.

I believe her voice echoing over the seeming chaos has been, and continues to be a most healing effect to this city just as it has soothed and healed me. This particular CD is most profound. I would like to thank Julia again and again and again.

Thanks! Asante sana Julia!”
(signed) Joseph.

How can this be? A CD sung entirely in Spanish finds its way to Kenya, Africa and moves and inspires this gentle man, Joseph, who speaks not a word of Spanish.

What is it about music that touches the heart, fires the imagination, brings us closer to God, reconnects us with our spiritual selves?

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