This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

My Theory of Evolution ( #IWSG & #BOTB Results)


       I didn't start out my writing life as one of a million monkeys with a typewriter, but as a regular ol' kid with a number 2 pencil and some lined notebook paper.  No monkeys in my family tree as far as I'm concerned though a few of us have been known to monkey around...

The Insecure Writer's Support Group



Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog

Co-hosts for the November 7 posting of the IWSG are Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman--be sure to stop by their blogs to thank them.


November 7 question - How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

      Since I've been writing as far back as the third grade, my creative life has grown along with my life in general.   I began thinking in musical terms as I began writing poetry and songs.  I played violin in the school orchestra.   I learned to juggle and joined our family juggling act.  Experience has been my greatest teacher.  A curiosity about life and the world around me evolved into a quest to create

       Writing certainly did not set off my creative life, however writing became an integral part of my creative life.  The ability to express myself through written word opened up a whole new world of imagination, communication, and analysis.  I welcomed most writing projects in school when others dreaded the idea.  In my spare off-school time I would often turn to writing as well as reading. I imagined myself as a writer early on.

        Maybe it would be more accurate to say that my writing evolved in tandem with my creative life.  Writing has just been one part of the creative side of me.  It has been but one of the many things that I am.  


Battle of the Bands Results



        This most recent Battle put Michael Jackson against Willie Nelson with the old ballad "All the Things You Are".   From the outset I figured that Willie would pretty well out-distance Michael in the final vote count, but I wasn't concerned about a shut-out for this match because I was sure there would be a few who don't care much for Willie Nelson's vocals.  I was right.  No shut-out and actually not a horrible outcome for the late King of Pop.

        Since "All the Things You Are" is one of those songs that I like a great deal, I had been planning on using it for quite some time.  Finding the unique disco take by Michael Jackson cinched that choice as one for me to use since it was new to me and I quite frankly liked it.   Still Willie does the song the way I think it should be done and does it exquisitely.  I've got to join in with the majority and cast my vote for Willie.


Final Vote Tally

Michael Jackson       5

Willie Nelson           16


Next Battle of the Bands on Thursday November 15th

          I'm doing a special NANO tribute post for my upcoming Battle of the Bands face-off.   This one will be a bit quirky and a Battle that I think you'll have some fun with.

         
      Did you enjoy writing when you were in school?   Which of your talents have you honed the most in your life?   What would you most want to be known for at the end of your days in this world?  







56 comments:

  1. I love hearing about people who have been writing since they were kids. I'm one of those people who came to it much later in life.

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    1. Ellen, writing was almost like part of my play when I was young. If I was inside then reading, writing, watching TV, or working on my stamp collection were my favorite things to do. Seeing writing as a fun activity made it easy when it came to writing as school work.

      Lee

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  2. You had a lot of creative things going and writing just became part of it.

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    1. Alex, I think most of us have our own creative things that we do and one thing often relates to the other. I was a nerd and a lot of nerds write for fun.

      Arlee Bird
      Tossing It Out

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  3. Loved the read Lee also loved the result of BOTB.

    Yvonne.

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    1. Yvonne, this BOTB was one of my more predictable ones. I had little doubt that Willie would run away with the votes.

      Lee

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  4. Me too! On writing since I was a kid. Music speaks to most, except for one person that I ran across years ago. I don't remember who, but I do remember that they didn't like to listen to music. I don't even understand that. Music is meaningful in every way to me.

    Teresa

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    1. Teresa, I'm always befuddled by people who outright say they don't like to listen to music. To me it's almost like someone who says they don't like candy. Except I think music is not only a special treat, but an essential language that speaks to me directly.

      Lee

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  5. I always enjoyed writing projects in school, too.

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    1. L.Diane, I wish I had copies of the compositions I had to write for school and the essays questions on tests. They always seemed so good while I was writing them, but I guess I was having too much fun writing them.

      Lee

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  6. Hey, I finally voted for a winner. I mean, maybe not in yesterday's election, but in a Battle of the Bands online poll. So that's something.

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    1. Harry, I like my BOTB polls better than the political elections--they are happier places to be in my opinion.

      Lee

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  7. I started writing in second grade. My mom was my teacher, so I wrote stories to keep out of trouble. Enjoyed your post.
    JQ Rose

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    1. JQ, my mother used to tell me and my sister a lot of stories so she was a great inspiration to my writing life. I made up stories for as long as I can remember, but the first I recall actually writing down was a horror story in the third grade. I think I might still have it somewhere.

      Lee

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  8. As a youngster, yes. I suppose I enjoyed feeling creative. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line it's all but evaporated. I suspect my (near) career in journalism had something to do with that; I can't seem to break myself of the habit editing as I go along.

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    1. Myra, childhood is such an idyllic time for most of us that creativity is easily unleashed. Then real life takes over and creativity is often diminished by the facts that most all of us must face.

      Lee

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  9. My fourth grade teacher always encouraged me to read my stories to the class, and to write more stories for the pertinent classes. I often wrote stories (sometimes plays) for English and social-studies assignments all through elementary school.

    At the end of my days, I'd like to leave a legacy as a writer for all time, like Dante and Shakespeare. Centuries after I'm gone, people will still remember me and find inspiration in what I wrote.

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    1. Carrie-Anne, you have big aspirations that are attainable, but challenging. Keep at what you're doing and you can't say what might happen.

      Lee

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  10. Writing became an integral part of my creative life, too. I used to enjoy other creative outlets as a kid, but those have fallen to the side. I have thought about picking some up again for a bit of a reprieve when needed, though.

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    1. Chrys, it's good to have diverse interests. I'd say follow the money, but be a happy as you can in all that you do.

      Lee

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  11. During school years unto now, I have always been a writer and a reader. It is part of who I am.

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    1. Susan K, we are fortunate in our country to be able to pursue our dreams and interests and still have a good life.

      Lee

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  12. I loved writing projects too. When I was a kid, it tended to be research focused.

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    1. HR, I used to love reading the encyclopedia and looking for new words in the dictionary. I'm still like that in fact.

      Lee

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  13. Wow! LEE, that was quite a blowout. And I'm actually a bit heartened that it was, as I think I'd have been a little sad had that been a close contest.

    My own Battle was fairly lopsided, too, but I haven't even totaled up my votes yet. This has been like three Mondays wrapped into a single Wednesday here at work, and I've had no time for anything else... until just now.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'

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    1. STMcC, the outcome was no surprise to me as I knew I'd get a few votes against Willie, but not that many. Considering the visitors who usually show up to vote, if Michael had won this (or even came close) then I would have been shocked.

      Lee

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  14. Hi Lee!

    That your writing evolved in tandem with your creative life sounds perfectly fitting for one who has experienced as much as you have ;-) It's how well you weave all that creativity that is so inspiring!
    Before I could write (my own name) I was a storyteller from the seat of my backyard swing (much to the chagrin of family and neighbors). Everyone was grateful when I started school and learned to write my thoughts on paper. I might have been a closet journalist had it not been for the encouragement of teachers requesting that I share. I'm glad they did.
    Yay for Willie! Happy November, Lee!

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    1. Diedre, Sometimes I kind of wish that I'd gone into journalism, but then I'd have missed out on the things I experienced in life--whole different experiences instead.

      Lee

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  15. I like how you think. I guess with me, my craft matured as I did. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. Anna, mine seems like a logical progression since things in life don't just happen in a vacuum. We humans are creatures of diversity.

      Lee

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  16. So many people pour all their creativity into a limited area... that is why people like the Scott Brothers (Property Brothers) just amaze me...

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    1. CW, focus can certainly be a good thing if one wants to perfect an art or craft, but I get disinterested and distracted easily. I'd love to have that house flipping talent and ability.

      Lee

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  17. I don’t care for Willie’s voice at all but I’m glad he won. I always enjoyed writing and wrote creative writing stories in grade school which I still have. I’m creative with my cards and making scrapbooks but I hope to be remembered for helping people as best as I can. I don’t like when people are so down on themselves...life is worth so much.

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    1. Birgit, no point on being down on oneself. We are who we are so that's what we have to work with.

      Lee

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  18. I want to be remembered. I'm not sure what for. Of course for my novels, but I think even more than that I'd like to be remembered for caring, for being a good mother, and right now I wish I'd make enough $$ that I could donate a lot to good causes...

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    1. Lisa, it would be nice to be remembered in some way. I think the main way I'd like to be remembered in a good way is my kids and their kids and good memories they might have had that made their lives a little better.

      Lee

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  19. Writing sure just jumped in and joined the rest of your creative endeavors indeed.

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    1. Pat, maybe it's more like a river of life that carries everything along with its flow.

      Lee

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  20. Creative with every note, word, and ball in the air - master of creativity and inspiration.

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    1. Roland, if I get temporarily bored with one thing then I can always move on to something else for a while.

      Lee

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  21. Based on the many things I've read about you, I can certainly see how creativity has always been a part of your life. :)

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    1. Loni, creativity has always been a big part of my family life and I had a ton of very creative friends as well.

      Lee

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  22. I wish we'd have creative writing in school, but we had a grand total of 2 assignments (1 page each only) before I entered university. Absolutely no creative writing in high school. So sad!!
    I love this point, Lee... "A curiosity about life and the world around me evolved into a quest to create" - this is such a powerful statement!

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    1. Jemi, to me even essay or report writing is creative. I find essay questions on tests to be a fun challenge though a bit nerve-wracking as far as time limits.

      Lee

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  23. Not surprised at the BOTB outcome, but I'm glad you avoided the dreaded shutout. ☺ I think creativity is innate and you have further developed those skills impeccably! I was writing plays and poetry from a young age and always did well in English class.

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    1. Debbie D, Agreed! We all have our special talents. Sometimes we just have to dig for them and not let our fears keep us from using them.

      Lee

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  24. Yes I always loved writing in school, whether it was creative writing, a book report, or a research paper. My favorite was the one creative writing class I took in college. Wish I'd made time for more of those!

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    1. Melanie, I took some excellent creative writing courses in college that helped me a great deal and they were a lot of fun. I had to write stories and poems for a grade so that provided an incentive.

      Lee

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  25. Lee,

    Thanks for stopping by. It looks like I sided with the loser this time. I haven't done too well in most of the showdowns. There for a time in junior high I enjoyed creative writing but after that I don't recall if I liked it high school. It was until many years later that I started it up again but eventually I laid it down to not really get it going again. I don't know if I ever well at this point. Oh well...I'll see ya around sometime tomorrow or on Friday. Have a good evening, my friend!

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    1. Cathy, thanks for dropping by. You'll have another chance to pick a winner tomorrow. In my Battles there are really no losers as far as I'm concerned. Michael Jackson a loser? I don't think so.

      Lee

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  26. I remember kids groaning about having to do book reports in school, but I would get excited because I was constantly reading and they were easy and fun for me to do.

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    1. Tamara, I never had a problem with the book reports that were written. I wasn't thrilled by the occasional oral reports, but I managed about as well as anyone else.

      Lee

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  27. Your family had a juggling troupe? How cool is that!

    I've also written most of my life. In my case, I had to give up many creative outlets--like drawing--in order to focus on it. Only so much time in a day.

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    1. JH, a lot of fun memories from those juggling days.

      I often rue the inadequacy of hours in a day.

      Lee

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Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee