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.
The Past Is Not a Prognosticator of the Future
What is to come has a foundation in what has been, but our past does not preclude all future success any more than the great things that we may have done will determine that we will always do great things. Once a hero is not always a hero anymore than past failures mean that our entire life is doomed to failure.
Successful writers have often started their careers with a succession of rejection. When giving up is not a reasonable option, persistence and patience will often win out. There is no guarantee in this as there are no absolute guarantees about anything about goals we set for ourselves. For some, the whimsy of fate might lead to success without paying many dues. Timing and chance can play a role in success while connections with those in the know rarely hurt one's opportunity to make it big.
If I'm writing my memoirs then the past is vital for me to know. Otherwise the past is often meaningless to most people. A former celebrity might make the rounds with oldies tours or fan fest conventions, but so what? They can make a living based on something that they've accomplished in the past, but the meaning of that past has limitations. Some people care, but the great majority don't.
Legacy? Body of work? Name brand? What does it all really mean?
Maybe I've been reading too much Ecclesiastes. Or is that something you can ever read too much of?
Battle of the Bands Results
"Glory Days" vs "Candy Apple Red"
As I stated from the git go, my previous Battle was a somewhat risky move for me to pit the little known underdog Robbin Thompson against a mega rock star like Bruce Springsteen performing one of his biggest hits. Typically I think a match such as this can swing heavily in favor of the song listeners already know, but in this case Thompson's song was strong enough to persuade a slight majority to vote in his favor. This was a close race all the way with Thompson maintaining an edge throughout. In the final stretch it looked like Springsteen might take the lead, but "Glory Days" never quite overtook "Candy Apple Red". My vote just cinched the win.
For my vote it was an easy one. While Bruce Springsteen does a great job with his classic "Glory Days", in my opinion his song is weak on melody and mostly just shouted as opposed to Thompson's fine singing with good playing and harmonizing from the band. I find "Candy Apple Red" to be lyrically stronger with clever phrasing and nice referencing to iconic imagery of the early rock era. Production-wise the inclusion of some fun nods to do-wop singing and surf guitar add to the song's effect. Some voters saw this the other way around, but to me "Candy Apple Red" is a superior song. And besides, I prefer the playful optimism of Thompson's tune and some of you agreed on that.
Final Vote Tally:
Bruce Springsteen 13 Votes
Robbin Thompson 15 Votes
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Next Battle on Friday July 15th
My annual vacation road trip is coming up and I'll be traveling for the next couple BOTB posts, but I'll schedule mine ahead of time and do my best to make my rounds to other Battles in a timely manner. If I am late to yours be assured that I should make it eventually as long as I have internet access and in this day and age it is a rare thing not to have that access.
My next Battle will be themed in keeping with my travels. The song is one from the late 60's by a songwriter who wrote for the Carpenters as well as a number of other well known artists. You've probably heard much of his work by other artists, but it's likely you've never heard this song before. Hope you'll enjoy it.
Do you look forward to your future life achievements? What milestones in your past have been most significant to you? If you could go back to one time of your life what would it be?
