“I Can Name That Theme in 3 Notes” January 6, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Mindfulness, Music & Dance, Word Play.comments closed
Do any of you remember the show, Name That Tune?
From Wikipedia:
Name That Tune is a television game show that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs. Premiering in the United States on NBC Radio in 1952, the show was created and produced by Harry Salter and his wife Roberta.
Part of the show involved a “bidding war,” of sorts. Contestants would declare, “I can name that tune in 7 notes!” Their opponent, feeling confident, would claim, “I can name that tune in 6 notes!” And so on.
Some songs, especially the classics, are readily recognizable in 3 notes.
By way of example, Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty ~ Baker Street ~ A Timeless Classic.
Another example ~ Dream On, by Aerosmith:
What do classic songs and Name That Tune have to do with blogging?
Themes.
Blogs with a consistent and identifiable theme tend to attract an audience of “repeat readers” who view that theme as worthy of note ~ Branding 101: How to Promote Your Blog Like the Big Guys Do.
Now, one way to do that is to try to figure out WHO is in your audience and then attempt to discern WHAT they want to read about.
Wow! That sounds tough!
As we discussed in Our Field of Dreams:
Writers are admonished to consider their intended audience in choosing what to write about and how to present their thoughts.
But how does a writer know who will be in the audience?
Most times, they don’t.
If a writer doesn’t know who’s in the audience reading their words, how can they accommodate the audience’s divergent views on life and love and the pursuit of happiness?
Most times, they can’t.
Hmm . . . what to do?
Well, let’s take another look at Our Field of Dreams:
Life is our Field of Dreams . . .
Whether or not something I write resonates with a given reader depends on the reader. If I write honestly, my intended audience will appear while those who are not intended to be in my pool of readers will drift away.
When we are enjoying the journey, we stop worrying about finding our intended audience ~ we trust that our intended audience will find us.
That sounds infinitely easier that trying to read the minds of potential audience members ~ just write honestly, from the heart, and wait for YOUR audience to appear.
Cool.
So, back to the issue of themes.
Can you name the theme of SLTW in 7 notes?
Less?
How about 6? Or 3? Or even 1?
Let’s look at the categories listed: writing, humor, nature, inspiration, life balance, animal welfare, spirituality, books, movies, parenting, pets, gratitude, happiness, frugal living, health & wellness, creativity, food & drink, etc.
What do the 35 categories used on SLTW have in common?
At first glance, not much.
But as you read through a few of the posts on SLTW, you may start to see an underlying theme emerge ~ one of mindfulness, awareness, acceptance, and seeing things as THEY are, not as WE are.
Most posts encourage readers to think for themselves, to examine some of the “truths” floating around . . . to see if they are true at all.
I can name that theme in 3 notes: Be. Here. Now.
Or, to quote one of The Wise Men of Our Age: Just. Be. Yourself.
I can name that theme in 2 notes: Just Be.
Or, to use Sandra’s terminology from Always Well Within: Simply Be
I can name that theme in 1 note: Authenticity
Or Freedom.
Yeah, Freedom is good.
No Rules. Just Write!
Quotes to Ponder:
He who trims himself to suit everyone else will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull
Trust yourself and you will know how to live. ~ Goethe
Related posts: The Meaning of Freedom (Woman Wielding Words)
It’s Teetotaler . . . Not Teatotaler January 6, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Word Play, Writing & Writers.comments closed
Maggie (Madly Writing) wrote an amusing post yesterday, Why do These Words Exist?
Her post questioned the existence of nine words, including: teetotaler, chill, blog, and lollygag.
To see the rest of Maggie’s list, and her rationale for excising these words from the English language, swing by Maggie Madly Writing.
Tip: While there, see if you can catch her post on awesome words.
Anyway, as I told Maggie, the word teetotaler doesn’t bother me . . . except when people use it to mean that they drink tea, but not coffee.
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve had a conversation along the following lines:
Someone I’ve just met says, “I’m a teatotaler.”
I raise my eyebrows, “You are? You’re drinking a glass of wine.”
“Oh, I drink wine, but not coffee.”
“Doesn’t teetotaler mean someone who abstains from alcoholic beverages?”
“No. Tea-totaler means someone who drinks only tea in the morning, not coffee.”
“Oh. Want a refill on that drink then?”
“Sure.”
“How about a Kahlua and Cream?”
Related posts: Which Witch Ate Eight Nome Gnomes? * A Touch of Sarcasm * An Awesome Terrific Awful Terrible Day
Spirit Lights The Way 