From word one, writers are told, “show don’t tell”. It’s a method of letting the reader see and feel the character’s emotions, their wants, their needs. It’s not an easy bit of craft to master since “telling” is so much faster – and easier – than showing. To ‘show’ means to get into the character’s skin. To feel what they feel and describe it in a way that will, hopefully, elicit that same feeling in the reader.

Show don’t tell. It makes sense in fiction but what about reality?

Sure, few of us would refuse flowers and candy on Valentine’s Day. And I doubt any of us would object to a gift and gushy card on our birthday. But… isn’t that a form of telling? Wouldn’t you rather wake on a morning other than Valentine’s Day or your birthday and find the laundry washed, dried and folded? Or the empty milk container rinsed, recycled and replaced by a full container with a fair expiration date?

When you think back on special moments, consider this… are they special because of what someone said to you or because of what someone did to you, with you, or for you… without being asked? It’s not that we shouldn’t say I love you, or I need you, or any other endearment, but that we should say them and show them, now, while we can, so that later, if events take away the opportunity to show those we love how much we love, they will already know.

I thought of this today as I drove my daughter to her volunteer position at a living history museum. I blasted the radio as I drove home alone, singing along with some classic songs. Then one came on that I’ve heard many times but didn’t ‘get’ until today. As a writer, I’ve learned a lot from songs – especially how to break a story down to its core. I’ve admired the way songwriters can tell an entire, passionate story of love and heartbreak in three minutes or less. Today, however, I learned something else… that showing the feelings of a character, or a real live person, takes much more than words.

I always use my laptop to plot and write my stories. It just makes sense to do so since I type faster than I write by hand. Also, the words never flow quite right on the first run and revising via computer is a whole lot easier – highlight/delete – than revising with pen and paper.

Still, there’s an attraction to a new blank journal that I cannot ignore. Something  about the crackle of a new journal’s spine as you open it and smooth the pages flat. Something about the flourishes, the blank space, the actual feel of it in your hands as you re-read what you’ve written there.

I still have journals from years ago – from my teens and before. I often look at them, read them, and reconnect with the girl I was. I remember her well. Though I’m glad to know a big part of her has been left in the past. Now, when I journal, it’s live and public – and often 140 characters or less – and not quite as soul-searching or revealing as it had been. That’s okay because I’m not sure I want to reveal myself the way I used to. I’m not sure I even remember how to be so open. Even to myself.

However, while journal-ing may not be a favorite pastime of mine, writing still is. Though it’s more than a pastime, for sure. And so, I bought a new journal, with a cover meant to inspire even the most stubborn muse. And I have a new perfume oil to compliment the image on the journal. Add to all that, the right music, and my muse will sing like she’s never sung before. I feel it. I want it. I’m ready for it.

Yes, music and scent. They create a mood. An atmosphere. A sense of being somewhere new, secret, mysterious. Where the muse is safe and free to create. Sure, I could sit at the computer and ‘think’ myself into another place but it’s not the same as being as immersed in it as possible.

The music is always the hardest part for me to select. I want something I enjoy, of course, but also something that fits the story I hope to write. That will enhance the mood, yet fade into the background. Something to help add dimension to the words, in ink, on the page.

The scent I’m using for this story is named perfectly, in my opinion. It’s from a company called, The Poison Apple Apothecary and they call it, Parlor.  I can’t get enough of the scent. I put a few drops on a cotton puff and place it in a glass bowl that sits beside me as I write. Lovely.

Poison Apple describes the fragrance this way: The heady scent of sweet pipe tobacco wafting through a large parlor with dark oak floors and imperial furnishings.

I wish I could dab a bit of it onto the screen so you could smell it for yourself.

As for my inspiring journal, it’s from Peter Pauper Press and it is simply gorgeous. Just look at this cover -

Isn’t it beautiful?

And now to the music. For this current story, I chose something seductive, something meant to lull me into the moment where a sultry summer night breeze carries these soulful and soothing strains…

I’d have you listen to it – in fact, I posted this sexy saxophone piece originally – but since then, the artist sent me a rather abrupt and threatening message demanding I remove the link to his music. So, rather than further distract or upset an artist with my tiny online presence, I’ve obliged. And I’ve chosen new music as a backdrop for my work since I need and enjoy a more positive vibe than this piece would, from here on, provide.

You know, being a writer can be a truly wonderful thing.

Sometimes.

Those who know me know I am an avid QUEEN fan – more specifically, I’m a Freddie Mercury fan. Now, what kind of fan would I be if I let today pass without acknowledging what just might have been Queen’s (and Freddie’s) finest moment? Yes, that would be their performance at Live Aid.

Twenty-five years ago today, Queen took the stage as one of many acts to help stave off famine in Africa. To this day, discussions about Live Aid include some reference to the quality of Queen’s performance. I, as a fan, can’t help but do the same. Their set was tight, high-energy and packed with some of their greatest songs. Freddie’s enthusiasm and connection to the crowd was undeniable and his voice, spot on. He wooed the audience and easily managed to have everyone clapping in unique rhythm to Radio Ga-Ga as if they were all there to see Queen and only Queen.

Perhaps they hadn’t arrived as Queen fans, per se, but certainly they left feeling that way.

And so, for your viewing pleasure, I bring you QUEEN at LIVE AID -

My thanks to Oberon1966 for posting these videos on YouTube for all of us to enjoy.

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QUEEN, for me, is a band fronted by the late, highly energetic, slightly shocking and ultra-talented Freddie Mercury.

Freddie’s presence filled arenas, stole the show from the other talented men in the band. Mention Freddie’s name and most people know his music – Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Somebody to Love and on and on. Mention the other band members by name and fewer people will recognize them, let alone know their compositions. Sad, but true.

QUEEN, as a whole, was a unique and amazing band. The four members worked together to make music that has stood the test of time… and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, Freddie’s been gone for nearly 17 years now. John Deacon, bass player, retired from music soon after, and Roger Taylor and Brian May have continued to tour with the QUEEN name and with another singer – Paul Rodgers of the bands Free and Bad Company.

Paul, in his own right, is a great talent. However, avid QUEEN fans resented him “taking Freddie’s place”, not that any one ever could. QUEEN + Paul Rodgers, as they called themselves, had a great run. They attracted the attention of old fans and new. They’ve brought the music of QUEEN out for live performances again. What QUEEN fan wouldn’t want that?

Of course, we want Freddie. But we can’t have him. Some fans have a hard time understanding that. Some fans feel Brian and Roger should simply give it up. Drop the band’s name and go on performing under a new name. Let QUEEN rest as Freddie rests.

Others, however, are thrilled to hear there might be a new QUEEN + in the works.

QUEEN + Adam Lambert.

copyright - Yahoo News

I’m an avid Freddie Mercury fan. Freddie’s flamboyant, over the top performances can never be outdone. However, truth be told, I wouldn’t mind hearing Adam sing some of Freddie’s songs. He could do it. He’s got the range and he’s got the guts. Adam with QUEEN just might work, in my opinion, because Adam is that kind of showman. He seems to enjoy prancing around on stage – much like Freddie, only not. He sings high and low notes with amazing ease. He can pump it up to a frenzy and take it down to almost lullaby bliss. He’s high-energy. Shocking. Non-apologetic. Young. Appealing. Controversial.

Sorry QUEEN purists, I think Freddie would be impressed. As would I.

Here’s hoping.