Funny how the earworms drive us crazy yet, in doing so, reveal the power of lyrics and a song to connect with each of us in our own personal way. It feels like the ultimate for word lovers, for the writer to achieve that. Always bringing the wisdom here, Charlotte, and I love the idea of writing down five things.
I find it difficult to write most all of the time 😆, but yes, under stress—if it’s not a chronic stress, of the nagging daily kind—my writing mind tends to lack focus. I can certainly identify with a couple of your Writing Essay camp topics (and my heart goes out to you re: your dog, of course).
However, I have to say, reading your post just now, I’m experiencing a literary synchronicity. I’d never heard of earworms before. And now, I’ve read your wonderful post, and just last night, I started reading a short story, “Worms,” by the Irish writer Roddy Doyle which is about this very thing! Amazing! I’m going to look more into this phenomenon! Thank you for writing about it! Deb
So I googled “Worms” by Doyle to see if it happened to be online - no luck. But I see it’s in his book of short stories, Life Without Children. Is that what you’re reading and, if so, do you recommend it? I’m always looking for a good book! I find it hard to believe you have a hard time writing! I certainly have an easy, pleasurable time reading them! Congrats again on the Wigleaf Longlist! XO
Yes, that story is in Life Without Children, and yes, I love it! All the stories have a Covid background. His other collection (that I have) is Bullfighting, and it too is excellent. I’d highly recommend either one (or both!).
I used to have a harder time starting to write. But now, I seem to have a much more difficult time finishing a piece of writing. I don’t know what that says about me, but all I know is that somewhere along the line my process changed. 😂
Thank you (again!) for you sweet words re: my writing and Wigleaf longlist. I absolutely feel the same way about your work; I feel we have very similar aesthetics, and subject matter. And say, I’m going to buy the Best Small Fictions (title?) of 2022 and 2023, both, I believe, have your stories in them. I’ve been meaning to get them for a while now. Happy writing! Deb
Thank you so much for the subscription to Patti Smith’s Substack! I love her work, have several of her books (which now, I’m returning to thanks to you!). Looking forward to reading her words! Again, many thanks, Charlotte! 🤗
I have several of her books, too, and just finished rereading M Train. I’ve been reading her Substack for a couple of years and just love it. She’s so down to earth and never forces her opinions on her readers like so many celebrities do. I find her posts very inclusive, kind, creative, and soothing. I hope you like it, too! XO
I’m already loving it! Yes, agreed about her down to earth approach. And … I’ve pulled her books out again — time for another re-read (re-reading is rediscovering for me, since unfortunately I tend to forget books as soon as I’ve read them 😆). Thanks again!
Uggh. Earworms are the absolute WORST. I've had them for more than seven days at a time. All day! There are certain songs that I just must avoid now. I can't even type the first band's name because one of the songs started coming to mind. I've always had to deal w/ stress, the main kryptonite for people w/ MS. But I only started suffering from them in the past couple of years? I started to think that the severity might have to do with my MS.
I LOVE, love music but have found that when I get off work, I must either listen to the news or listen to jazz (which I love) perhaps because it is harder for the tune to stick.
P.S. I've read one "cure" song is Led Zeppelin's, Kashmir. Another, Happy Birthday. I usually hum the first one when I feel an earworm coming on.
Ugh, the worst! These 2 songs went on for days, too. It was nuts. I'm so sorry you have to deal with it! Thank you for the "cure" songs - I'll try them next time. Thank you for reading, Tiffany. XO
Charlotte, I don't know about earworms but it sounds horrible. I know it would not be a productive time for me, either. When the body goes crazy, I just stop for a while until things clear up. Lots of Love.
Funny how the earworms drive us crazy yet, in doing so, reveal the power of lyrics and a song to connect with each of us in our own personal way. It feels like the ultimate for word lovers, for the writer to achieve that. Always bringing the wisdom here, Charlotte, and I love the idea of writing down five things.
Thanks for reading, Gina. Writing five things has turned out to be a starting point to pieces down the road for me. I recommend it.
I find it difficult to write most all of the time 😆, but yes, under stress—if it’s not a chronic stress, of the nagging daily kind—my writing mind tends to lack focus. I can certainly identify with a couple of your Writing Essay camp topics (and my heart goes out to you re: your dog, of course).
However, I have to say, reading your post just now, I’m experiencing a literary synchronicity. I’d never heard of earworms before. And now, I’ve read your wonderful post, and just last night, I started reading a short story, “Worms,” by the Irish writer Roddy Doyle which is about this very thing! Amazing! I’m going to look more into this phenomenon! Thank you for writing about it! Deb
So I googled “Worms” by Doyle to see if it happened to be online - no luck. But I see it’s in his book of short stories, Life Without Children. Is that what you’re reading and, if so, do you recommend it? I’m always looking for a good book! I find it hard to believe you have a hard time writing! I certainly have an easy, pleasurable time reading them! Congrats again on the Wigleaf Longlist! XO
Yes, that story is in Life Without Children, and yes, I love it! All the stories have a Covid background. His other collection (that I have) is Bullfighting, and it too is excellent. I’d highly recommend either one (or both!).
I used to have a harder time starting to write. But now, I seem to have a much more difficult time finishing a piece of writing. I don’t know what that says about me, but all I know is that somewhere along the line my process changed. 😂
Thank you (again!) for you sweet words re: my writing and Wigleaf longlist. I absolutely feel the same way about your work; I feel we have very similar aesthetics, and subject matter. And say, I’m going to buy the Best Small Fictions (title?) of 2022 and 2023, both, I believe, have your stories in them. I’ve been meaning to get them for a while now. Happy writing! Deb
Thank you so much for the subscription to Patti Smith’s Substack! I love her work, have several of her books (which now, I’m returning to thanks to you!). Looking forward to reading her words! Again, many thanks, Charlotte! 🤗
I have several of her books, too, and just finished rereading M Train. I’ve been reading her Substack for a couple of years and just love it. She’s so down to earth and never forces her opinions on her readers like so many celebrities do. I find her posts very inclusive, kind, creative, and soothing. I hope you like it, too! XO
I’m already loving it! Yes, agreed about her down to earth approach. And … I’ve pulled her books out again — time for another re-read (re-reading is rediscovering for me, since unfortunately I tend to forget books as soon as I’ve read them 😆). Thanks again!
Uggh. Earworms are the absolute WORST. I've had them for more than seven days at a time. All day! There are certain songs that I just must avoid now. I can't even type the first band's name because one of the songs started coming to mind. I've always had to deal w/ stress, the main kryptonite for people w/ MS. But I only started suffering from them in the past couple of years? I started to think that the severity might have to do with my MS.
I LOVE, love music but have found that when I get off work, I must either listen to the news or listen to jazz (which I love) perhaps because it is harder for the tune to stick.
P.S. I've read one "cure" song is Led Zeppelin's, Kashmir. Another, Happy Birthday. I usually hum the first one when I feel an earworm coming on.
Ugh, the worst! These 2 songs went on for days, too. It was nuts. I'm so sorry you have to deal with it! Thank you for the "cure" songs - I'll try them next time. Thank you for reading, Tiffany. XO
Charlotte, I don't know about earworms but it sounds horrible. I know it would not be a productive time for me, either. When the body goes crazy, I just stop for a while until things clear up. Lots of Love.
Good advice! Thanks for reading, as always, dear Susan.