Someone asked me the other day why did I take so much time and energy to write the articles that I put up on Facebook. And I gave it some thought. To begin with, I'm a song writer. And I mean a real one folks. I've paid bills with royalties, and that makes you a professional. No song writer begins with a contract and secure income. Novices call it, "paying you dues," but those of us in the business call it, "learning your chops." You begin by writing with absolutely no hope of ever selling a song. However,the first time a total stranger buys one of your records you become a professional. Then, if you are smart, you tweak your methods, learn your chops, and more songs sell, or are recorded by other artists. I have done both of those things.
You begin by mimicking other hit song writers, but you soon learn they already have a Willie Nelson, and there is no room for one more. If you have talent, a style will develop. This is human nature. You abilities at phrasing, delivery, and poise will solidify into a "sound" that's unique To you, and you alone, and if enough people identify with that sound you will move up the ladder. Early on I hated my voice. But after several records I began to culture that voice, to actually imitate myself, and the Character Weird Wilbur was born. I couldn't sell a love song to save my soul, but I could get on a stage in a Honky Tonk and I could make people laugh! My first royalty was a Fender guitar. I have played for whiskey.
Once you become a paid writer you are infected. You are no longer looking for that one big hit, your only concern is turning out more and more product, and with each one you become sharper and sharper. If you are intelligent you will realize that writing prose is just like writing a song. It has to be balanced, clever, it has to "sing." And, oh yes, you have to have something to say! Many times, while writing anything, I will stop and ask myself, "What the hell am I really trying to SAY here?" You see, that's the difference between a pro, and an novice. The novice will struggle to try to be like his or her favorite artist whole ignoring the content of what's coming out. The label can be perfect, but if there are no beans in the can you will not sell!
So why the Facebook thing? Well, it's not ego, so don't go there. I hated the "status" thing on Facebook, and that's why I didn't take it serious for so long. No one gives a crap about what you had for breakfast this morning. I began to compose a longer status. I figured that an interesting article had mire value than telling everyone you had a ham and cheese for lunch. Then, as people commented on my articles, I began to scan the news, look at things other people had written, and I wrote articles on those things. I like to write. It's that simple. And I don't care if I get a Ton of "likes" or just one. If I communicate with only one thinking person that's good enough for me. I have a few Facebook friends, but I have a select few who consistently read what I put out and I value their thoughts because these are thinking people.
Also remember about chops. As you write more and more you develop. I admired Dick West when I was younger, but I didn't borrow his style, just his audacity. As I became "elderly" I discovered the gift of audacity. That transcends political correctness, and all the other "cool" things that so many people seek these days. Truth is truth. Also a little respect is required. I don't go for shock value, using humor instead. I also dodge poking jabs at people's sexual orientation, religion, or political ideas. That is for the most part. I have been everything from a Fundamental Baptist to investigating Islam, and I have come to the conclusion that none of them really have anything figured out. Am I an Atheist? Nope! I believe in Jesus Christ. I haven't found anything that guy said that I disagree with. Did he come back from the dead? I don't know. I'll ask him when I see him. If he did we will have a lot to talk about, if he didn't it is a mute point. He never did me no harm. I keep my true beliefs to myself. I have to live in this body and there isn't any room for anyone else. Same goes for subjects like gay marriage. I have gay friends who think I'm a hoot because I'm so straight. I don't care what they do in their private lives, and I neither support nor condemn them, but calling someone a "queer" does not endear you to anyone but a few guys in a bar in Culman, Alabama!
One will never get rich placing articles on Facebook. That's a given. And my idea of using it for a magazine may never catch on, but I don't care. I really have to give a lot of credit to my sister Deidre, for steering me away from family issues and broadening my scope. My sister was my dad's pet who always got the last pork chop, and I've never forgiven her that, but she gives good advice. I will continue to put out articles (notice I don't use the word "status") and from the feedback I will write more books, songs and articles. And my reward? When you leave this world you only leave one thing. Your thoughts, deposited in the minds of people who interacted with you, and I guess, that is a form of immortality.
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