Writers and writing students alike know that an integral part of the "writing process" consists of activities that are loosely related to writing that may not move us any further toward the completion of whatever project we are currently working on, but usually involve a writing utensil, a computer, perhaps a book or two--you know those things to make it look like we're actively writing (both to others and ourselves) even if we aren't. Being the good stewards of writing and scholarship that we are in the WR, we can't condone engaging in these activities instead of ones you will need to in order to generate your draft (prewriting, research, actual drafting and revision, editing, etc.) or devoting so much time to them that you don't have enough for those pesky ones listed in parentheses, but we do know that from time to time you need a break from the task at hand in order to let yourself and your work breath. Time and space away from your work can sometimes give you the distance you need to either gather energy to stay with the project you are working on or to gain the perspective to see/solve a problem you are having. To that end, this post provides you with a a few musical selections--about writing of course--to occupy your time away from the page.
Most of us, well at least those of us of a certain generation, are familiar with the Schoolhouse Rock songs from Saturday mornings of the 1970s. And in case just the mention of them has you longing for a lazy morning in your jammies with a bowl of Super Sugar Smacks and nothing more planned than watching Justice League cartoons, I've included two of my favorites for your viewing and listening pleasure:
By the way, did you know that in addition to these favorites there's a whole slew of songs from the pop/rock genre that deal with writing? Chris Coplan has complied a list of what he says are the top ten songs about writing on the Consequence of Sound. You can access the list, read commentary about the songs, and watch videos of them at http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/10/list-em-carefully-top-10-songs-about-writing/. And for those of you who thought the music video was invented when MTV was launched, check out number four on the list. Enjoy the songs and let us know if you have any songs you think should have made the top ten.
Finally, if you subscribe to the theory that inantimate objects come alive when no one is around (or if you're a skeptic) check out this video about what happens once the bookstore closes for the night.
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