Friday Night Videos

One of my children intends to enter the Armadillocon Writer's Workshop this year (a great program to get into if you're a new writer interested in writing science fiction or fantasy). The problem, though, is that said child complained all their ideas spiralled out into epic sagas comprising tens of thousands of words, if not more. They simply didn't know how to write a self-contained story under the 5,000 word limit. So I sat down with them and watched, through the magic of YouTube, the vintage video of "Sylvia's Mother" by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. This song, written by the legendary Shel Silverstein, is a masterclass in telling a complete story in three minutes. There is so much information that is implied rather than spoken. My goodness, more information is conveyed by what is unsaid that all the lyrics combined. Of course, Dennis Locorriere's mourful delivery lifts the emotional impact into the stratosphere, but it's Silverstein's lyrics that give him so much to work with (interesting note: The song is autobiographical, about Silverstein's lost love, Sylvia Pandolfi. This song's like a puzzle box). I can't write that spare, or emotionally, or precisely, although I often strive for this level of mastery. I remain in awe of this song to this day, even if Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show is quite possibly the scruffiest, most disreputable-looking band in history.

When the song was over, my child and I talked for a bit, and they said that it sparked a story idea as we watched. Mission accomplished.

Previously on Friday Night Videos... ZZ Top.

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