A Song for Every Step of the Writing Process

The title of this post might lead you to believe I’m going to give you a writing playlist, but I don’t listen to music while I write. I can’t. It’s too much of a distraction. However, there are always songs in my head, usually of my own making. Today, that song goes something like this:

“Revision … revision!”

daaaa dum

“Revision!”

In case you can’t tell, that goes to the tune of “Tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof. And lest you think that revision weighs heavily on me the way tradition did on Tevye’s daughters, let me reassure you that I could also be singing “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it!” Because I’m so ready to dive into my revisions.

And this isn’t the only stage of the writing process for which I have songs running through my head. They are constantly popping in. I think I’ve shared a couple of them before. There was the Frozen-inspired “Let It Go,” also related to revisions. I know at the time I had actual words to go with this, and I’m pretty sure I emailed them to someone, but I can’t find them anymore. Oh well. That probably means they aren’t meant to be posted here :).

I know I’ve mentioned this one before–it’s the ever-hopeful “Someday an agent will call” to the tune of “Someday My Prince Will Come.” That’s my querying jam :).

My first draft ditty is much more ominous. I really don’t have a song for that because drafting doesn’t make me happy. It’s more like the two most dreaded notes you ever hear in music–you know, the ones from the Jaws theme.

Anyway, you probably all think I’m crazy now. I come by it honestly. My dad is a music professor and sang all kinds of things when I was a kid. Actually, he still does that. And I’ve passed it on to my kids. My daughter, in particular, makes up all kinds of songs. Someday she’ll probably switch to singing them in her head the way I do, but maybe not.

For now, I’m going back to my “Revision …. revision!”

Responses to “A Song for Every Step of the Writing Process”

  1. Rebecca

    I knew it! I caught the Fiddler reference before you said so. We make up songs a lot around here too. Recently I caught myself thinking “Star Waaars….Star Trek!” also to a Fiddler on the Roof song. Guess which one!

    Happy revision!

    Reply

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