Why Writers Should Study "Act Natural"

I needed a book to read so I picked up actor Ken Howard's (film The White Shadow et al) a week ago and have been enjoying it immensely lounging in my hammock. Every nice afternoon I unscroll it and lay outside, reading and annotating in pen every book I read. I'm still in the middle of Books of the Century, selections from 100 years of New York Times book reviews, but needed a change. I try to only read books, articles, news and blogs that will stimulate and inform, rather than just thrill like my Jason Bourne past favorites. I'm too old not to be discerning with my limited time.

Anyway, Ken's book has and is enlightening, packed with real life examples of the points he makes, and 100% applicable to writers, despite being a book about speaking in public. Speaking in front of an audience is the number two fear of Americans, so as a would-be writer, hoping to do interviews, teach writing courses, sell my books and be a renaissance man, his words are ringing true on all levels. (The number one fear has become walking alone at night according to Time magazine's July 6 Double issue.) 

If I find the time I'll write a companion book titled Write Natural because Act Natural has hundreds of parallels to good writing, and, mainly, good truth-telling. For Ken's main mantra is to be oneself, in no matter what "role" we inhabit: single, married, father, mother, worker, neighbor, leader, actor etc. And that to me, is the essence of good writing - being truthful about and to oneself. To act believably, is to be yourself, with preparational research as your foundation.

To write what is believable, whether fiction or non, is to write well, and that means words chosen and actions shown must ring true. I have two shelves of writing, grammar and style books, and this will not be placed there when done. It's so good (if not a little wordy), it will remain my close companion in weekly travels while I absorb its wisdoms.

Here's a few examples from the book, with my inserts in parenthesis to show its transferability to writing:

  "I will show you how a master singer (writer) like Sinatra (Rowling) also used his (her) body, head, and his (her) heart to reach an audience." (p.11)

"For when everything works -- when the adrenaline, the words, and the charge from a satisfied audience all come together -- the result is an experience that even the most nonreligious actors (writers) ... can only describe as spiritual." (p. 22)

"The Zone is within the reach of public speakers (writers) as well. (p. 23)

"My aim is to help you develop an easygoing, conversational delivery (style)." (p. 36)

"When you practice (write) alone, do it out loud. Trust me. I know it may seem a little strange at first, but it makes a big difference." (p. 43)

Almost every page of Act Natural has clear, applicable points to aid any person become a better speaker, and any writer to become a better writer (if you read "writer" into his lines).

by Rodney Richards, Authorpreneur, Author of Episodes, A poetic memoir, about experiencing bipolar; and facilitator of numerous writing classes.

Act Natural is available on Amazon for $5.90 new, copyright 2003 Ken Howard, published by Random House

Giving Away your Rights

Just a few words
every writer, author, blogger, publisher, or copier 
    must know:

"_____________ Company grants you 
  a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, 
  non-transferable license 
  to access and make personal, 
  non-commercial use of the (Material) or its content 
and not to download 
  (other than page caching or unless otherwise allowed 
         by _______________ Company or permitted by law) 
or modify all or any portion of the (Material) 
  and its content.

This license does not include any resale or 
  commercial use of the Material or its contents;"

Content is King these modern times, always has been
      and it is not "free" although you'd never know
when you see company names 
      like Huff Post or Random House
and the writer's or author's name
      even if "House editors"
and the article title
      and date and time of pub

None of it is free
      not even from my source of choice
Wikipedia

All require attribution, and/or a fee, 
      for you to use
unless a critic...
      so criticize whatever you copy 
is my advice

Add your opinion of it.

Speak your mind and heart
      don't let it stand -- 
            alone

If that is what you must do 
      to save your assets and not get sued
in this U.S. and worldwide society
      litigious as in ubiquitous
all to make a buck
      not from their content,
but from your auth or 
      unauthorized use of it

More money to be made 
      in that than the creation itself
for Content is King
      and you won't get paid for it
but may get your name in print
      for whatever that's worth...

Asking Permission

Dick my boss told me decades ago

        "Easier to ask for forgiveness

              than for permission"

as we spent millions of

     dollars of

someone else's taxes

      without asking

only telling

Today authors jobs

       tough as nails

 'cause every word  or lyric's

        been hashtagged before

and our job to twist them

         to make our own

With 17 million books

       on Amazon today

over 300k published new

       annually

and that's just here

With tweets and captions and bon mots and sayings

       quips and quotes and sound bites galore

who could ever be sure

       it hasn't been said before

I can't

So Google is best bud, my pal, my friend

And when I find

      words from someone else

I want to ask permission

      really

But none tell you how

      not even a tweet

how to obtain

       a Right to Use

so I can make a few bucks

       using mostly mine

and fewness of their's

Writing letters to the Editor

       the Times called and asked

for sources –

       never did in past editions

Publishers and editors

       demand the same

every one

       before they'll print

commercially

When once found

       these original sources

only delay response

       perhaps emails back and forth

"How many words (do you intend to use)?

        and they have hidden magic price lists

they won't share

"Six bucks per copy

       for 3,000 words."

And I don't know

       if Mister King or

only Simon & Shuster

       keeps the dough

And the delay

       rather than money

kills the project

       unless self-published

So that's just what I'll do

       and to hell with you

who create deep bottomless

       hell pits

Sue my LLC if you

         care too

Original prose poem by Rodney Richards 7-4-15

Author's note: Based on true stories

Playing Fair with Music Lyrics

There's only one way

      to publish favorite lyrics

for money

      and that's critical review

according to Copyright Act

      section 107

What's said and used must

       be transformative

not merely derivative

        according to U.S. courts

If changing Woo Hoo, woo hoo hoo

        from the 5, 6, 7, 8s

to Wooo Whooo, Wooo Whooo

        that's merely derivative

But if saying "I never heard

        such a stupid thing as Woo Hoo,"

that's opinion

        which can't be challenged

Even tho

        I've probably called it out

once or twice hailing a friend

        but women seem to do that

more than men

        or is it "You Who?"

Whether publishing opinion

       for commercial gain

or not

So here goes, although

       admitting I hate

criticizing popular music or

       classic rocks favorites

Don't like callin' out

       musicians and singers

they work hard and good

        at what they write and sing and play

so deserve their

        sweat from labors

and box office proceeds

Sing along and hum and tap with

       Billy Joel and the

       Beatles and

Stones songs for three

Each free on MS Media Player

       every morn

But can't sell any, any, lyrics

      to make money for me,

that would be illegal

      would get sued for sure

because record labels and Tom Petty

       are ruthless

They sued Robin Thicke

       and Pharrell Williams

just to name two who lost

       over three stupid notes

to "earn" free money for

       lawyers and studios

Publishing one's exact words

      a big "No no"

causing loss of assets

      for sure

as other writers horror stories

      by Writers Beware shows

We're forced to ask some

       unknown or most popular

author or publisher for

       permission

Hard to get easily

      for all the hullabaloo and

          woo hoo,

these assholes cause

Original prose poem by Rodney Richards 7-4-15