Putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard; keeping your voice on the open air.
Music
All Motown all the time: Smokey, the Temps, Miracles, early Jacksons. Also Black Ivory, EW&F, Phyllis Hyman, Atlantic soul, Buddy Guy, James Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, Elmore James. And James Taylor, cause it's all about the lyric. Also, I'm privy to a staggering database of throwaway oldies--for example, Neil Diamond's "Shilo" and, uh, "Wichita Lineman." That's right, Glen Campbell.
You better ask somebody.
Movies
I have a 12-year-old. No longer am I subjected to talking donkeies, hoofin' penguins or loquacious animated bovines. Now it's angst-ridden pimply preteens who would think about sex all the time if they only knew what it was.
Television
It's turning us into monosyllabic zombies. Please stop. Pull the plug and write something.
Heroes
Toi and Cornelius. What they did is a miracle. Lucille. Gwen. Oh, and people who have actually finished their MFAs...
I traveled to Jamaica to see you, but i can't believe i have missed you the last few times you were in the Chi. I wont miss the next reading. You are my favorite wordwoman. Bless!
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