Backyard show Sep 13; save Ahmed in Gaza; overcoming second verse writer's block
Hey folks,
Welcome back to another edition of Sharing Notes! Read online here.
Backyard show Sep 13
I haven't performed in quite a while due to long-COVID/fibromyalgia, so I'm quite looking forward to this: I'm opening for Zeo Boekbinder on their tour, alongside REVEL and Jessica Gerhardt. Tickets are sliding scale from $0-30. Masks required (N95, KN95/4). Details, tickets, and accessibility info here. I'll be playing a few cuts from my latest record and selling CDs if you wanna grab one. And Jess and I are gonna perform some duo stuff. (Btw, today's Bandcamp Friday—buy my music!)
Save Ahmed in Gaza
I recently became pen pals with a university student in Gaza named Mahmoud. Mahmoud cares for his sister's children, after his brother-in-law died in the genocide. Mahmoud's nephew, Ahmed, is now deathly ill with an undiagnosed virus which causes fever, lesions, and difficulty breathing. (I have to wonder if it might be COVID.) Ahmed's sister died of the same virus. The family is becoming more and more desperate for help as Ahmed's condition worsens. They are not receiving enough donations to cover his medical costs. Everyday they must raise over $200 to pay for Ahmed's medicine. Please consider contributing to the family's fundraiser here.
Overcoming second verse writer's block
Try writing a simple sentence, as you would speak to a friend, that expresses the thing you want to say or the story beat you want to tell. Once you know what you want to express, putting it into verse is much easier. Sometimes I'll write several verses and set the best ones in the best order. If you're really stuck, try asking, "What happened before?" Your first verse could actually be the second verse. Pat Pattison writes, "Just because you wrote a verse first doesn't mean it's your first verse." Get more second verse tips here.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!
Peace,
Arend
Listen to my music
Read past issues
Make a record with me
Take lessons with me
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