RANDOMNESS
I was watching a documentary on Netflix the other day, The Pharmacist, a powerful tale of one man who wanted answers about the shooting death of his son during an apparent drug buy in New Orleans. At one point the audio captures the anguished ramblings of mother and father as they come to grips with the death of their beloved son, and I have to tell you, you would have to have a heart of stone not to be touched by that one scene. I was in tears as I listened to the raw pain in their voices.
As a writer, that audio was an inspiration for me. As a writer, it is my job, through the written word, to capture that kind of angst.
It is a formidable challenge for sure! I fail as often, if not more, than I succeed, but the times I do succeed are a high unlike anything I have ever experienced. I imagine it is the same for a song writer or an artist or anyone else dabbling in the Arts.
I was listening to the beautiful song “Vincent” by Don McLean. The same reaction, tears, and absolute admiration, silent applause for a song writer hitting a home run with one mighty swing of his pen.
The painting by Munch, The Scream, is one more example. It is impossible for me to see that painting without feeling the helplessness inherent in that painting . . . and some of the photographs by Dorothea Lange of people trying to survive during The Great Depression . . . there is one photo of a woman feeding her baby, the woman showing on her face the absolute gravity of the situation she is in . . . it is brilliant!
THE POINT
I guess the point is this: The Arts are vitally important. They provide a window for us all to see the Human Experience, and as a writer I am very proud to be a part of that effort, and I hope you are as well. You may never be famous, but what you do is important!
Keep on keeping on!
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
You can find my memoir, “And the Blind Shall See,” on Amazon, and if you are in need of a writing coach, email me at holland1145@yahoo.com. $50 for one month of individual instruction . . . you will not find a better price.
REVIEW
A review about my memoir which touched me deeply:
“I have been blessed to know Bill since 2003. I was blessed to meet some of his family, including his Mother, and he was there for me when my Mother passed away. His story is brutally honest. This is not fiction….just the story of a man’s life thus far. If your life is perfect, this may not be a story for you, but read it anyway. If you’ve hit a bump or two over the years, or are going thru some bumps now, by all means, you need to read this book. You are welcome to my copy, I’ll get another. We all go thru similar stuff, and it is truly a blessing to read how others navigate this journey. Truly from his heart, which I believe is the only way Billybuc would have it…..Peace and love, my brother. Thank you for being “you”.”
The book is called “And the Blind Shall See,” and if you purchase it, I thank you, and I hope you find something in it which speaks to you.
Have a great week!
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, Bill loved the review above for your memoir and I also agree as writer’s we need to paint the picture thoroughly with our words. So, you truly said a mouthful here today. Happy Tuesday now and have a great one 🙂
Thanks so much, Janine,and Happy Tuesday to you as well.
Yes, indeed I agree with both you and Janine. I’ll see if I can find The Pharmacist on Netflix.
Such a beautiful review.! Have a wonderful week.
Thanks so much, Susan! I think you’ll like The Pharmacist…one man against an industry!
Great review. I can say, Bill, that you are an inspiration to writers everywhere. Thank you for all you do and keep on writing and inspiring. I hope you’re having a great new week.
Thanks so much, Rasma, and blessings to you always.
Yes, the arts are very important. An artist never has competition because what the artist creates, the artist makes from scratch. An artist is in touch with the creator which always puts us in a very special place.
I love that, Donna…none of us have competition! We are all unique and ain’t that just too cool for words?
Yeah, and we’re even writers!
This post was very inspiring. I saw the painting, ‘The Scream’. It was unsettling and is going to stay with me for the rest of the day. It conveys something deep that we probably cannot out in words. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you nightlake…that painting represents abject demoralization and hopelessness. I have always found it to be unsettling and thus a brilliant piece of work. I’ll have to write a story based on it one day.
What a lovely review, Bill. But then, I didn’t expect any less. Anyone who has read your writings expects and appreciate your honesty. Just got my copy last night and I’m looking forward to tucking into it this weekend.
And speaking of weekends, you have a good one.
Thank you Zulma, a big, all-encompassing thank you for your friendship and continued support.
Big Bro, this post here is almost like an encouragement to an existential question I’ve had. I started a series where I’d meditate on the Tao te ching and write up a reflection, and create a mandala as the creative expression of it. I’m five chapters in (of 81) and I’d stopped in October when I was feeling like I needed to step back from the frenzied pace of life I’d created for myself – antithetical to mindfulness and meditation. For a couple months, I allowed myself to just do what I “felt like” instead of what I “should do,” – other than the obligatory demands that all of us must adhere to if we are to exist in society. But this project has been tugging at me. Part of why I stepped away was that I thought, “hmm…if I’m going to invest that kind of time in something like this project would require, I should have an end-product, an end-result, if you will, such as a “sellable” book.” For a time, I thought, nope, that’s not sellable. Probably no one will want my own take on the Tao te ching in mandala form. But then this post here – along with a lot of my own self-exploration and meditation – has me thinking, you know…if I can put bread and butter on the table with my other endeavors, what does it matter? There was the whole movement, “art for art’s sake” because we humans inherently recognize the need for creativity. I need it. And so, your post here was the tipping point. I’d already journaled about it this morning, contemplating whether to complete all 81 verses, along with reflections and mandalas. It doesn’t matter if it’s “sellable.” What matters is that we need people – me included – who are willing to be creative, think out of the box, and go ahead and create things – the artwork, the writings, the reflections – even if society at large doesn’t recognize or understand what that’s about. I’m going to do it, dang it. It’s been tugging at my heart for weeks – a sure sign I need to get back to it. (That and I don’t like leaving projects unfinished.) So, thank you for this. Your timing is impeccable. 🙂
Lil Sis, I’m thrilled to hear you are going to finish that project. The Arts must never die, and the only danger of them dying is if you and I and thousands of others decide there is no purpose in them…which will never happen…so carry on my talented insightful sister.
Hugs from Oly
Reading your comment here on Bills post Cynthia and the Universe always has it’s timing just right… Go for it my friend..
Much love your way ❤
What a beautiful review, Bill!
I’m not familiar with the painting you mentioned above, The Scream. I’ll have to Google it. While I’m at it, I’ll run a You Tube of “Vincent”. That song is so moving.
Have a great rest of your week, my friend. Is it still raining in your neck of the woods?
Thank you Sha! I’m sure you’ve seen the painting and just didn’t realize the title of it. As for rain, we were blessed with three days of no rain, but that ends tomorrow. Grrrrr!
Beautiful reflections Bill.
Thank you Lori! I hope you are well.
Such a lovely review of your book Bill, and yes the anguish of parents due to the problem of drugs is immeasurable..
We watched a documentary last month on prison life in the UK as a well know Choir leader and musician here in the UK undertook a project to create a Prison Choir.. He created the Military Wives Choir here in the UK, you will find them online…
It became a logistic nightmare to the prison wardens etc, as they brought the members of the public and family members into the prison’s heart amid the cells on either side to do their final Choir performance of around ten inmates who had stayed the course..
It was so hard as you heard their stories unfold over the weeks of training, some were beaten up by other inmates because of jealousy they had opted to take part in the choir documentary.. Others dropped out through depression..
I shed many tears while listening to their stories. Many of the inmates young men only in their teens when committing crimes who had become involved in gangs and drug running which led to death and violence..
Their parents had tried everything they could to steer them on their right path, but the pull of drugs was too great..
They were encouraged to write their own songs, lyrics and rap music, and the sadness of their feelings came out in their songs.. Such a waste, as these young men were incarcerated for long life sentences.
Thanks for sharing Bill..
Sending well wishes..
Sue
Thank you for sharing that, Sue. I’m not sure I could watch that. I would cry like a baby, and Bev would be depressed for days. Such a waste. Look around us daily. It can be seen. We currently live two miles from a homeless camp in the downtown area. Tent after tent after ten, a stone’s throw from the commercial center of town. The misery there is palpable, my friend.
Anyway, thank you for your input. I don’t have answers, Sue, but I do have the ability to raise awareness through my writings.
love from Olympia
bill
Which is everything. 🙏