The listicle, the short form writing that is part article, part popsicle–fun, “but not too nutritious” (Okrant 1)–is here to stay.
Here are five of my favorite examples:
- The 11 mistakes every young band makes
- The 10 weirdest custom guitars
- 22 best coffee shops in Michigan
- 5 ways listicles are changing journalism
- 5 reasons the listicle is here to stay, and why that’s OK
We live in a bite-sized, watered-down world; but the listicle is not ruining journalism, readers, or the Internet. The only danger with the listicle is we often see it as a final statement, a sign that the work is done.
But what’s more powerful? Reading a list of the best breweries in Michigan, or embarking on road trip from your own research and creating your own list?
Go forth and create your own listicle.
Spring has been surprisingly fruitful for my writing (AKA, I’ve been writing a $hit ton between diaper changes!), so I’ve started a new project for the summer: “Be the Muse: Commission a Poem.”
Poem patrons get:
1. the first hand-written draft;
2. a framed signed-typed copy; and
3. a giant download of 22 songs as a thank you.
$40 = 1 poem, 22 songs, and many hugs: Click here to commission a poem.
Kitchen tables make the best offices for writing!
My co-writing partner!
Set List – Clawson United Methodist, May 17, 2015
Many thanks to the United Methodist and Kevin Naeve for inviting me to play a folk set. I had a wonderful gig of a listening crowd, a treat after playing a set of three bar gigs during the weekend!
Studio recorded versions linked below:
- I Just Want to Be Your Last (live video take here)
- Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
- A World That’s Bigger (listen here)
- Change the World (Eric Clapton, written by Timmy Sims)
- Love & Be Proud (listen here)
- Drift Away (Dobie Gray)
- One Way Road (listen here)
- Don’t Mess Around with Jim (Jim Croce)
- Pieces of This World (listen here)
- Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
- Love Birds (listen here)
- An Eagle’s Wings
- Burning Bright (listen here)
- Mahogany (listen here)
Photo credit: Leslie Ann Naeve.
WXOU 88.3 Radio Interview tonight 5/11, 9 PM
I’ll be on the Attack of the Spak show tonight, 9 PM at Oakland University’s 88.3 FM
Tune-in or listen online at: http://www.wxou.org/listen/
UPDATE, May 12, 2015:
Anthony Spak captured a snippet of me performing a new song on the air: https://instagram.com/p/2kQ6VCFBbO/
LCC Radio/LCC TV’s Grand River Studio Session airs today!
Live interview today at noon on LCC Radio 89.7 FM in Lansing. Later today, LCC Radio & LCC TV broadcasts the full Grand River Studio Session concert 5 pm!
Don’t forget, a free download of “Burning Bright” and article is posted at LCC Radio all month of May in the M897 Artist Spotlight! Get the song here: http://www.lcc.edu/radio/m897/
