Filk is a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction/fantasy fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has been active since the early 1950s, and played primarily since the mid-1970s. The term dates back to 1955.
I told you I would discuss filking later; I just didn’t say when. Now that we’re on the subject, I suppose I should answer the proverbial question of why? As Bluto from Animal House would say: Burp! “Why not?” A reason is not needed in order to filk. One filks because one feels the need to express his inner Weird Al Yankovic from time to time.
I, myself, am a filker, but I do not participate verbally in song. That would be a tragedy. I’m a filking writer…er, I mean, I’m a filker who expresses himself through writing. And just what exactly is filking? Well if you didn’t already click the link, I will give you the “short, short version.” To put it simply, filking is when a person takes a particular song and exchanges the lyrics for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi story. Even simpler: Star Wars: Episode IV to the tune of Don Mcleans’ “American Pie.” That would be interesting! It would probably go something like this:
Long, long, time ago
In a galaxy far, far away…
I met a young man who lived on Tatooine.
His uncle kept him farming water,
But his aunt knew he was like his father,
And she knew one day he would be a Jedi.
If you’re still reading this blog, and you don’t think I’ve completely lost my marbles, then you may be a little crazy as well. Filking is not a new concept, nor is it completely unknown. Since entering the Amazon.com forums I’ve met multiple people who not only partake in the art of filking, but they are pretty damn good at it too! There are even those who can perform. C.S. Marks comes to mind. (Thanks for the mini concert you gave Stef and me.) More amazing is the fact that there are conventions held just so people can filk each other…er, I mean, to each other. OVFF: The Ohio Valley Filk Festival is one such gathering.
So maybe this blog enlightened you to your life’s new calling, or perhaps you’ve decided to ignore the rest of my posts from this point forward. Either way my work is done, and you can now spread the word and teach people how to filk. You just never filking know when you will have to express your inner musical geek.
-Matt
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Afraid of the Elevator
I’m trying to overcome a fear: fear of the elevator. Not the metal box that moves you from one level to the next. I’m talking about the “elevator pitch.” It is a necessary element for any author who is trying to sell a book.
What is an elevator pitch? It is an enticing summary of what your novel is about. Theme, plot, characters—all elements wrapped up in a neat little package that you must deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator to your destination. A trip on the elevator is not very long.
But our book is. How do you condense a 500 page book into a minute’s tagline? And how do you do it with finesse? Not only is it difficult to summarize a lengthy novel (believe me, all the twists in the plot seem important when it’s your book), but you’re selling your heart and soul.
Whether an agent, a publisher, or a potential reader, they want to know: What is this book about, and why should I buy it? It’s exactly how we think when we’re looking to make a purchase. What makes this book so special? Is the cover appealing? Does the back cover summary entice you? Can you open it to any page and become hooked? A book is an investment of time and money, and if the reading experience is not satisfactory, it could mean your reputation.
There are no visuals with an elevator pitch. It’s a carefully constructed piece of marketing. You want to avoid tired clichés, and you want to deliver your summary smoothly and with inflection. You want to have the voice of Garrison Keillor of James Earl Jones so that you can instantly command your audience’s attention.
If your audience breaks eyes contact, yawns, or walks away, you’re finished. You’ve failed. There won’t be another chance with that one. Try not to take it personally, but then again, how else can you take it? It’s your book—your pride and joy, for crying out loud. And it has just been rejected before it was even picked up!
I’m an author, not an actor. Nor am I an expert salesperson. It doesn’t matter. Unless you can pay a professional to market your book, your readers expect YOU to sell it to them. And you should be able to do that with your pitch.
I’m intimidated by the elevator pitch. It’s a scary thing, looking into the eyes of a stranger and trying to convince him that your story is something he will want to read. I struggle with this now, and I always will struggle with it. I am grateful for my writing partner, that we can collaborate a pitch that will be clever and enticing.
Our latest assignment with our writers’ group is to do just that: create a pitch and present it to the group. We will present it to our peers on October 6th, and they will critique it. I shouldn’t be afraid, and yet… Well, let’s just say you have to face your fears. One day our delivery will come easily, and we will be the professional marketers we long to be. Or maybe it’ll just be enough to win the attention of someone to share in our written adventure.
-Stef
What is an elevator pitch? It is an enticing summary of what your novel is about. Theme, plot, characters—all elements wrapped up in a neat little package that you must deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator to your destination. A trip on the elevator is not very long.
But our book is. How do you condense a 500 page book into a minute’s tagline? And how do you do it with finesse? Not only is it difficult to summarize a lengthy novel (believe me, all the twists in the plot seem important when it’s your book), but you’re selling your heart and soul.
Whether an agent, a publisher, or a potential reader, they want to know: What is this book about, and why should I buy it? It’s exactly how we think when we’re looking to make a purchase. What makes this book so special? Is the cover appealing? Does the back cover summary entice you? Can you open it to any page and become hooked? A book is an investment of time and money, and if the reading experience is not satisfactory, it could mean your reputation.
There are no visuals with an elevator pitch. It’s a carefully constructed piece of marketing. You want to avoid tired clichés, and you want to deliver your summary smoothly and with inflection. You want to have the voice of Garrison Keillor of James Earl Jones so that you can instantly command your audience’s attention.
If your audience breaks eyes contact, yawns, or walks away, you’re finished. You’ve failed. There won’t be another chance with that one. Try not to take it personally, but then again, how else can you take it? It’s your book—your pride and joy, for crying out loud. And it has just been rejected before it was even picked up!
I’m an author, not an actor. Nor am I an expert salesperson. It doesn’t matter. Unless you can pay a professional to market your book, your readers expect YOU to sell it to them. And you should be able to do that with your pitch.
I’m intimidated by the elevator pitch. It’s a scary thing, looking into the eyes of a stranger and trying to convince him that your story is something he will want to read. I struggle with this now, and I always will struggle with it. I am grateful for my writing partner, that we can collaborate a pitch that will be clever and enticing.
Our latest assignment with our writers’ group is to do just that: create a pitch and present it to the group. We will present it to our peers on October 6th, and they will critique it. I shouldn’t be afraid, and yet… Well, let’s just say you have to face your fears. One day our delivery will come easily, and we will be the professional marketers we long to be. Or maybe it’ll just be enough to win the attention of someone to share in our written adventure.
-Stef
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