I love short specific lines that are so evocative of a day and time and moment. I listen to a lot of Jason Isbell’s music. He does this all the time.
“Dreamsicle on a summer night in a folding lawn chair…”
Just like that, it’s 1987 and I’m a first grader with a sparkler on the 4th of July. How do writers do that? What makes it work?
I love to think about these things.
I don’t think that I’ve come close to Isbell’s lyrics but it’s fun to try. I know this has come through in my writing. I’m not prepared today with a work sample! I wonder if I might give it a try before the end of the month. Not that I’ll write a song, but perhaps aim for that same short evocative use of language.
What do you notice in the lyrics or prose you are seeing/hearing these days?
Tim's Teaching Thoughts 
What a phrase … ““Dreamsicle on a summer night in a folding lawn chair…”
Just “dreamsicle” brings up a variety of images.
Words.
Words matter.
Which words/phrases grab our attention? ❤
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Composers, song writers are magicians—not all of them, but so many. Even pop stars—Bob Dylan NOT among this crowd—can have those stunning moments. (Okay, I confess, I love Taylor and her lines can bring me to tears.) I love the challenge you pose here, too. Fifteen days remain, so…
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I too love that dreamsicle phrase. It speaks of summer and watching clouds changing shape.
As someone who has read your writing each day this month I believe you have been attempting to capture words like Jason AND have been successful many times!
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If I had a small fraction of Jason Isbell’s ability to capture so much in so few words, I’d be a happy writer. I live in north Alabama about 50 miles from where he grew up, and the way his writing reflects this place is amazing. Thanks for sharing this!
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Couple writing lyrics with the tempo/rhythm of the music and yeah, that is genius. Thanks for bringing this up. Songwriting is its own level of genius, isn’t it. I remember being in college trying to analyze favorite songs with my friends. Those moments still come back to me when I hear certain songs.
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