The Energetic Piano, Week #2
What a great privilege it is to write about the late, great Freddie Mercury. I remember seeing some reality t.v. show a few years back, a show about regular people who sang and dressed like celebrities. I can’t remember who won the competition, but I distinctly remember that the guy singing and acting like Freddie Mercury did not win. I was mesmerized even by the impersonator. Today, your job is to express emotions about Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Creative Idea Gal’s Thoughts
Bohemian Rhapsody is creative genius wrapped in a six-minute package of song. In six minutes, the song begins in a slow tempo, builds to a crescendo, and simmers down again into the final ballad. If you listen to the song carefully, you’ll notice how integral the piano is and how it captivates.
I loved watching this video performance of Freddie Mercury hammering it out on the piano. He does a lot of unusual moves with his hands, playing notes in ways that seem unnatural. He also seems to open his mouth wide and try to open it larger because the voice inside is too big to fit through such a small mouth, or so it seems. Since he can’t open his mouth wider, he strains and writhes, most likely with the emotions brought out by the song.
Creative Idea Gal’s Emotion
My emotion for today’s song is “chills.” It’s especially chilling watching the video performance, knowing that video of old footage is all that is left. I think about Freddie Mercury’s choices, the private problems he went through, and his quick passing. I am sad knowing that this ball of fire is no more, but I rejoice in knowing that he is pain-free now and the public still gets to enjoy his music.
Bohemian Rhapsody is slow and deliberate in the beginning. The piano takes full stage. It is grand and beautifully supports the grandmaster himself as he belts it out with every ounce of power in his body.
Tips on How to Evoke Emotion in Nonfiction Writing
- Tip #5 – Practice creative weirdness
Freddie Mercury created a six-minute rock song that fused two distinct genres of music in one song. That musical strategy was unheard of at the time Bohemian Rhapsody was released. If this type of creative weirdness worked for Freddie, it will work for you.
In writing, creative weirdness is a great strategy to practice because it will distinguish you from other writers and instantly evoke emotions from readers. Everyone has an opinion about weird things. It’s not always bad!
Helpful Resources
“Did you know that reading weird books make you more creative? Maybe you’re wondering what a weird book is. Well, ‘weird’ is whatever is just outside your circle of information.” – Mary Jaksch for Write to Done
“I am starting a collection of photos that make me think or give me ideas–and, I hope, will give my students ideas, too. I like to use photos to spark freewriting (which then leads to a story). Try the same with your own creative writing students.” – Elizabeth Collins, on Pinterest
Writing Prompt 068
Prompt: Express emotions about Queen’s song, Bohemian Rhapsody.
- Step 1: Listen to the song first. Then, watch the video performance. Determine what role the piano takes in this song.
- Step 2: I personally find it hard to separate Queen’s music from the personal things I know about Freddie Mercury’s life. It may not be hard for you. Try to listen to the song purely and honestly without any preconceptions.
- Step 3: Express your emotions about this song. Does Freddie Mercury’s facial expressions motivate the way you feel about this song?
Please be sure to leave comments about this writing prompt. We want to hear from you!
About the Author
Amanda M. Socci, J.D., is a freelance writer with 14 years of experience writing professionally. Socci currently cuts her blogging chops on her personal portfolio blog, the Creative Idea Gal blog, and on an online news site, Mount Vernon Patch. Inspired by Nina Amir’s Write Nonfiction in November writing challenge, she created a unique 10-month training program for Writenonfictionnow.com and Writenonfictioninnovember.com blog visitors.
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