It's May Day (Weekend). And what better way to celebrate than with John Coulton's delightful song, "First of May." (Note: not for the Disney Channel) Enjoy!
I think it was Keats who wrote, Each year on the first of May I mourn the demise of Maypoles. Or maybe it was my Grandpa Max, I'm not sure. Anyway, remember how we used to frolic around those poles in sheer abandon? No? Well, then do you remember seeing Felix and Oscar dance around one in the credits for The Odd Couple? What was up with that, anyway? I was never sure if they were pagans, commies or trade unionists.
Hi Ken, I wonder if you read the interview with early-years "Simpsons" writer John Swartzwelder in "The New Yorker." (When people say the show is pretty good now, but doesn't come near the comedic heights of the first eight or so seasons, I'm pretty sure that's because of him and a handful of other writers, including you and David.) He said this about his writing process -- it makes a lot of sense to me, but I'd like to know your take on it:
"I do have a trick that makes things easier for me. Since writing is very hard and rewriting is comparatively easy and rather fun, I always write my scripts all the way through as fast as I can, the first day, if possible, putting in crap jokes and pattern dialogue — “Homer, I don’t want you to do that.” “Then I won’t do it.” Then the next day, when I get up, the script’s been written. It’s lousy, but it’s a script. The hard part is done... All I have to do from that point on is fix it. So I’ve taken a very hard job, writing, and turned it into an easy one, rewriting, overnight. I advise all writers to do their scripts and other writing this way."
FQ: I listened recently to your podcast episodes with Mike Scully, and wonder if you have a take on this interview with Jon Swartzwelder. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons
If you like Coulton, please do yourself a huge favor and check out “The Princess Who Saved Herself”, which IS kid friendly - in fact I first heard it on Kids Place Live - and has a positive message while also managing to be completely hilarious.
Ben K.-- that sounds a lot like the writing technique Stephen King calls S.F.D., which he says is the secret to consistant productivity. Race through that Shitty First Draft as quick as you can, not letting the desire for the right word or the best way of putting something get in the way of your momentum. Get it right on the second pass.
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Brings new meaning to “Opening Day.”
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Bee Gees' "First of May".
ReplyDeleteWell, It is Lei Day in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Keats who wrote, Each year on the first of May I mourn the demise of Maypoles. Or maybe it was my Grandpa Max, I'm not sure. Anyway, remember how we used to frolic around those poles in sheer abandon? No? Well, then do you remember seeing Felix and Oscar dance around one in the credits for The Odd Couple? What was up with that, anyway? I was never sure if they were pagans, commies or trade unionists.
ReplyDeleteI second the vote for "First of May" by Bee Gees
ReplyDeleteHi Ken, I wonder if you read the interview with early-years "Simpsons" writer John Swartzwelder in "The New Yorker." (When people say the show is pretty good now, but doesn't come near the comedic heights of the first eight or so seasons, I'm pretty sure that's because of him and a handful of other writers, including you and David.) He said this about his writing process -- it makes a lot of sense to me, but I'd like to know your take on it:
ReplyDelete"I do have a trick that makes things easier for me. Since writing is very hard and rewriting is comparatively easy and rather fun, I always write my scripts all the way through as fast as I can, the first day, if possible, putting in crap jokes and pattern dialogue — “Homer, I don’t want you to do that.” “Then I won’t do it.” Then the next day, when I get up, the script’s been written. It’s lousy, but it’s a script. The hard part is done... All I have to do from that point on is fix it. So I’ve taken a very hard job, writing, and turned it into an easy one, rewriting, overnight. I advise all writers to do their scripts and other writing this way."
FQ: I listened recently to your podcast episodes with Mike Scully, and wonder if you have a take on this interview with Jon Swartzwelder.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons
If you like Coulton, please do yourself a huge favor and check out “The Princess Who Saved Herself”, which IS kid friendly - in fact I first heard it on Kids Place Live - and has a positive message while also managing to be completely hilarious.
ReplyDeleteBen K.-- that sounds a lot like the writing technique Stephen King calls S.F.D., which he says is the secret to consistant productivity. Race through that Shitty First Draft as quick as you can, not letting the desire for the right word or the best way of putting something get in the way of your momentum. Get it right on the second pass.
ReplyDelete