Writing like a goat...

There are certain singers whose voices are so unique and identifiable that you could recognize them in an instant. And, they are beautiful. There are other singers who are, without a doubt, talented, but no one sings like these particular performers. And no one ever will. As I was driving home from visiting my parents tonight, I passed the time by making a mental list of those singers who, I believe, fall into this category. This is what I came up with:

Aretha Franklin
Willie Nelson
Michael Jackson
Tina Turner
Rod Stewart
Randy Travis
Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler
Alanis Morrisette
Axl Rose
Dolly Parton
Bette Midler
Gwen Stefani (sorry, had to)

I had fun trying to think of them all, and I'm sure I could think of several others if I tried. The thing is a lot of singers are wonderful, but there's just something about a voice that stands out from the rest. This is what I hope to be. Last night, as part of my writing work, I made a different kind of list. A list of all the things I hope my writing to be. It turned out to be a surprisingly short list. It began as this:

1. true
2. appealing to both men and women
3. thought-provoking
4. open (my favorite word)
5. fun to read (and write)

And, now it's down to one.

1. mine

I want my voice to be its own. You know when Shakira auditioned for her school choir, the director told her she sang like a goat and forced her to change her style to match those around her. Ok, so in a choir situation, this makes sense. But in a worldly one, it doesn't. And, though I am not a fan of her current work, Shakira could definitely be added to list number one. I want to write like a goat. Not because I want to prove anything. Not because I want to be different. Not because I want to be rich and famous. Because I want someone to read one page of my work and say, "that's dewin's". I want my work to have me written all over it. Because that's the only way to write true.