I've found that the upcoming tour has been an amazing impetus to write. The last thing I want to do is go out there and say "Hey everyone! I'm the capering monkey with the 'NASCAR' poem, let me do that again for the 4000th time!".
Plus, you know, Necromancer. I've got the challenge of having to write new stuff and get it memorized and staged and up to Nationals level performance because I can't do anything old for that if I want to win. People can recite some of my bigger pieces along with me I've done them so many times.
Although honestly, I think I get an unfair advantage over a lot of youz guyz because I'm an out of towner, and if I read the same old shit no one would know. That's an intereting phenomenon, that slam poets are so much "stronger" outside of their own community.
one thing that sucks at NPS style events is that all the workshops are aimed at beginners. it'd be awesome to have some sort of advanced series. people say the poetry training camp is great, but i haven't seen any significant improvement in any of the graduates (albeit given a very small sample size), and wonder if it's worth the trip out there.
I keep hearing good things about the camp, but I've never been (largely because I'm broke and can't afford it, but also because I reserve all of my time off for SM duties and NPS/iWPS/WOWps
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Exactly. In fact, at small shows I expected to leave broke from, I've met university professors and MTV talent agents who hooked me up down the road. A 15-person show in Ann Arbor which paid me $50 and merch netted me $3k in gigs.
also, it'd be great if there were more emphasis on writing and performance skills, and more debate on how can be married. There's a such a massive disconnect between styles and scenes ... how is it we're all doing the same art but our aesthetics and execution are so polarized? It's not like other artforms where you can disagree with someone's choices but still respect their craft. (At some levels) half of the poets think the other half are virtually talentless!
touring workshops are almost misleading, because they NEVER emphasize how good and well-known you have to be before you start making money. I know when Andrea and I were separately touring on the way to iWPS, we were just bleeding money. while that might have been bad luck or preparation, it think it shows that your average touring poet hoping to jump into the scene can get HOSED.
Plus, you know, Necromancer. I've got the challenge of having to write new stuff and get it memorized and staged and up to Nationals level performance because I can't do anything old for that if I want to win. People can recite some of my bigger pieces along with me I've done them so many times.
Fear is an excellent motivator.
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I wonder if there should be a workshop at NPS/iWPS/WOWps about how to put on a good show...
Wait...never mind. I didn't say that.
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touring workshops are almost misleading, because they NEVER emphasize how good and well-known you have to be before you start making money. I know when Andrea and I were separately touring on the way to iWPS, we were just bleeding money. while that might have been bad luck or preparation, it think it shows that your average touring poet hoping to jump into the scene can get HOSED.
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