Recently my 67-year-old sister-in-law shocked her oldest daughter by telling her that she liked RAP music (for lack of a better word though it hardly qualifies as music.) We all got a good laugh out of that because we’re almost sure she doesn’t even know what RAP is. Or she might really shock us by knowing what it is. But it is highly doubtful. This is a woman who does not use swear words nor does she want them said around her. She is a true Southern Lady.
I thought about it and I decided I might like some RAP if they didn’t cuss so much. As I was growing up, and trust me that was many moons ago, we were taught that a person uses cuss words because they have a limited vocabulary. So the author of RAP just like any other writer should strive to develop a repertoire of words even though they might never use them in any of their work. We know that as writers we should tell the story (or song) in the most precise terms. A reader or listener does not want to struggle through fifty dollar words when ten-cent words will get the point across.
There are a number of ways to build our collection of words; Scrabble, learning a new word every day, reading and so on and on. I prefer the reading method. I like having the knowledge when and if I ever need it but like every one else I attempt to make my manuscripts an easy, enjoyable read. Our readers want to be entertained not impressed by our large vocabularies but on the other hand I feel they don’t want every other word to be a cuss word.
Will I listen to RAP? I have in the past when my sons and I were sharing a car. I didn’t really like it then but I did enjoy sharing the moment with which ever son was driving me to and from work that particular day. They were also kind enough to listen to my Country Music on rare, very rare, occasions. Today if you get in my car and turn on the CD player you will probably hear something like “The Wheels on The Bus Go Round and Round.” Why? Because that is the kind of music my two-year old grandson enjoys and we are sharing moments and building happy memories.
I like most music but not all of any genre. Music is part of life and wouldn’t the world be colorless without it?
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time settle back in a comfort chair and listen to RAP… or not. God bless.
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