The Appeal of American Idol

Before beginning this blog, I have to confess that I did not post the last one. I'm guessing it was Josi---the latest in her attempts to pull me along into the world of the tech savvy. Alas, I've a long way to go. But many thanks, Josi, or other phantom blogger as the case may be.

But yes, I am expecting a baby, and I do have my first novel being released this June. Counting Stars should hit bookstore shelves in a scant four weeks (if only the baby were due that soon), and all is right in my world as an author. I feel so very blessed.

But for my first, official blog, I want to talk about something really, truly profound---the American Idol phenomenon.

For the past few years, I have listened with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment as members of the writers' critique group I attend have discussed passionately the various Idol candidates and performances. Never having watched the show, I admit to being somewhat baffled as to what could possibly hold the attention of these highly intelligent people week after week. After all, if given precious free time, wouldn't they rather be immersed in a great book or at least writing one of their own? What, I thought, is so great about watching a bunch of amateurs sing and get voted off the stage? I really didn't get it.

Until recently, that is.

My current condition of the nine-month flu has found me in bed quite a few evenings, too ill to even muster the strength to turn the page of one of the twelve or so books I am reading. Sitting at the computer and writing has been out of the question too. This left only one alternative for something to get my mind off of my roiling insides---television. Ours was quite dusty, and I found that I needed instructions from my husband to operate the remote (are you surprised, Josi =) , but finally I had everything cleaned off and figured out. Soon I was flipping channels and becoming acquainted with prime time television.

I was not impressed.

And shortly, when I am feeling better, I vow our television will return to its previous dusty state. The one exception perhaps being American Idol. It took me exactly one and a half episodes to get hooked. It wasn't the great music---though wow, I've been impressed. And I don't really have a favorite (but I will admit that When the Stars Go Blue particularly resonated with me---being a romance writer who loves to weave the stars into her stories). I think the appeal, for me anyway, is the thrill of seeing these brave people---young, old, all shapes, sizes and colors (and hairstyles =) going for it, chasing their dreams with their whole hearts and souls. I want them all to win. I think it's wonderful when they do exceptionally well and get praise from a judge. I hope they all get recording contracts and become rich and famous from their exposure on Idol. In a nutshell, it is simply great to see people work hard and achieve their dreams.

Which brings me back to our critique group. For nearly seven years I've been attending this group. I've watched my good friends sell their first novels, win awards, get their articles published. And each time it is thrilling. I feel like the high school cheerleader again, waving my pom-pons when our team made a touch down. How great! How exciting! How absolutely fabulous that all your hard work and passion has paid off. Watching them, experiencing a part of that with them has made my own life fuller and continued to inspire me through many rejections. Everyone should be so blessed to have a group like this. And maybe, in a small way, everyone does. If watching American Idol inspires us to get off the couch and pursue our own dreams, then maybe prime time does have some redeeming value. If cheering for others motivates us to do for ourselves, then I can see why Idol is not only appealing but even worth watching as well.

Here's to big dreams and working hard for them.

Here I am!

So here I am! With both a baby and book on the way, it just made sense to add one more thing to overwhelm myself with, but what's life if not daily insanity, right? My first book "Catching Stars" will be released in August 2007 by Covenant Communications. I'm very excited...and nervous...and...tired. It's been a long time coming!