Some Typewriter Rodeo poems are serious. Some are timely. This one is about cheese.
funny
Texas is God’s Country
“Everything’s bigger in Texas” may be one of the most famous sayings about Texas. “Don’t mess with Texas” probably comes in a close second.
Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has been looking into another well-known saying about Texas.
April Fools
Check your calendar — and then check your coffee cup or your sheets for anything that might be extra. Approach social media with caution. Take big news in stride. The first day of April can come as quite a surprise. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Unfortunate Discovery
For some people, it’s snakes. For others, it’s spiders. In Texas, we have both — in large sizes and quantities. Consider the tarantula. Yes, it’s harmless. But try telling that to some! That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Most Reliable Internet Service
For many, pandemic times have meant a lot of extra time relying on the Internet — connecting for work, for school, or for various appointments. Many of us have also experienced the frustration of a not-so reliable Internet connection. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Valentine’s Day (COVID Style)
The pandemic has affected the way we celebrate events and holidays. This Typewriter Rodeo poem imagines what might be possible if the limitations of COVID-19 were not in the way.
The Death Of The Handshake
In the age of social distancing, some traditional ways of greeting one another have fallen to the wayside. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
What To Do If You Run Out Of TP
It was one of the first signs that life was going to get strange for a while: toilet paper started flying off the shelves. The supply still doesn’t seem particularly stable. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
A Catalog Of Collections
Have you ever looked at a list of animal group names? Animal scientists clearly had so much fun coming up with them! That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Roadkill
No matter how careful you are, it can be an inevitability on Texas roads. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Squirrels Cooling Off By Laying Flat On Concrete
For a moment, you might think there has been an unfortunate accident. But, upon closer inspection, you realize: that critter is not dead — it’s simply trying to cool off in the Texas heat! That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld is a bestselling author of books for both children and adults best known for his young adult series Uglies and Leviathan. While on tour with his new graphic novel Spill Zone, Westerfeld spoke with The Write Up host Owen Egerton about monsters, collaboration, teenagers and storytelling.
Westerfeld’s recent projects have embraced visual storytelling. From the stunning illustrations in the Leviathan series to the Uglies graphic novel adaptations to Spill Zone, Westerfeld says he’s learned lessons not only about writing for comics and other visual media, but about writing prose as well.
“I’ve learned that books breathe better when you vary scale or light between scenes,” he says. “And while, in a prose novel, your audience might not see the crowd or the space you’ve written around your characters, if you do it right they will feel it anyway.”
Spill Zone, is the first installment in a new series with artist Alex Puvilland. The graphic novel is set three years after a mysterious event destroys the town of Poughkeepsie and follows Addison and her little sister, Lexa. The narrative revolves around Addison’s secret: that she sneaks into the otherworldly Spill Zone to take photos to support herself and her sister. Westerfeld says he’s always been drawn to writing characters shrouded in secrecy.
“I love characters with secrets because there’s always something that can go wrong for them,” he says. “[There’s] always something churning in their head, and it allies the reader with the person with the secret because we’re in there with them. We’re keeping the secret with them.”
Back To The Nest
College commencements are taking place across Texas over the next few weeks. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem.