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Meg Harris's avatar

You beautifully articulated what it is about Childish Gambino I've appreciated but haven't been able to pinpoint. Thanks for giving me the words.

Also, layering! Makes so much sense. Not gonna lie, though, it's intimidating because I'm still working on the basics: telling a complete story and editing out the amateur mistakes. It helped me to read about your evolution from 1st to 3rd book.

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Kristin DeMarr's avatar

Meg, sometimes layering just organically happens. Whether writers intend it or not, most works have layers of meaning. Sometimes if you write with that intention of layers, it becomes too evident and not as good. I hope that made sense.

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Kern Carter's avatar

Yes! So true. There's is totally an organic element to this that naturally occurs when you tell a great story.

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Meg Harris's avatar

Makes perfect sense. Thank you 😊

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James S. Walker's avatar

Layering the stories and current connection! Two things I need to look back on past pieces to see how they could evolve to include these. Appreciate the observation and a reminder to check out Childish Gambino’s latest drops!

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Kern Carter's avatar

Yup, it's called Little Foot, Big Foot.

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Nikita Andester's avatar

This is such a great take. I watched the video last week and it stuck with me so thoroughly that I dreamed about it last night! He really does wade through two layers in his work, which makes it so compelling :). Excellent food for thought.

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Talia Fletcher's avatar

You layered so amazingly well in And Then There Was Us. I read that book and understood what I’d been missing from other books I’d read. And of course, as a writer as well. I hadn’t been able to describe even to myself what I’m trying to do with my writing. As I read this post l immediately had that “aha” moment. Thank you for articulating what so many of us were trying to figure out. And thank you for writing amazing books with layers 🙂

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Kern Carter's avatar

Thanks you so much, Talia. And I'm so glad you connected with And Then There Was Us. It's my favourite novel and you are so right to recognize the many layers. "Aha" moments are always so exciting :)

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Parvaz Cazi's avatar

Connecting to your audience using modern cultural sensibilities is like speaking the language of your times. Shakespeare wouldn’t have made it in the modern world by using Shakespearean English or only focusing on five-act plays.

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Kern Carter's avatar

Exactly! Good parallel.

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Kristin DeMarr's avatar

Off to go find the new video! This is America was incredible!! Glover is just such an amazing talent!!

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Kern Carter's avatar

So amazing. Little Foot, Big Foot is the name of the song. Should've included the link in the article. I'll edit.

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Kristin DeMarr's avatar

Thanks!

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