As a parent, I’m a cliche. My kids say I live under a rock. This is the charge whenever I don’t know something about pop culture, current events, or…you name it.
When it comes to the internet, I’m not a native like my kids. The web is something I use as a tool, not something I crawl like a spider at home. Even friends marvel that I don’t listen to a bunch of podcasts, watch reels, or spend much time on YouTube.
That said, there are a few YouTube channels I subscribe to, one of which is Writing with Andrew. About five years ago, a friend sent me a video from this channel entitled, “How to Read (and Even Enjoy) Poetry.” Here was this quirky guy in a bowtie saying poetry isn’t meant as a secret code; poets want to communicate. Then he gave some solid hints for enjoying rather than decoding poetry.
The last couple years, I started seeking instruction on poetry. I read a couple wonderful books by Mary Oliver. I considered getting an MFA. Then, at some point, I remembered this thing called “YouTube” and thought that might be cheaper than an MFA. “I wonder if that quirky guy with the bow tie has some other videos?”
Andrew Bashford (that quirky guy with the bow tie) indeed has other videos. Being a PhD, professor, and a writer himself, Andrew has wonderful advice on all kinds of writing—poetry, essays, novels, you name it. He also has a gold skull that sits just over his shoulder and interjects sardonic commentary throughout. So these videos are super helpful AND entertaining.
What I most appreciate about Writing with Andrew is the encouraging tone of every video. Andrew peppers instruction with reminders that no one else can write what you write. While we can all improve skills we should remain who we are when we write.
The last couple years, I’ve watched my confidence as a writer nosedive. This is partly why I started seeking instruction. I felt like maybe I could learn my way to confidence. A couple months ago, one of Andrew’s videos popped up—“Dear Writer, Stop Doubting Yourself.” I watched, and something Andrew said still sticks with me—“Self-doubt isn’t cured by acquiring skills and knowledge.” Instead, Andrew encourages people to write what they like and trust their creative intuition.
If you write anything, I highly recommend Writing with Andrew. Besides technical advice, he has a lot to offer about the psychology of the writing process, which might be even more valuable. But whatever you hope to learn about writing, check out Andrew’s channel. You’ll find what you’re looking for, and you’ll also find out how amusing a sarcastic gold skull can be 😆
A Wandering Minstrel 