Aggretsuko is my favourite show on Netflix.
This animated series about a female red panda navigating Japan’s work culture had me hooked from the first episode.
The highlight of the show is when Retsuko goes to karaoke and transforms from a timid office worker into a veritable death metal BOSS.
I love this show because it’s so relatable to my own life.
I’m a different person at work vs when I’m at karaoke.
Personas are important to develop in different situations, not just for business and pleasure, but also in writing.
As you take on the persona of the artist’s song you recreate, so too do you become a different writer when you emulate the style of writing of your favourite book, show, movie, etc.
Here are other ways that karaoke helps you become the person you truly want to be:
You Learn to Perform Under Pressure (Tap Into That Persona!)
Karaoke is not unlike public speaking in that you perform in front of a room filled with strangers.
This can be nerve-wracking for some, but it can be an invaluable skill to develop. When you’re not afraid or overly focused on the outcome, you can accomplish great things.
You Build Confidence in What You Know
We all have that one song we know front to back. If prompted, we could sing it note for note, inflections and all.
When you are confident in your ability to sing a song you tend to perform it better than if you got a friend to randomly pick a song for you from a list.
Likewise, when writing (and especially with fanfiction), if you know your topic in and out, you feel more confident in creating a compelling story.
If you write about something where you have minimal knowledge, don’t despair. It just means you have to get better acquainted with your subject matter.
The more you play around in unfamiliar territory, the more comfortable you’ll be, and your writing will become better for it.
You Learn to Let Loose
Karaoke is not a singing competition. It’s supposed to be fun!
When you see a karaoke regular belt out the high notes of an Adele tune, remind yourself that it’s not to be taken so seriously. Don’t lament over missed lyrics or your off-key warbling.
When writing, be as generous to yourself as if you had to follow the woman who sang Whitney Houston flawlessly.
Acknowledge that there will be mistakes, embrace them, and go out and do the best you can.
You Learn to take Risks
It’s easy to sing the same song every time you go to karaoke, especially when you know you can rock it.
However, sometimes it’s worthwhile to sneak a new song into your repertoire. Perhaps it’s that 80’s power ballad you love belting out in the shower but have never performed in public. By all means, sing your heart out!
Even if you test it out and it’s a total disaster, at least you can say that you tried and that you have better idea of which songs play to your strengths.
It’s the same with writing. You may be content to create fanfictions and submit them to Wattpad.
Maybe for once, try to write an original story to share on the platform, or even refine your story and submit it to a literary magazine or to a contest.
It’s essential to challenge yourself. Growth only happens when you step out of your comfort zone.
You Learn How to Work a Room
Listen: you can sing an impeccable rendition of your favourite obscure Cibo Matto song, but in truth nothing will get the crowd more pumped than the favorites Sweet Caroline or Don’t Stop Believing.
Why? Because they are easy and fun songs that everyone can sing, and that makes the crowd feel more connected when they can enjoy the performance as much as the person behind the mic.
When you write it’s important to enjoy what you’re creating, but also consider the emotional response of your audience. If you’ve given readers a reason to care about you’ve written, you’ve already won half the battle.
Do you like karaoke? Do you think it’s a fun way to spend a Saturday night, or a lame exercise in ego and bad singing? Do you agree that you can become a better writer by participating in more karaoke?
Leave your answers in the comments below!
