FELLOW BLOGGERS: GENERATION CLASH IS NOW A BOOK
We talked about Generation Clash, a blog I’ve been really enjoying, in a post a few months ago. We’re about to cover that topic again because Carmela Carr, the girl behind that webpage, is turning her blogging experience into a book: ‘Journey To Generation Clash’, due out this summer. I reached out to her again and asked a few questions about this upcoming project. If you want to know more about what Generation Clash is about, you can read the post linked above. The book can be preordered at this link.
How did you decide to turn your experience with the Generation Clash into a book?
I came to the realization when I was first given the opportunity to write a book. I was trying to think of what I could write about, and I came up with the idea of discussing all the seminal moments in my life that make me who I am, and how it led to the formation of my blog.
It allowed me to see everything that has happened in my life as another piece in the puzzle! I have a theory that everything that happens, happens for a reason. We just have to be willing to realize that and learn from everything that happens to us and let it allow us to become the best version of ourselves.
What should we expect? Can you spend some words about the contents of the book and how it’s structured?
It sounds ridiculous for me to say this as the author, but the book is fascinating. I’m really proud of it. There will be 12 chapters. There are 3 sections. There are 4 chapters in each section.
The first section tells the reader how I came to the realization that I was different. The second section tells the reader how I started to apply being different into my lifestyle. The third section tells the reader how they can apply these methods into their life.
I’m being a bit brief, but this book is truly a work that has to be read and I guarantee that you will be fascinated by it, because there are so many amazing stories and it’s not just some crazy story. All of these things really happened to me and I hope it inspires others to do something other than going with the flow. It’s cool to be different.
One of the concepts behind Generation Clash (the blog) is trying to build a bridge between newer generations of music listeners and older music they might be missing for one reason or the other. Does your book aim at different generations as well? Why should a millennial read it? And why should a more mature music lover read it?
Yes! It appeals to people of all ages. A millennial should read it because there’s so much amazing music out there, and it’s nice to explore the mainstream, but there is a countless list of artists, even today who aren’t as widely known as the biggest acts.
A more mature reader should read it because not all young people are the same. There are still people who are into older and new music, and it’s not always the bands that people expect or just the songs that were popular.
I hope this book breaks down the barrier of “I love listening to old music”, because there are people who listen to older music as full albums. There are people who explore the entire catalog. There shouldn’t be stereotypes put on this kind of stuff, because people are allowed to listen to what they want to listen to and there’s no reason to judge others for listening to music that you don’t listen to.
People should be open-minded and give things a chance. This doesn’t mean that you have to love everything you hear, but at least give it a listen instead of saying you don’t like something without giving it a listen first.
One of my favorite songwriters, Brian Fallon, recently mentioned this quote from an unnamed author, something like “There’s the book that you plan to do, and there’s the book that you get – and you just have to do the book that you get.”. Is your finished book any different than the book you had originally in mind? And if so, how?
My book is close to how I expected it to be in the sense of the concept, but as I was writing it, a lot of cool dynamics and information started to come into the book.
My favorite one is a part where I was writing about some of my earliest records when I started collecting, and how they were promotional editions and the significance of that. It was really cool to write about it and it’s got a cool amount of information for those who aren’t aware of the significance of promos.
What are your expectations for this project?
My expectation is that the world is impacted because of it. I hope this book inspires people to dig deeper than what’s in front of them. I want people to see the benefits of being open-minded. It’s worth it to find yourself. You’ll figure out who you are and things will start to make sense.
We’re living in a crazy time with the COVID-19 pandemic, and I hope it’s a bright spot in a currently dark world. We should all be taking the chaos and using it to gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on around us. We have to be aware and look out for one another. There’s no better time for us to build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
What do you enjoy as a reader? Any favorite authors, favorite readings?
I actually have lot of books, but I don’t have a lot of time for reading. I’m always doing college coursework during the week, so I’m always reading and I just want to relax in my free time.
My favorite authors are Lemony Snicket, Ruth Stiles Gannett, Bill Wallace, and Edgar Allan Poe to name a few. My favorite books are My Father’s Dragon, The Cay, Stargirl, That Camden Summer, and A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio.
Do you like playing background music when reading? Which are a few songs or albums you would suggest playing while reading your book?
I listen to music when I do basically everything. I’m actually listening to ‘Locked In A Cage’ by Brick + Mortar as I am answering this question.
A few songs I recommend listening to while you read my book are:
1: “Painted On” by Mother May I
2: “Don’t Think” by Starz
3: “49er” by Riot
4: “Pressure Point” by Angel
5: “I Wanna Know” by Strapps
6: “Don’t Panic” by BRKN LOVE
7: “Bloodfeather” by Highly Suspect
8: “Shallow Water” by Weathers
9: “High Heel Leather Boots” by Baby Bee”
10: “Move Like U Stole It” by ZZ Ward
I could name a lot of different songs, but here’s a few cool ones!