Why a Good Author is Like a Burlesque Artist

I was going through some pictures and came across this fun one of me and the cast of a burlesque show at The Odditorium in Asheville, North Carolina. I had been given an Airbnb birthday experience that included a talk about the history of burlesque, backstage to meet the entertainers, and the show itself.

The evening ended with a burlesque contest involving audience participants. Yep, I was one of them. My best friend has the video and periodically threatens to release it.

Dating back to 17th century Italian theater, burlesque started as a comic interlude. Victorian burlesque parodied opera and Shakespeare. Once it crossed the ocean to America, burlesque relied more on theatrics and shock value -- specifically semi-naked women. Burlesque lost popularity after World War II but has had a revival in this century -- particularly as a way of empowering women.

I learned some important lesson about writing from burlesque.

Embrace Imperfection. Burlesque artists come in all shapes and sizes. They proudly strut imperfect bodies. Writing also comes in all shapes and sizes. But we often spend way too much time seeking perfection and become immobilized by overthinking. \That doesn't mean you need to be sloppy, but getting stuck in perfect mode means we miss actually getting the book out.

Stripping Vs. Burlesque

I like how Emma Glitterbomb contrasts stripping and burlesque: "Stripping is client-focused; burlesque is performance-focused," she writes. "As a stripper, though you are performing, you also want to create one-on-one experiences with clients, which can result in more money. As a burlesque performer, you’re creating a relationship with the audience as a whole."

I think good authors are more like strippers. They create a one-on-one experience with the reader.

Be Brave. Be Free. When I watched the burlesque show, I was struck by the bravery of the performers. They were there to have fun, to embrace zaniness, and to strut their stuff on stage. They gave it their all without inhibitions and really, really looked like they were having a good time.

So when the Mistress of Ceremonies called three of us up on stage to compete in a burlesque contest, I jumped at the chance. My competition was a very buff young man and a curvaceous young woman. I am neither young nor curvy; I am old and round. But I do love to dance,

Until I realized you actually had to take some pieces of clothing off. Buff Man got down to his skivvies. Curvy Chick was prepared with lovely lingerie. I, however, had broken my shoulder a month before and was dressed in my standard "can't use my arm clothing" of sweatpants and a t-shirt. To put it bluntly, I was going commando and only had two pieces of clothing to remove.

And here's the thing about burlesque -- you cannot show unmentionable parts. It's against the law with heavy fines. {And even without the legal repercussions, I actually have a pretty conservative streak when it comes to public nudity.)

It was my turn to perform. The music cued up and the Mistress of Ceremonies was looking very nervous. She realized that I had very limited options. Her reputation and pocketbook were on the line. I could have sat down, but damn, I wanted to be brave.

So laughing all the way, I slowly lifted the back of my shirt and pulled out my best dance moves. And then I teasingly lowered one side of my sweats in perfect time to the music. Then I paused and.... took off my glasses. The crowd went crazy, and I won the contest.

So what have I learned from that invigorating and humiliating life experience? First, being brave is essential as a writer. Second, audiences love a good laugh so creating those moments with authenticity actually can make you a winner. And finally, sometimes less is truly more.