The Distinctiveness of Uberness

Uberness: A Distinctive Signature Move

There are different distinctive signatures.

Uber divas, Madonna and Cher. You just think of bra cones and glittery overblown costumes. Uber-spy, James Bond. The way you say his name. Those women. That drink. Uber-author Linda Howard. Those Alpha heros that can go on and on. The MacKenzies series. Uber-roofer. LOL. Well. A certain old dude who threw down over 200 bundles of shingles stocked on the WRONG roof and carried them over to, and RESTOCKED, the correct roof all by himself.

Uberness has many copycats but you always know who began it all.

Michelle Kwan's signature move is the inside-outside edge spiral, termed by her fans as the Smiral because of her joyous smile whenever she does this. It's a deceptively simple move that everyone thinks just looks good and isn't as tough as, let's say, the move where you have your leg up against your ear and you show the world your beaver. So I'm too polite to name the skater that has made that* her signature move, LOL.

The inside-outside edge spiral is done on one skate across the length of the rink and the skater shows her control by gliding first on the inside edge, then outside, of her blade. Not easy. There are many copycats these days. Watch them wobble as they try to maintain speed. Watch them grit their teeth as they change edge and try not to topple over.

Control is so important in art and sports. You can be a jumping bean on the ice at a young age, but without control, the landing is cheated and both the art and sport of figureskating are lost. Granted, most regular watchers wouldn't know a cheated landing if they see one, but that's why I'm dedicating this week to Michelle Kwan. ;-)

Control in writing is also important. Imagine headhopping all over the place, causing confusion among readers as to who is talking to whom. Imagine a cheated ending, where everything just happens deux-ex-machina style. Imagine a spy who can't stand weapons and keeps it in a cookie jar. Oooooh. **heh**

In mastering control, the uber-writer then shows the art in her writing, her distinctiveness in voice and style. You have your favorite authors. Why do you like reading them? The stories are enjoyable, true, but there is something else, right? What is it about their "art" that you find so resonating?

Here is a recent article that sums up Michelle's career:

MKARTICLE

I thought it was fair and informative, although it reads too much like an obit. She hasn't retired yet, folks! ;) Also missing was the reason why she has stayed on top for so long--her combination of art and athleticism in her sport.

I would like to have a distinctive signature ;-). Besides, SEALs and commandos, I mean. "She writes great SEAL books" is not enough for me. That's like saying "She can do triple-triples!" Yeah, but for how long? I want a smiral of my own.

What is your distintive signature?

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