True Creation Is Messy and Chaotic And That’s a Good Thing
When people think about songwriting, they often imagine it as a smooth, inspired flow, like the songwriter just sits down, strums a few chords, and out pours a perfect song. I wish it worked that way every time. The truth? Real songwriting is messy. It’s chaotic. It’s full of false starts, awkward phrases, doubt, discovery, […]
Songwriting: How to Start (Even When You Don’t Know Where To Begin)
Let’s face it, starting a song can feel like trying to open a locked door without knowing where the key is, or even what kind of key you need. You sit with your instrument, notebook, or DAW open, hoping that inspiration will show up and say something profound. Sometimes it does. Most times, it doesn’t. […]
Why Your Song Titles Might Need a Rewrite (and How to Fix Them)
There’s something quietly powerful about a good song title. Like a book cover that makes you pause or a movie trailer that gives you the chills, a great title hints at a world waiting to be explored. It doesn’t give the whole story away, it just opens the door. But here’s the thing: Most of […]
Let’s Make No Mistake About It… Songwriting Is Work
There’s a romantic myth floating around that songwriting is just a matter of sitting around, waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration to strike. That a great song will just fall into your lap when the mood is right and the stars align. But let’s make no mistake about it: songwriting is work. Yes, it […]
How to Beat Songwriting Procrastination (And Why You’re Not Alone)
Let’s be honest, every songwriter I know (myself included) has danced with procrastination more than once. You sit down to write, strum a few chords, scribble a line or two… and then suddenly you’re thinking about doing the dishes or diving deep into a YouTube rabbit hole. Sound familiar? So when I came across this […]
12 Activities To Keep The Songwriting Momentum Flowing
As songwriters, we all know inspiration can strike at any moment, but waiting around for it isn’t much of a plan. That’s where a daily songwriting ritual comes in. It’s not about forcing creativity or pumping out perfect songs every day. It’s about showing up, tuning in, and making space for ideas to emerge naturally […]
Songwriting Ideas Are Everywhere (If You’ve Got the Courage to Look)
One of the most powerful truths about songwriting is this: Ideas are everywhere. But here’s the kicker—you need the courage to see them, capture them, and trust them. Let’s unpack this… The World Is a Song Waiting to Be Written As songwriters, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking we need a bolt of […]
How To Write a Song From a Picture
Songwriting inspiration can come from anywhere, a phrase, a memory, a melody… or even an image. Writing a song from a picture taps into a creative process called ekphrasis, using one form of art to inspire another. Whether you’re staring at a vintage photograph, a surreal painting, or a snapshot of a rainy street, here’s […]
How 15 Minutes a Day Can Change the Way You Write Songs
I know, we’ve all been there, sitting in front of a blank page or staring down an instrument, waiting for lightning to strike. Sometimes it does. Most times, it doesn’t. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for practical ways to nudge the muse along a bit. Recently, I came across a great piece over […]
How Do You Find Your Own Voice as a Songwriter?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I find my own voice as a songwriter” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common and important questions in songwriting, and the answer isn’t something you stumble upon overnight. Finding your voice isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about doing the work until something […]