I’m doing it right now. I do it everyday. I take it for granted, I think we all do. The ability we have to express our thoughts on paper. And our emotions, in some way. Its more like expressing what we think about our emotions. I can type, “I am happy” or “I am fearful.” but, emotions are much more complex than that. I is a very nice thing
to be able to write.Sadly, I am stuck many times when it comes to writing poetry and lyrics for songs. I have ideas in my head for an emotion i want to express but, it is so darn (damn) hard to express them on paper (computer screen), it comes so easily for some people, but not for me. I WISH IT DID. If I am to consider myself a song writer, then why do I have such a hard time writing songs? Can someone help me with this? If anyone has any tricks of the trade, please comment about them. Not just about song writing, just anything that has anything to do with creative writing (which is ALL writing, in my opinion.)
Anywhat... That is something I really want to get better at. I feel I have a decent level of talent in writing music and arranging musical instruments,
but I wish I could deal with words better. I am listening to Bright Eyes right now. A great band led by Conner Oberst, who writes the songs and lyrics. It really is good stuff. He doesn’t have the best voice in the world but he sure can write some good lyrics. I want to be able to do that! Help me!So, yeah. Thats all, sorry for ranting.
p.s. If any of you have a poem you don’t need, I’ll take it. I’ll make it music.
5 comments:
You write every single day? I didn't know that. Or maybe you mean you write things in your mind. Or maybe you literally write things. I dunno.
It is hard to write. I agree. But I would definitely say that you are one of the more talented writers that I've met. I don't think you appreciate your lyrics as much as you should. I write poetry and it comes pretty naturally (most of the time), but my poetry would not do well as lyrics to a song. I've tried it before, and it doesn't work. Some people say that song lyrics are nothing more than poetry, but I don't think I agree with that. For one thing, the content of the lyrics depends on and heavily affects the actual music itself. Poetry has no music to answer to. And for another thing, with poetry you don't have as many limits, like worrying about rhythm and rhyming and whatever else songwriters focus on. While poetry and lyrics are similar to one another, I think people underestimate the ability to write lyrics because they think it's as simple as a poem.
But that's just what I think about that. Most people would say they're exactly the same. I think you are one of those people.
Anyway, back to the point. I think you are a good lyricist. And a good writer. And definitely an amazing musician and composer. Don't be so hard on yourself. Once you think of something to write about, it usually turns out amazing.
Sorry for this ridiculously long comment.
Hi Will,
I hope you don't mind that an old person reads and enjoys your blog, cause I do -- on both counts. You are one heckuva creative guy -- I love your music and your art -- WOW!!!
I thought I'd tell you a few things that I do as a writer that helps me tap into creative writing, since you asked...
1. Write in a journal everyday -- not so you can practice writing, but so you can clear out of your head all those thoughts that get in your way. I write, with pen and journal exactly three pages (and I stop at three pages -- no matter how large or small my particular journal is). That's enough to clear your mind, but not so much that you clear your mind of everything that's in it -- you don't want to empty yourself, just clear out the clutter. I just write down whatever pops into my mind.
Sometimes it's "I can't think of a single thing to write. I'm writing about nothing. Duh. I'm brain dead." Hey, that kind of stuff needs to be cleared out as much as worrying about how to pay your rent next week.
2. Set aside a "writing space" in your life and honor it. By writing space, I don't mean a certain table or couch or coffee shop -- I mean time -- set aside a time in each and every day in which you honor your gift and talent; a time you have cleared of interruption and distraction so you can create. Oh, and don't forget to show up. As one of my writing friends says regarding writer's block -- "There is only one way to get over writer's block -- plant your butt in a chair and write." Another pretty smart person I know made the observation that writers are the only professionals in the world who allow themselves the privilege of not showing up for work -- you've never heard of a banker with "banker's block" or a plumber with "plumber's block", or a doctor with "doctor's block" -- nope, they may not feel very creative, energetic, or enthusiastic, but they show up for work.
3. Carry a small notebook around with you and jot down ideas when they come to you that you can flesh out when you sit down to create. There is little more frustrating than sitting down to create something and you are brain dead -- not even one idea knocking around in your head. Keeping a list of ideas, even ones that seem dumb, at least that gives you a place to start.
4. Stop thinking so much. Creativity comes out of a quiet soul and mind -- out of stillness -- so when you sit down to create lyrics, first quiet your brain -- concentrate on your breath for a few minutes, stare out the window, pet your cat, and then when the words start to come, write them down. You know, sometimes I don't even look at the computer screen when I'm writing. I look out the window and just let the thoughts flow out of my fingers -- some of my best stories have come from doing that -- no thought about it at all -- just typing without thinking -- cause it's coming from your soul and heart.
5. Don't over analyze your first draft or attempt. I call this "analysis paralysis." Set aside another day or time for editing, and keep your creative time for creativity and composition.
6. Sometimes I find that writing (copying) what other writers have written opens up my creativity. I will take a book that I like or whose style I'd like to emulate to a certain degree, and I just start writing down their words, and I do that until i start to hear my own words, and then I hit return a few times and let the words come -- fast or slow. I've done this with poetry too -- find a poem or song that you like and write one of your own that's like it -- the smae rhythm in the words, the same form or structure, or even the same theme -- just remember this is practice, not something you'd sell or perform, but it will help you to find things you like and learn different ways to express yourself through the words. Sometimes songwriters start with a chord progression they like, then get a rhythm going, and then the words come. Others get a single line of a lyric and the rhythm and mood of that line inspires the rest of the song.
I guess that's a good start for now. If you want to talk more about it, your mom knows my email address, and you can email me.
Beth Lahaie
Wow. I really like what Beth wrote about writing.
I'm going to copy and paste some of her words that fit MY experience in songwriting. I do both of these things. (Lately, though, I haven't written much- sigh. This is inspiring me to get back at it.)
Here's what she wrote that I do:
"Sometimes songwriters start with a chord progression they like, then get a rhythm going, and then the words come. Others get a single line of a lyric and the rhythm and mood of that line inspires the rest of the song. "
wow.
that's a lot of good advice!
I for one do not write... (except on my blog)
I keep a sketching journal instead of a writing journal. I know nothing about composing or singing or music making.
So sorry I have no more helping words for you on that.
However, I agree with all the above that you ARE very talented.
The End.
yeah, you've written a lot of good lyrics. whatchu talkin about willis?
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