Anybody go through this?

[squidlips]

I'm reading Bob Baker's stuff right now and I'm sure the affirmations, etc, will come in handy. I have a plan and I'm making my short-term goals, except for getting a deal. I'm just sort of in a slump right now. I look at the listings and can't find anything to offer to them. I'm committed to writing big time but I do have days where I feel a little.....slumped at the piano stool, so to speak.The reviewers have been great and I'm getting forwards. I know this all takes time. I do know that. I guess I'm having some struggles between my real life post-Katrina, with two kids and full-time school and wanting to do nothing but write and write and write, but all these other things keep my brain occupied so much that it's difficult to get into the groove when I do have time to write.Should I just quit, until my life is more stable (rather, not taken up with so many other responsibilities?).Anybody else feel like this sometimes?Sorry, don't know if this is actually the correct place to post this, even!

[jchitty]

Aye Carumba, Squids...I want to sign off and go do some Labor Day things, and then you leave a post like this....so before I sign off, I have to leave my thoughts. First off, I really admire your courage. I know that you've survived some serious physical health issues. Plus, you're raising two kids, and you've survived Katrina too. Lord, woman, you are a tough cookie! You know that I've had some physical health issues too, but I just can't imagine what it would be like to live in the aftermath of a hurricane and then have to raise two kids as well. Since you are capable of that, I think you can do ANYTHING.....it appears you have what it takes to succeed, and besides, it will make a wonderful movie when you become a famous songwriter and artist....call it "Lady Succeeds Against All Odds." I get discouraged too.....there are days that I get literally sick of writing....if you wanted to stop writing, I could understand because I get that way too. But if you're like me, you almost have to write.....not saying it's this way with you, but with me, it is a SICKNESS, hehe. Even if you tried to stop, maybe you couldn't. I can't be in a normal conversation with people without examining their words for potential hooks. Oh Lord, I'm doomed. There is an old saying which goes, "some people are condemned by the Gods to write."There have been many times I have said, "This is it. I have too many other things going on in my life, too many things that are more pressing and important right now, and I am not going to write anymore." Then the next day, I'm writing. I have been through anxious periods too. I want to write a song, and I can't write it because of distractions, and it makes me even more anxious because I can't get the song written...it will drive me bonkers all day until I write a line or two at least, hehe. I think we songwriters write because we're compelled to do so....guess we want to be heard in some way, so we say it in song....others say it through a political arena, paint it, but we sing it.Your foward ratio is great, and your music is great, so I think it's only a matter of time for you. The music biz moves as slow as molasses, so it can be frustrating....I think of that old song, "the waiting is the hardest part."But I think you're there.....you're much further along than me.....I wish you the best of luck. You certainly deserve it.

[hummingbird]

Quote:I'm reading Bob Baker's stuff right now and I'm sure the affirmations, etc, will come in handy. I have a plan and I'm making my short-term goals, except for getting a deal. I'm just sort of in a slump right now. I look at the listings and can't find anything to offer to them. I'm committed to writing big time but I do have days where I feel a little.....slumped at the piano stool, so to speak.The reviewers have been great and I'm getting forwards. I know this all takes time. I do know that. I guess I'm having some struggles between my real life post-Katrina, with two kids and full-time school and wanting to do nothing but write and write and write, but all these other things keep my brain occupied so much that it's difficult to get into the groove when I do have time to write.Should I just quit, until my life is more stable (rather, not taken up with so many other responsibilities?).Anybody else feel like this sometimes?Sorry, don't know if this is actually the correct place to post this, even! I feel like this every time I sit down to write. Honestly I think most people do. Some days getting anything out is like pulling teeth. Other days it seems to flow from an open tap. I never know which kind of day it's going to be. Sometimes I'll be pushing away at myself to write something, and then I'll think... hey, you can't do it all today. It's going to take time to build the cataloque... and you want to enjoy the journey. You have a lot going on, why not take a day to pamper yourself. Have a warm bath listening to favourite music.... or go for a walk and have a coffee at a small cafe... go browse in a favourite bookshop... give yourself the gift of time and do something serene... that's writing too.

[squidlips]

Notice how the women respond so quickly! You're both absolutely right. It's like pulling teeth, ripping out hair, trying to run away only to turn back. It's days of careful labor and ennui interspersed with occasional bursts of absolute joy. A compulsion, (using my field's vernacular).I carry a notebook in my purse with me at all times because someone's going to say something or something will pop in my head and I have to write it down, it's that good. That notebook is full of disjointed conversations or lines or whatever, all waiting to be turned into something. I quit music once for almost 8 years. By the end of it, I was nearly flat-lined. No life at all.Guess I jes need a little time to relax. Thanks, girls. Can't tell you what that means to me, to know you're out there going through similar ........ah.......adventures. Thanks so much for taking the time (on a holiday too, you should get combat pay!).Hope

[sgs4u]

Quote:Notice how the women respond so quickly! If you gals think this is a girl thing, well, I'll just jump on my soap box a bit and then run for the hills again. I am seriously manic, there are days when I want to throw in the towel as well. When I first joined Taxi, I thought Matto and Mazz were the right role models for me. However, they don't have 3 kids to raise, or families to juggle. It doesn't make their struggle any easier, just different. They are able to devote all of their energy to whatever they decide to, for longer periods of time. Well, that's what I thought. On Sat, we took our family to a water-park (I still have a very sunburned noggin, yes my fault entirely). There was a man there with his 3 sons, 16, 13 & 10. The 2 younger sons are both blind, going down water-slides, laughing, getting led around by the arm. AND extremely happy. If they can do it, and Walter can stay happy, then I'm gonna bust my butt to control the cacophony in my head. The truth is deeper. We all fight our internal demons. Those are the things that stand in the way. Whatever the little voices in your head cause you to think about, is what you will experience. I have found one day of feeling like, "I'll never get anywhere in this business," requires 2 days of recovering from those lousy thoughts. So part of my path here (on the forums), is to participate whatever way gives me hope, and sparks my own engine, and genuinely helps other people. Sometimes it's humor, sometimes it's information. That way, I still feel connected, and I get back to work sooner and without the entire day spent whining in self-pity. I'm not saying that's what you do, that's what happens to me if I do nothing. Another thing that works to blow out the cobwebs is heavy exercise. (for me it's playing hockey) The muse and music aren't going anywhere. They're always going to be readily available. But the habits we allow ourselves to continue experiencing, must be scrutinized, in order for our minds to become even more clear and focused. I guess I'm talking to myself again. hehe Time to get back to work...

[kg]

Wow, there are some fantastic statements to agree with here, and then I'll ramble.Quote:I think we songwriters write because we're compelled to do so....guess we want to be heard in some way, so we say it in songI don't think any of us could function without it in some form, even when we do take a break from it. Those of us who are truly compelled will always come back to it, no matter how far we run.Quote:Some days getting anything out is like pulling teethThis is when you have to sit back and figure out if you just need a few minutes, or if this is one of those times you need to walk away and comeback later. Sometimes I almost feel like *trying* to write is the punishment for the ones that come almost too easy.Quote:I am seriously manic...I think we all are Quote:The truth is deeper. We all fight our internal demonsDefinitely Quote:Another thing that works to blow out the cobwebs is heavy exerciseI agree. It may not work for everyone,but this works for me too. You might just need to go for a walk and get your head clear.All in all, I feel like there are so many things that a lot of us go through, whether we are single, have ten kids, work three jobs, fight disease... it's all the same war, just a different enemy at that time. What I'm trying to say is the resonsibilities are always going to be there no matter what. If you quit until stability comes, what if it never does? I realized this for myself and we've had to bite the bullet and put ourselves really really out there. I don't want to sit here and list all the sacrifices and such, cause we all have made them at some point or another, but I think if you've been strong enough to get this far, that you should be encouraged by your current success indicators, which are your forwards,and the affirmations of those around you who have no reason to kiss your @$$. I think you're just feeling a bit overwhelmed, as I almost always do (a little crazy too LOL) . Be encouraged, we all get that way, but you'll be just fine. Maybe just lower the output you're expecting of yourself at the moment, take the time to clear your head and let the songs come to you. We can't all just go on auto-pilot and spew out a great one. Just try to be balanced about it instead of beating yourself up if you do feel too tired or worn to write sometimes. You have enough enemies without turning on yourself

[mazz]

Hi,Your artistic dillemma sounds like one shared by many. Not to diminish any other challenges you have and are facing in your life.I have much reverence and respect for anyone attempting to have an artistic life or outlet in these crazy times we live in. I can't even imagine how to raise kids like Steve does or to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane or any number of life-changing events we all deal with on a daily basis. Yes, I have a bit more time to work on my music but I had to battle my way through my own stuff to get to that point. Enough on that for now! From my own experience, I can offer this: don't put the pressure on yourself to write a masterpiece or hit song every time you sit down to write. The key is to write without judgement. Even writing one word or note or chord a day helps keep the flow going and the effect is cumulative. Don't underestimate the value of downtime. Years ago I learned of a process called assimilation, where the mind is given a problem to solve and then the psychic space to work it out in it's own time. We've all had this happen to us: taking a shower or shopping for groceries and all of a sudden the perfect words or notes for that sticky section you've been working on pops in to your head. The trick is to use that process consciously and understand when to back off and let the assimilation happen. Vacations or massages are good assimilation techniques! Accept that not every thing you write will be awesome and 5 minutes a day is better than trying to find that nice 3 or 4 hour window and then getting stressed out when it doesn't happen! Try to enjoy the journey, or at least acknowledge that it's a journey.I humbly submit.Mazz

[anne]

I'm glad you mentioned that you quit for 8 years. I'm 1 year into my incredible comeback after a 15+ year absence. I find it really hard when I get an idea and spend the day developing it. I try to do this whether I "like" the way it is developing or not, to get in the habit of not destroying my potential hit because it isn't flowing out easily. I really needed to work on the discipline aspect of writing. I find that if I get up, do some housework (like vacuum), or take a shower, or mow the grass or similar brainless but meditative activity, I tend to come back to the piece more relaxed and in a better frame of mine. Hence, our yard looks great but my catalog isn't growing all that fast... I am in the habit of writing every day though. I get hung up on lyrics. I feel like everything I write is somehow too personal, but others find it good (in that other people like the story and the "unfolding" etc) but I feel like it is boring and sounds really dumb (just plain sucky and trite) after recording it. I could use some advice on getting over not liking the sound of my voice and my lyrics, when other people actually do find both good. Any tips?

[jchitty]

Man, that Hummingbird is a sage, an evolved soul. She always makes me think. Reading this thread, there have been so many good observations, but what I'd take away from this after reading Vikki's post is that I am not the sum and total of my songs. Sometimes, I get carried away with thinking that songwriting is my life. I have so much more in my life....a good husband, family and friends....you can forget all that sometimes and become so focused on the pursuit of writing that you forget all the blessings that you have around you, and then living passes you by....you're too stuck on the pursuit of the goal.That being said, I probably will continue to be obsessed with writing, hehe. But it's food for thought anyway.

[horacejesse]

Most days I don't even want to get up. Then after I am up I realize I should have stood in bed.