Help! Mental Block!!

[marion196]

I've recently signed an "exclusive" contract with a publisher. I sent him 6 songs I've written over time and he was interested in only one of them. He wants me to write at least 3 more songs before the contract comes up for renewal in November. He told me to just keep writing.Well, I'm freaking out! The initial songs I wrote were done on inspiration, and now that I HAVE to write more, I'm going blank! This has never happened to me before...maybe I'm trying too hard?Has anyone out there ever signed an "Exclusive" contract and, if so, what does that really mean? Did I make a mistake? Should I have not gone exclusive so that I can pitch to other publishers?If he's only interested in the one song, can I continue to pitch the others to someone else?Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Marion

[pitterpatter]

The prospect of money inspires me. This is the kind of experience that would probably open up my creative channels, not block them. Sorry I can't be of much help. I hope you find your inspiration.

[davewalton]

Feb 7, 2009, 12:12pm, marion196 wrote:I've recently signed an "exclusive" contract with a publisher. I sent him 6 songs I've written over time and he was interested in only one of them. He wants me to write at least 3 more songs before the contract comes up for renewal in November. He told me to just keep writing.Well, I'm freaking out! The initial songs I wrote were done on inspiration, and now that I HAVE to write more, I'm going blank! This has never happened to me before...maybe I'm trying too hard?Has anyone out there ever signed an "Exclusive" contract and, if so, what does that really mean? Did I make a mistake? Should I have not gone exclusive so that I can pitch to other publishers?If he's only interested in the one song, can I continue to pitch the others to someone else?Any advice would be greatly appreciated.MarionHi Marion,Exclusive or non-exclusive isn't good or bad in or of their own. I think that the bottom line for most of us is getting our foot in the door. A credit or even just a deal with a library always has a better chance of leading to bigger and better things than starting with nothing. So you've got the hardest part out of the way... the first deal (or what sounds like it might be your first deal). Only the songs that are actually signed (and usually on a "Schedule A" that accompanies the contract) are subject to the exclusive contract. The rest... they're yours to market elsewhere. Make sure though which tracks are actually signed.I think you should probably relax, maybe take some time to just listen to other music (similar to yours) that you really enjoy. That usually helps me. I step away for a bit, I don't even try to write anything, just enjoy the music of other composers/songwriters in my genre. That usually inspires me and gets the inspiration going. You also might pick up a new songwriting book, Jason Blume, John Brahany, or something similar to give you new ideas and/or approaches to the songwriting process.Three songs between now and November... you'll do just fine. Dave

[hummingbird]

Congrats on the deal!!!!! just a general note sort of on this topic... Of course we're worried about what the end product of our writing process will be. Unfortunately, that worry gets in the way of creative inspiration and stops us from moving forward and building a catalogue.Honestly, the best thing I have ever done is take part in songwriting challenges. It took me two or three tries to "get it". A songwriting challenge isn't about being commercially viable, or writing a hit song. It's about challenging yourself to write. To find ideas, and write. To be thinking and searching all day for inspiration. And as you do the 'challenge' (whether you 'win' or not) the very act of writing becomes an inspiration to your Self. It's Feb 8th and I've written 7 songs (I used to write 2 a year) since Feb 1st (February is Album Writing Month (FAWM) 14 songs in 28 days). Every one has lines or melodic riffs I like. Each one needs work. Every one is an exercise that strengthens my writing muscle. Every one leads me to the next one, which will be all the better for my past experience of writing. IMHO in order to be a writer of songs you need to be writing songs, knowing you are writing them to get something down on that sheet of paper. Even if they are about your dog, or your flashlight, or chocolate cake, or about the fact that you can't think of anything to write about. Challenges are "the morning pages" of songwriting.(Come to think of it, another way to get past the blocks is to write morning pages (3 pgs stream of consciousness every a.m.))Besides FAWM (www.fawm.org) you can also think of doing 50-songs-in-90-days Jul 1-Oct 1.H

[marion196]

Thanks for the input, folks. I just started reading, "Shortcuts To Hit Songwriting" by Robin Frederick (it's one of the Taxi music books), and it's FANTASTIC!! It's like a compilation ofmini workshops about every facet of songwriting. Not only is it interesting and easy reading, but I found myself laughing in a lot of spots...really relating to the "don'ts" of the business.I would emphatically say it's a MUST READ to all songwriters!Marion