Picking a subject

[shawnmull]

This is something I'm having trouble with.I'm realizing that I need to hone in on a subject but picking a subject to write about/ brain storm over is killing me hahaAny ideas?

[stevebarden]

Shelia Davis has a great book called The Songwriters Idea Book: 40 Strategies to Excite Your Imagination, Help You Design Distinctive Songs, and Keep Your Creative FlowI found it useful. Here's a link at Amazon:" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Songwriters-Idea- ... r=8-2Steve

[hummingbird]

Jun 30, 2008, 11:51am, shawnmull wrote:This is something I'm having trouble with.I'm realizing that I need to hone in on a subject but picking a subject to write about/ brain storm over is killing me hahaAny ideas?I google topics of interest. Say, I wanted to start writing something right now but had absolutely no idea what to write about.Google - ... I thought of 'nothing' I see "buy nothing day"I start contemplating ideas about that.

[aubreyz]

Jun 30, 2008, 11:51am, shawnmull wrote:This is something I'm having trouble with.I'm realizing that I need to hone in on a subject but picking a subject to write about/ brain storm over is killing me hahaAny ideas?Read the listings. Before Taxi, I mostly wrote music to convey a feeling of my own. The more specific listings pushed me to write about new things and helped develop a better awareness of song ideas all around me. Even if you have no plans of submitting, writing to a specific target helps you identify other targets.Aub

[mojobone]

Off topic, but Sheila Davis' "The Craft Of Lyric Writing" is great, as well. When I get ideas that for some reason I can't immediately pursue, I jot them down, scribbling a phrase that fits a rhythmic idea or a thumbnail outline of a lyric or fragment; enough to jog my memory when I pick it up later, when I'm in need of inspiration.

[linziellen]

Hi there,I have a nice book - LYRICS, (writing better words for your songs) by Rikky Rooksby. There's a great section at the end called - Source of themes, tends to get my brain ticking. Another thing I saw the other day, if you have time to read! Use your books to pick out interesting words and phrases, how simple! I'd not thought of that but it couldn't get much easier.I listen to so many different genres, even if I don't enjoy what I hear to start with I usually find the rhythms and words will inspire me in some way.Vikki's idea is good. I found a couple of internet sites with list after list of English sayings and phrases that helps somewhat!Best of luck and have fun,Linzi

[samsintentions]

You ever have one of those days that wierd stuff just happens?? Hey, some of the greatest songs were written about true life events. Many of mine are what happens to me inmy daily life, or what i feel at the moment. Some... i dream up in my sleep.

[mojobone]

I know this is going to sound either trite or mystical, but inspiration is all around for those that have eyes to see and ears to listen. For exercise, try writing a song about a smell .

[prez]

You know, for me, I NEVER have a problem here. I'm blessed when it comes to this. It's easy. There are a million things I encounter around me, stories that people tell me, on and on. My problem is that I have TOO many ideas.Reading helps as does just observing the world around you. Our own lives are hotbeds of song subjects. The news is also a great place. Jude 2

[milfus]

yeah I have read a lot of sheila davis books, and she is pretty good, lyrics is a good book too, for my money tho, I would have to bank on pat pattison, writing better lyrics is just an amazing book, his other stuff tends to be on the amazingly insightful side of things too.