I love my songs. That may sound arrogant or obnoxious, but it's the truth. If I didn't love them I wouldn't bother writing them and I wouldn't sing them to myself throughout the day because they help me express what I'm feeling. Sometimes, they even help me feel.
My lyrics are myself at my most open hearted and tender moments. Whether anyone listens or cares, no one can take that away from me. The fact is that even if they never bring joy to anyone else they have brought joy to me already. No one else wrote a song based on my thoughts and my exact feelings. As cliche as it sounds that's what makes them special.
I do doubt myself sometimes though. I'll come up with a great idea and be excited about the start I have for a song. As I try to continue it gets harder. And when I start to feel completely blocked I wonder if my ideas or talents are worth the trouble at all. I don't always know how to say what I'm feeling through my lyrics in a way that makes sense. It frustrates me so much when that happens, but even if I can't finish I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I take the time to start a song. At least I saved those first thoughts for later and used them to create a few lines. It's better than creating nothing and having no way of venting or communicating what I have to say. Nothing says failure better than failing to try.
I've put a lot of thought lately into how I want to move forward and how I want to share my songs. I haven't accomplished anything yet, but the point I'm trying to make is that writing the lyrics to a song is a satisfying accomplishment all by itself. I've enjoyed that satisfaction and I enjoy the release it gives me from the tension of bottling up my emotions or letting my emotions control the way that I act. By allowing me to address my own insanity, it helps me find a sense of calm and restfulness in a dangerous and unpredictable world. And that is a very daring accomplishment.
~Eliza
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Being Yourself
Passion Level: 8
Motivation Level: 10
I am a very introverted person. I'm not a social butterfly and I'm not the life of the party. That's just the way I am and I'm comfortable with that, but sometimes other people around me aren't.
People criticize me for being myself. It always starts out in a friendly, innocent way. It's usually someone asking me about the last time I went out of inviting me to an event. We're having a pleasant conversation, then suddenly I'm under attack. Or more accurately my personality is under attack.
It's not that I've done anything wrong. The other person just can't accept that I don't act or think the same way they do. I should want to do all the same things they like and I should give some kind of explanation as to why I don't.
People are not meant to me, but the peer pressure is always there. There is always some reason that I should act or think more like someone else. The way I am doesn't make sense, so people feel like they either need to change it or try to understand the reasons behind it.
It's human nature to expect other people to act and think the same way we do. I do the same thing sometimes, but we should never allow those social pressures to keep us from being ourselves. Expectations won't keep me from being myself and it won't keep me from writing my songs either.
~Eliza
Motivation Level: 10
I am a very introverted person. I'm not a social butterfly and I'm not the life of the party. That's just the way I am and I'm comfortable with that, but sometimes other people around me aren't.
People criticize me for being myself. It always starts out in a friendly, innocent way. It's usually someone asking me about the last time I went out of inviting me to an event. We're having a pleasant conversation, then suddenly I'm under attack. Or more accurately my personality is under attack.
It's not that I've done anything wrong. The other person just can't accept that I don't act or think the same way they do. I should want to do all the same things they like and I should give some kind of explanation as to why I don't.
People are not meant to me, but the peer pressure is always there. There is always some reason that I should act or think more like someone else. The way I am doesn't make sense, so people feel like they either need to change it or try to understand the reasons behind it.
It's human nature to expect other people to act and think the same way we do. I do the same thing sometimes, but we should never allow those social pressures to keep us from being ourselves. Expectations won't keep me from being myself and it won't keep me from writing my songs either.
~Eliza
Sunday, February 19, 2012
That Moment it Comes to You
Passion Level: 10
Motivation Level: 9
Before I get into the topic for this post, I want to make a quick note about Despite the Things You Say. I'm very anxious to share this song, but I'd really like to get it set to music so I can present it in an effective way. I do not want to post the lyrics before then. I'm also going to be making a dedication video in which I will be dedicating the song to the people who inspired it and explaining why I feel they needed to hear the message most.
The other day someone asked me how I get my ideas for songs. I've found that journaling helps me the most. Writing down what I'm feeling in the moment helps me have something to reference when I need an idea. So if I'm in a creative mood but I'm not coming up with any ideas yet, I start flipping through my journal and that usually helps a little bit. Even if there's nothing particularly exciting about an entry, I can usually come up with something based on what I wrote about how I was feeling that day.
When an idea does come to me I usually get the melody and the lyrics at the same time, which is rare for a lot of people, but for me it's rare to get just the lyrics or just the melody in a particular moment. They just come at the same time and I'm very grateful that my mind works in such a convenient way.
I will usually have a verse or a chorus that I'm happy with within a couple of minutes. After I get that verse or chorus, however, I often have difficulty adding to it. I'm happy with what I have, but completing the song in a way that flows well and makes sense is difficult.
The main reason for that is that when I get the original idea, which is usually only a few lines, I'm busy doing something else and don't have the time to drop everything and try to add to the song in that particular moment. When I try to pick it up later, I don't have the same energy and inspiration that I did before. I've found that the best thing to do is continue with the song if you have the time, and if you don't have the time at least try to recreate the moment you got the idea. For example, if you get an idea when you're at work and scribble it down somewhere quickly, journal about your day at work up until that point. If you get an idea while you're driving it might help to try finishing the song while you're sitting in the car or even go out for a drive. You won't be able to recreate the moment it came to you, but you can recreate the mindset you were in. It may sound difficult, but if you try it you'll find that it's easier than you think.
~Eliza
Motivation Level: 9
Before I get into the topic for this post, I want to make a quick note about Despite the Things You Say. I'm very anxious to share this song, but I'd really like to get it set to music so I can present it in an effective way. I do not want to post the lyrics before then. I'm also going to be making a dedication video in which I will be dedicating the song to the people who inspired it and explaining why I feel they needed to hear the message most.
The other day someone asked me how I get my ideas for songs. I've found that journaling helps me the most. Writing down what I'm feeling in the moment helps me have something to reference when I need an idea. So if I'm in a creative mood but I'm not coming up with any ideas yet, I start flipping through my journal and that usually helps a little bit. Even if there's nothing particularly exciting about an entry, I can usually come up with something based on what I wrote about how I was feeling that day.
When an idea does come to me I usually get the melody and the lyrics at the same time, which is rare for a lot of people, but for me it's rare to get just the lyrics or just the melody in a particular moment. They just come at the same time and I'm very grateful that my mind works in such a convenient way.
I will usually have a verse or a chorus that I'm happy with within a couple of minutes. After I get that verse or chorus, however, I often have difficulty adding to it. I'm happy with what I have, but completing the song in a way that flows well and makes sense is difficult.
The main reason for that is that when I get the original idea, which is usually only a few lines, I'm busy doing something else and don't have the time to drop everything and try to add to the song in that particular moment. When I try to pick it up later, I don't have the same energy and inspiration that I did before. I've found that the best thing to do is continue with the song if you have the time, and if you don't have the time at least try to recreate the moment you got the idea. For example, if you get an idea when you're at work and scribble it down somewhere quickly, journal about your day at work up until that point. If you get an idea while you're driving it might help to try finishing the song while you're sitting in the car or even go out for a drive. You won't be able to recreate the moment it came to you, but you can recreate the mindset you were in. It may sound difficult, but if you try it you'll find that it's easier than you think.
~Eliza
Monday, January 23, 2012
Defining my Priorities
As I think about how I want to move forward, I have to prioritize my projects and my time. What actions can I take right now to move forward? And what actions can I be taking in the near future to move forward?
The first thing I feel I need to do is increase my number of complete songs. My songbook has plenty of half songs that I wrote a verse or two for, but never finished. I need a more diverse selection of completed songs that I can start sharing with people. Having more incomplete songs than complete songs doesn't do me much good and won't get me very far.
The next thing I need to do is start taking steps to find composers and/or bands who have an interest in my songs. I don't play any instruments and can't afford to take lessons right now. I need to get in trouch with people who can set my songs to music and are willing to work with me.
Of these two priorities, I can get more specific about what I need to do to reach my goals. For example:
Priority 1-Completing More Songs
-Moments of Happy
-Anything to You
-Victim Card
Priority 2-Connecting with Composers
-Posting my Lyrics
-Singing my Songs
-Posting Ads to Find Anyone Interested
Not only have I identified my top two priorities, but I have also clarified the steps I'll take to complete these tasks. Each of these steps can be broken down even more to be more specific about what needs to be done, but what I have now serves the purpose of setting my priorities so I can reach my goals. I plan to make this a great year!
~Eliza
The first thing I feel I need to do is increase my number of complete songs. My songbook has plenty of half songs that I wrote a verse or two for, but never finished. I need a more diverse selection of completed songs that I can start sharing with people. Having more incomplete songs than complete songs doesn't do me much good and won't get me very far.
The next thing I need to do is start taking steps to find composers and/or bands who have an interest in my songs. I don't play any instruments and can't afford to take lessons right now. I need to get in trouch with people who can set my songs to music and are willing to work with me.
Of these two priorities, I can get more specific about what I need to do to reach my goals. For example:
Priority 1-Completing More Songs
-Moments of Happy
-Anything to You
-Victim Card
Priority 2-Connecting with Composers
-Posting my Lyrics
-Singing my Songs
-Posting Ads to Find Anyone Interested
Not only have I identified my top two priorities, but I have also clarified the steps I'll take to complete these tasks. Each of these steps can be broken down even more to be more specific about what needs to be done, but what I have now serves the purpose of setting my priorities so I can reach my goals. I plan to make this a great year!
~Eliza
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Recognizing Your Growth
A funny thing happened last night while I was going through some boxes I hadn't unpacked. I found my first songbook! There may have been some other notebooks that I had scribbled some songs in, but it was the first notebook I ever considered a songbook.
A few of the songs were pretty good, but most of them were absolutely horrible! It's amazing how differently I approach songwriting than I did six years ago.
Today I take it more seriously and back then it was something I did when I got bored and didn't have anything else to do. Still, the differences are incredible. And it's encouraging to realize how much I've improved and grown as a lyricist.
Take a moment today to look over some of your old songs. You'll probably be surprised to see how much you've changed and how much you've improved.
~Eliza
A few of the songs were pretty good, but most of them were absolutely horrible! It's amazing how differently I approach songwriting than I did six years ago.
Today I take it more seriously and back then it was something I did when I got bored and didn't have anything else to do. Still, the differences are incredible. And it's encouraging to realize how much I've improved and grown as a lyricist.
Take a moment today to look over some of your old songs. You'll probably be surprised to see how much you've changed and how much you've improved.
~Eliza
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Another Rejection
Passion Level: 10
Motivation Level: 10
A few days ago I received an email from the staff of the American Songwriter Lyrics Contest. The second song I submitted, Can't Take Away Who I Am, was not a winning entry.
I had confidence in both of the songs that I submitted, but after reading the winning entries I don't think my songs are well suited for this contest. I am debating whether I want to submit another song, but I doubt I will.
~Eliza
Motivation Level: 10
A few days ago I received an email from the staff of the American Songwriter Lyrics Contest. The second song I submitted, Can't Take Away Who I Am, was not a winning entry.
I had confidence in both of the songs that I submitted, but after reading the winning entries I don't think my songs are well suited for this contest. I am debating whether I want to submit another song, but I doubt I will.
~Eliza
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Success and a Failure
Passion Level: 10
Motivation Level: 8
My song fragments goal was not reached by the end of the year. I was able to complete "Way That I Can Understand" but I'm disappointed that I was unable to finish "Despite the Things You Say". The song is about half done. This song means a lot to me and has a very strong message. It's a message that I care about and want to share. It's about an issue I want to take a stand on.
So what do you do when you set a goal for yourself and then don't make it? You finish what you set out to do, no matter what day it is. And you put your excuses behind you.
The only reason I didn't reach my goal is because I got overwhelmed with other things that were happening in my life. If I want songwriting to become more than a hobby I can't make a habit of letting those kinds of things become excuses. Life happens. That should be an inspiration instead of a roadblock.
~Eliza
Motivation Level: 8
My song fragments goal was not reached by the end of the year. I was able to complete "Way That I Can Understand" but I'm disappointed that I was unable to finish "Despite the Things You Say". The song is about half done. This song means a lot to me and has a very strong message. It's a message that I care about and want to share. It's about an issue I want to take a stand on.
So what do you do when you set a goal for yourself and then don't make it? You finish what you set out to do, no matter what day it is. And you put your excuses behind you.
The only reason I didn't reach my goal is because I got overwhelmed with other things that were happening in my life. If I want songwriting to become more than a hobby I can't make a habit of letting those kinds of things become excuses. Life happens. That should be an inspiration instead of a roadblock.
~Eliza
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