As a singer, writing is an act of vulnerability, laying my heart on the butcher's block. The process of crafting a song is elusive, akin to trying to fetch water with a basket. Each song emerges differently, starting long before the first pen stroke or keyboard clack.
Perhaps it begins the moment your eyes meet another person, igniting a rush of memories and dreams. It could be the way light dances on falling leaves in October or a baby's gummy smile that transports you back to cherished childhood moments. Sometimes, it’s as simple as seeing a towel hanging, evoking the freshness of a morning shower.
Song ideas can be triggered by countless moments, spanning time and space. It’s a songwriter's responsibility to navigate the landscape of memories, dreams, and reality, pulling together threads that weave a tapestry across these divides. Maybe it’s the frustration of a partner’s loud chewing, or the melancholy that washes over you when reflecting on lost moments. It might be the thrill of a new adventure that ignites creativity or even a bird perched on a crooked branch.
I like to think of songwriting as vibe photography, capturing a mood through words and melody. This mood is an amalgamation of sensory perceptions. Before a feeling materializes in a song, it exists as a physical entity perceived by the senses. Passion is first a color; love, a smile; and motivation, a model's six pack on Instagram. An artist's work reflects her mind’s filter—she only writes what resonates within her.
When an idea strikes, I jot it down quickly, having learned that ideas often float in the collective consciousness, seeking a home. When the right mental arrangement aligns, these ideas come to life as songs. But if I wait too long, they may pass to another creative mind. Concepts are alive, seeking expression in the physical realm. When I’m fortunate enough to capture an idea, I enjoy solidifying it into verse, chorus, and bridge as soon as possible.
Although words can be elusive, there are ways to invite a steady stream of inspiration. An artist can train her mind to seek specific stimuli, filtering them through her unique lens. This begins with embracing individuality and achieving a state of equilibrium. Once the stage is set, the artist actively seeks out physical and mental stimuli that nurture the words she wishes to convey.
Ideas are the pollinators of the mind, multiplying creativity. Like a garden, a flower attracts a bee only when it's ready. Diligence in cultivating thoughts, actions, and habits aligned with one’s desires yields a bountiful harvest of songs that satisfy and express the writer's intentions.
Flowers of generosity bear fruits of kindness; flowers of persistence foster wholeness; flowers of criticism yield judgment; flowers of pride give birth to vanity; and barren earth breeds indifference.
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