Why Giving Up Is Essential To Songwriting Success

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Feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your songwriting? Can’t seem to figure out what to say? Let me give you some input.

Give up.

Close your laptop. Put down your guitar. Forget that piano riff that isn’t working.

Just give it up.

For now.

If you read my last post on the one habit that could save your songwriting, you may think I’m a bit schizophrenic.

Maybe I am. But let me explain.

I’ve been reading a great book on writing by Anne Lamott called “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” (affiliate link). In it she makes a stark observation about what we’ve come to call “writer’s block”:

“I no longer think of it as writer’s block. I think that is looking at the problem from the wrong angle. If your wife locks you out of the house, you don’t have a problem with your door. The word block suggests that you are constipated or stuck, when the truth is that you’re empty.”

I’m a fan of consistent writing. Wake up every day and write songs when you don’t feel like it. Put in your time. Be disciplined. But sometimes you just need to give up and get inspired. So what I mean when I say “give up” is to step away for a time and get inspired. Get filled.

You will never write great songs if you are empty.

You will never write great songs if you stop learning.

You will never write great worship songs if you don’t spend time with God.

You will never write great songs if you stop being curious about life.

What personally “fills my tank” is listening to interesting music, playing quality instruments, reading, the Bible, experiencing nature, and days off. I need consistent “rhythms of inspiration” in my life in order to be an effective songwriter.

Otherwise it’s as dry as a desert.

Question: So what do you do for inspiration? What fills your tank and inspires your writing? You can leave a comment by clicking here.