Brian Hobbs Music

Every once in a while I’ll post some of my own thoughts about creativity, stories or poems, along with other people’s stories and poems that I like.

This first entry is by me. It’s an excerpt from my book, THE CRAFT OF CREATING, which will be available on this site soon. Hopefully it will help you writers out there who get bogged down in the writing process.

Why write?

Why do we write? For some it is to express our innermost selves. For others it’s about fame and fortune. For someone else it might be about revenge. For many it’s the only way they think they can gain immortality. Whatever the motive, the important thing to remember is that writing takes courage. What we say everyday in passing conversation literally flies away like the wind. It is seldom remembered. But once those words are put down in a tangible form the entire world has access to our thoughts and to what we say. Those melodies that we hum in the shower or while we’re out walking the dog suddenly become living, breathing entities once we record them. We put them out there for the world, which means that we open ourselves up to all kinds of criticism and hurt. Someone once that that true writers don’t write because they want to: they write because they have to. I believe that’s true.

 We all want to tell a story or make a statement. To be honest, have you ever met someone who thought they didn’t have a great idea for a story or song? Maybe a few, but the majority of people want to write that song about their break-up with Mr. or Miss Right, to write that story or novel about their childhood and all their wacky, unique friends. The difference between these people and writers is quite simple. Writers don’t sit around “wanting to write,” they do write. 

 It all starts with an idea. The “idea” phase is usually not that difficult. The execution of the idea is what makes us writers. How many songs have you heard called “I love you”? I’ll bet at least thousands. Each of those writers may have started with the same initial idea but the majority of those songs are executed in totally different ways. As writers, that’s what we have to try to do. We have to take ideas and concepts that have been around forever (that’s what makes things universal) and turn them into something new using our own unique voice (that’s what makes them personal and specific). How do we do this? I can’t teach you to write. You have to do that job yourself. What I hope to be able to help you with is a few tips for getting started, some guidelines for quality control and also help you to keep on good terms with your muse (inspiration).

 A good place to start is working to find the balance between something that is both universal and personal.

 Here are some themes that are quite common in popular songs:

•  Regret – if I had just one more night with you, I want you back, etc.
•  Joy- I never knew what living was until I found you, or until I got rid of you
•  Sadness- since you left me life has been so empty
•  Revenge- you left me and I hope one day he/she leaves you so you know how I feel, I found something so much better than you
• Chance- there are no guarantees but let’s try, tonight is the night, etc.

 I think all of us have experienced those feelings or situations and the majority of our listeners have as well. The key is taking a subject and processing it using our own experiences and emotions but also making sure that other people can relate to it.

 Things to remember:

•  An idea is just that- an idea. You have to make it into something tangible
•  Wanting to write is not the same as writing.
•  Try to find a balance between what is personal and universal.
•  Take an old theme and give it a new twist.

 EXERCISE:

 Try taking one of the situations listed above and write a lyric based on your own experiences. Don’t worry about form or rhyme or trying to find a title. Just write the feeling.

 Once you have that, write the same situation from another point of view. Try to get inside someone else’s head and write from their perspective.

 Compare the two pieces and look at the differences: what is universal about both? What is specific?

 A good lyric is going to contain personal details but not to the extent that only YOU the writer can relate to the writing. It has to contain some feelings and descriptions that are universal as well. Of course if the lyric is too universal or generic the listener will lose interest.

 Take another look at your original lyric idea. If it has too many personal details or is just too generic, rewrite it to try to find a balance between the two.