Before you get over it, save some for the band

As a songwriter I find that the best lyrics, come from the most painful moments in life. The times that I felt so much emotion were the times where I had the best song ideas. However, since these feelings are so real and raw, obviously, it's not easy to get into the writing spirit. Its probably the hardest part of being a songwriter. You have to fight and discipline yourself to be able to keep standing even though you want to lie in bed and cry.

There was a time when I was just in such a bad place, so hurt, and all i wanted to do was just talk to someone about it, and maybe I could get it off my chest and get over it or at least to just lie down in bed and think myself into getting over it. And eventually I did, but only now do I realize that I actually took the easy way out. Crying is the easiest way out but theres no honour in choosing that path.

I found a technique that helped me out, was simply writing in a journal or diary. You can either simply write the story of what happened, your thoughts, or notes, anything that symbolizes how you really feel. I tried to find the root of the problem and used brainstormed ideas that would help me feel better. Eventually I had a list of points that I couldn't have thought about just in my head while its all clouded with flashbacks of a memory.

By being able to sort out problems on paper, you're able to clear your head. You dump everything in your brain on to paper, then you can pick what you want to put back in your head, what you want to think about , and jsut keep reading it to yourself.

Once you get over it, you at least have some evidence of your success in case you have a relapse (which happens a lot), but also you have some notes that can help you out when you want to write a song about it without forgetting your true, real, raw, original feelings and emotions that you expressed in your writings.

So guys next time you're in a bad situation, don't cry about it, instead, try to capitalize on this moment, as a chance to write a heartfelt song, and just hold on, be strong, and try to write down as much as you can about the situation before you go to bed and cry it all away!