Descriptions are so hard. It’s hard enough getting all the important details down (including the ones I just take for granted as being there), let alone drawing my audience into the setting, making them feel like they’re in the world with my characters, caring for the same things. And once I feel like I’ve finallyContinue reading “A Lesson in Vivid Descriptions from Captain Phoebus”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Five Writing Tips for Newbies
I have to admit, I feel unqualified to be giving writing tips. I’m struggling to think of some (and this seemed like such a good idea two weeks ago…) and feeling called out by each of them XD. But these are the tips that have, I think, helped me the most so far. I hopeContinue reading “Five Writing Tips for Newbies”
Five Songwriting Tips for Newbies
Someone asked me for songwriting tips the other day, and I realised I don’t have any really specific tips on my blog. I always thought that I couldn’t write a list of songwriting tips because I don’t have decades of songwriting experience! But maybe it’ll be helpful for songwriting newbies to hear some tips fromContinue reading “Five Songwriting Tips for Newbies”
The Purpose of Music According to Glück
I just submitted an essay for my history class, which I wrote on the composer Christoph Willibald von Gluck. Yes, I’m one of those weird people who find history essays interesting, and since Gluck had some good thoughts on music and opera, I thought I’d share some of my essay with you. (Don’t worry, IContinue reading “The Purpose of Music According to Glück”
Behind ‘Giants’
A few years ago, I was walking through the city of Melbourne with my family. The sky was a blue-grey just lighter than the dirty tarmac, and eventually the clouds cracked and started to drizzle. I looked up, and suddenly it struck me how high up the sky is. I tipped my head back, strainingContinue reading “Behind ‘Giants’”
Recording Songs and Rethinking Posts
Last post, I wrote about my first song and how far my songwriting has come since then. The timing couldn’t have been better. All through the next week, the words were ringing in my head… embrace the cringe… That week, I recorded a few of my songs for the first time. In our last post,Continue reading “Recording Songs and Rethinking Posts”
Embrace The Cringe!
Around this time last year, I found an old folder in my music cupboard that held notes of some of the first songs I’d ever written. Naturally, I set it on my piano’s music stand and started playing through them… The first song I ever wrote (and wrote down) was based on a book IContinue reading “Embrace The Cringe!”
Book Review: Writing Better Lyrics (Second Edition)
You have to love those books that leave you feeling both overwhelmed by how little you knew, as well as excited by what you can now do. Pat Pattison’s songwriting method is intense and eye-opening, but his final lyrics speak for themselves. What is it about? Writing Better Lyrics is a how-to guide to bringingContinue reading “Book Review: Writing Better Lyrics (Second Edition)”
The Sentries of Parnagie Hill
An original poem Down from the mountains, an odd pair they come,Relieved from the watch they have kept since autumnA cry from the city rings through the spring chill,‘Here’s two more—the sentries from Parnagie Hill!’ And in through the gates, with a spring in their step,Stroll two men in breastplate, dark armour and capSmelling ofContinue reading “The Sentries of Parnagie Hill”
The Stories You Tell – Stories that Matter
On my home page, you’ve probably seen the button that says ‘join my email list!’ Maybe you’ve signed up, or maybe you’re wondering what it is. My email list is where I send updates on my blog, writing, songwriting, and where I can tell a few stories I don’t have songs for. But, even betterContinue reading “The Stories You Tell – Stories that Matter”
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