Gotta write that song…pronto!

I’ve a big proponent of deadlines. Always good to have an end in sight when you’re writing, or you’ll just noodle till the cows come home. As a project planner extraordinaire, I decided to start recording an eight-song CD in mid-July. The problem? I still only have seven songs. And that last song ain’t coming easy.

Last week I finished a tune that feels too sappy. This week I completed a song that appears to give off a completely different impression than I had hoped. I feel back to square one — and the deadline is looming.

It’s okay, though! This is what deadlines are all about. Rather than letting my writing frustration lie for the next few weeks, I’ll be forced to muddle through it and come up with something I like, even if it means sitting down every morning for the next 30 days and writing.

That is, after I get home from my vacation I’m starting this weekend. Roadtrip! Then…songwriting, songwriting, songwriting.

Do you know what I mean? Let me know!

Tagged as: deadlines, songwriting

  • http://www.helenaustin.com Helen Austin

    The deadline will make you do it!!! And the song will probably come out of nowhere unexpected… that’s what I find!

    Empty your mind and just see what comes out!

    Good luck with the CD!

  • http://www.cerebellumblues.com Jeff Shattuck

    Don’t wait until you get back from vacation. Bring a notepad with you and a guitar (or a little portable keyboard) and, at the very least, capture an ideas you might have. You’ll be relaxed, happy, in other words, you’ll be in the best mindset possible for being creative. Save the hard work of making the demo for when you get home.

  • http://tcelliott.blogspot.com/ T.C. Elliott

    Do your best. You can do no more.

    Can I ask why 8 songs? Why not 7 or 9? Do the 7 songs you have feel incomplete?
    When thinking of an cd I generally picture 12-14 songs with the rare 9-10 song disc and sometimes a disc with bonus material amounting to more than 14 tracks. But right around 12.
    For an E.P. I think 5-6 although I’ve seen more and less. So with that many songs I can certainly see the problem of whittling down a song list to make the track number conform. But I’m not sure that if I had seven solid songs I’d want another… or rather I know I’d want another but if one weren’t forthcoming I’m not sure I’d stress about it. I’m truly interested in your perspective on the track number for the project.
    Thanks,
    T.C.

  • http://kerriarista.com kerri

    ah, yes, deadlines are so very helpful. and sometimes fun to watch as they zoom past me.

    well, good luck finding your 8th song! :)