Hi there, I rec'd this today from:

Susan Tucker
The Songwriters Connection

[address removed] 

I don't necessarily agree with, or endorse, ALL of these (negatively stated) points . . . but this is rather thought provoking, eh?  ~Ty

 

How to Avoid Making Art (or Anything Else You Enjoy) written by Julia Cameron, (author of The Artist's Way) offers a humorous approach to the fine art of procrastination.  Below is list I (Susan Tucker) am paraphrasing which applies directly to the songwriter's mindset which gets in the way of our creativity.  Keep it handy when you're looking for a good excuse:

* Always attempt to write a hit
* Tell everyone why it's so difficult for you to write songs
* Hang around people who will be glad to tell you why a career as a songwriter won't work
* Tell yourself that you need perfect conditions to work
* Answer the phone when you're in the middle of writing
* Always compare your work to others
* Nurture others instead of concentrating on you own creativity
* Refuse to attend live performances by the pros to study what makes them successful
* Avoid spending time in major music cities
* Only write in chemical or alcohol induced states
* Curb your enthusiasm and ideas whenever possible
* Only write complex, complicated songs that mean something only to you
* Realize it is too expensive to take your songs to the next level (demos, better microphones, etc.)
* Talk about songwriting instead of doing it
* Realize how selfish you are for following your dreams
* Only listen to those who teach, but do not do
* Realize that all menial things have priority over your songwriting
* Only co-write with those who know less about songwriting than you do
* Take it to heart when relatives say why it won't work
* Share your successes with people who'll dampen them
* Demand perfection from yourself
* Only write what's never been written before
* Tell yourself that your job keeps you from songwriting
* Focus on the dreams of others, not your own
* Begin each writing session asking, "How much can I make off of this?"
* Tell yourself that you are too old, or too young, to do what you love
* Watch TV
* Hang out with those who drain your creativity
* Spend more time answering e-mail or watching YouTube than writing
* Be oblivious to the motives of those who criticize your songs
* Volunteer for everything that distracts you from your music
* Know that housework and home projects are more important than your songwriting
* Spend more time at the office
* Choose friends whose depression is contagious
* Tell yourself you can't afford supporting your music (then buy a new flat screen TV)
* Always suffer for your music. If it's fun, it must be wrong
* Concentrate on your "Big Break." Pay no attention to little victories
* Discount all praise. Take criticism to heart.
* Realize you'll be homeless if you pursue your music
* Only write in styles/genres in which you are comfortable
* Admit you can't be successful in your hometown
* Make other's problems your own, so your energy is depleted
* Admit that you can only write songs with your family's approval
* Tell yourself you can only have artistic freedom if you leave your wife, your kids, your state
* Tell yourself that songwriting is frivolous
* Fill your writing space with distractions
* Only choose songwriting mentors who are jaded and disillusioned
* Don't write songs, read about how to write songs
* Always fear the security of leaving your day job
* Never take feedback seriously
* Keep from rewriting at all costs
* Realize your songs are too good for critique
* Realize your songs aren't good enough to critique
* Make an expensive purchase so you have to work overtime to pay for it
* Spend an excessive amount for time with your significant other
* Avoid solitude and daydreaming
* Decide that you first need to first live a colorful life in order to be a writer
* Spend time posing and being seen instead of writing
* Never complete a song more than once every two months or so
 

 

 

 

 

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