Why I Wrote a Book about Songwriting

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 Click here for more info on “A Practical Guide to Creative Songwriting”

In my many encounters with both aspiring and accomplished songwriters, it became apparent to me there’s one thing that nearly all writers wish they had more of: inspiration.

I am no exception. I know the frustration wanting desperately to write a song, but just not “feeling it”. I also know the joy of feeling like an entire song falls out of nowhere, and have longed for that to happen more frequently.

I figured that when I’m feeling uninspired, I must just not be looking hard enough. I wondered if there was a way to train the mind to see inspiration where it might previously have been overlooked. I started taking note of any techniques that helped me to get inspired and write more (and better) songs.

Then, when I started hosting songwriting workshops last year, I formulated specific exercises designed to help attendees overcome any obstacles they might face in their attempts at songwriting. I saw how well these techniques worked, and realised that there are probably lots of songwriters, of varying levels of experience, who could also benefit from them. Thus, I decided to put them into a book!

I didn’t write the book because I think I’m the best songwriter in the world, and you’re all just playing for second. I didn’t write it because I think you suck at songwriting and need my help. I didn’t write it to make thousands of dollars (although that would be nice). I wrote it because I found methods that work, and I wanted to share them. Also, I’ve always wanted to write (and finish) a book, so now I can cross that off my bucket list!

If you have any questions about the book, please feel free to ask them in the comments section below!

Buy Now!

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Comes with a free workbook:

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My New E-Book: A Practical Guide to Creative Songwriting

 

Attention, Songwriters!

 

WANT TO OVERCOME WRITER’S BLOCK?

Learn how with “A Practical Guide to Creative Songwriting”

 

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Dear fellow songwriter,

What if I told you that inspiration is within reach at all times?
Every songwriter has experienced those dreaded occasions when writing or finishing a song feels like pulling teeth. All writers wish that inspiration would be available to them whenever they require it. This book shows you how to proactively seek out inspiration, instead of just waiting around for it to fall into your lap.

Tried and tested tips and techniques!
This book covers a wide array of songwriting principles, ranging from the basic to the more advanced. These include:

  • How to write songs that you can be in love with
  • The power of imagery
  • How to strike a balance between obscure and obvious
  • Solo writing VS co-writing
  • Developing your pre-production skills
  • The importance of keeping a notebook
  • How to create a clear definition between sections

…and many more!

12 simple exercises designed to stimulate creativity!
These easy exercises were designed to help you get inspired and learn how to write songs that you can really love.

How do I know that these methods work?
Like any writer, I’ve experienced my fair share of writer’s block! The tips and exercises contained in this book are based on techniques that I developed in order to overcome my own creative dry-patches. One of the exercises even led to me winning first place in the 16th Annual Barleycorn Songwriters’ Competition. Since then, I’ve taught these principles in songwriting workshops, and have witnessed first-hand the amazing results they yield when properly implemented.

All the tools you need to overcome writer’s block for just $10.00!
The information contained in this book is worth much more than $10.00. But I don’t want anything to stand between you and your next great song, so I’ve chosen to make it available at an extremely affordable price.

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Printable workbook, absolutely FREE!
Keep all your exercises contained in one handy location with the free printable workbook. Each exercise is clearly laid out with a workspace below, to make completing the exercises even simpler!

30-day money-back guarantee.
I’m confident that you won’t be disappointment with this book. However, if it doesn’t live up to your expectations, contact me within 30 days of purchasing the book and I will give you all your money back. I’m taking a huge risk by doing this – I can’t get the book back from you. You could just buy the book and ask for your money back before ever even reading it. But I’m choosing to trust your integrity, and believe that you will do the honest thing.

Become a better songwriter today!
We all want to become more skilled at our craft. After all, who wants to be average? Purchase “A Practical Guide to Creative Songwriting” using the order form below and start learning how to write songs that are far from ordinary!

Buy Now!

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FREE Printable Workbook

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Tips, techniques and exercises to help you become a better songwriter

 

Over 1000 Views For The “Am I Lost” Music Video!

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I was super stoked today to discover that the official music video for Am I Lost has passed the 1000 view mark on Youtube! Thank you so much to everyone who has watched and shared the video.

Next goal: 2000 views! Please help us achieve this by watching and sharing the video on Facebook and Twitter, via email, in person – however you can!

Thanks again – you guys rock!
Mali.xxx

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7i2LUltcYw

 

Photo courtesy of Warren Fleming.

Songs of June Update

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Last week I wrote about the fact that I felt bad for failing to upload all thirty of my “Songs of June. I started off well, but then life got busy and I lost momentum! Also, it’s harder not to get perfectionistic about it when you’ve given yourself longer than 24 hours between conception and recording! But I always try to be a woman of my word, and given that I’ve been promising people for a while that I would eventually finish recording and uploading the songs, I figured that it’s about time I made good on that promise.

So, I’m very excited to inform you that the talented folks at Glory to God Motion Pictures, who did an amazing job on our official music video for Am I Lost, have offered to help us film the Songs of June! Which means that rather than recording in my bedroom on my laptop, we’ll be able to shoot the thirty videos in a variety of cool locations!

We will begin filming the videos this Tuesday, so stay tuned! My plan is to upload one video per week, most likely every Sunday.

I’m so excited to share this journey with you – this time to completion!

Thanks for your patience!
Mali.xxx

 

Photo courtesy of George Landon.

Songwriting Saturday: Five Songwriters Who Write Consistently Great Melodies

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As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, melody is an extremely important (yet often overlooked) component of songwriting. A good melody will help relate your central story/message, and will stir up certain emotions relevant to that story/message. It will linger in people’s memories in a non-irritating way, making them feel the need to listen to the song again.

The best way to learn how to write great melodies is to listen to lots of great melodies!

Here are five artists who have mastered the art of melody-writing:

1. Paul McCartney. The king of melodies! He has an amazingly natural knack for making a tune memorable, singable and beautiful.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_APcTyIUg

 

2. Sarah McLachlen. Sarah was my “Inspiring Artist of the Week” yesterday, partly due to her melody-writing skills.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqps9ZdMxs0

 

3. Jon Foreman. I know I mention Jon Foreman quite a lot, but that’s because he’s such a great writer, who has mastered all three components of songwriting (melody, lyrics and chord progression). His melodies make me go funny inside.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlS7qqMGA98

 

4. Coldplay/Chris Martin. I’m not the world’s biggest Coldplay fan (although I LOVE their first two albums), but they sure do write great melodies. (Their songs are credited to the whole band, so although I suspect that Chris Martin is the main writer, I can’t say this with certainty.)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MwjX4dG72s

 

5. Marc Scibilia. Never heard a melody of his that I didn’t like. Each one is perfectly suited to the song in question.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDos081BP0Q

 

I recommend you listen to lots of songs by the above artists in order to develop a good understanding of what makes a great melody. You can then apply that knowledge in your own writing.

What about you? Which artists write melodies that make you melt? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

Photo courtesy of Trey Jones.