Writing

Confession: I haven’t written a song since November. GAH.  I don’t want anyone to know that!  I am such a fraud. I feel like a snail – one that has been left out in the brutal sunshine, shriveled up inside its flimsy shell.  I feel no inspiration.  I have no ideas. Oh, sure.  One might…

I write every day.  For me, it’s like drinking water, or breathing air – I have to do it, or I feel like I’m going to fade away.  Sometimes the things that I write get posted here, sometimes they turn into songs – or scraps of songs, sometimes they exist for my eyes only.  And…

“If you had no job, you could be so productive!” This is basically the biggest lie since “There are no cats in America.” I believed it. I fell for it. I spent my working days fantasizing about all that I could get done if I didn’t have a job: reading, writing, exercising, cooking, cleaning, organizing…

I’ve spent the morning writing letters – real letters, hand-written letters. And I am convinced that nothing is better for the soul. Lord Byron has a great quote: “Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company.” That man is speaking my language. There is something so special, so personal, about the…

Last week, the stars aligned. First, my friend Debbie dropped me an email, seemingly out of the blue, asking me if I read any Annie Dillard. My reaction: does Rick Astley shake his groove thang? Annie Dillard is breathtaking – one of my favorite writers. Her “Living Like Weasels” makes me want to throw a…

I said that I moved to Nashville to learn. So last night, in light of yesterday’s lament, I steered my little Honda toward 3rd & Lindsley to listen to music and see who I might meet. It’s always intimidating to walk into a bar alone, but as long as you have good posture, no one…

Imagine that I weigh 300 lbs. Got it? Okay. Now imagine that I have a sprained ankle. And asthma. And flip flops on my feet. And it’s 113 degrees outside. Now, put me in the middle of a pack of marathon runners with fabulously long legs and handy water bottle packs strapped around their waists….

Last night, I had a job interview that lasted an hour and a half. This potential employer and I talked spiritedly and candidly about everything from music to the environment to Telluride to writing to disappointment to, strangely, even Jesus. It was surreal, and wonderful, and stimulating. The job is something that I could excel…

“Rule #1: when all else fails, follow instructions. And Rule #2: don’t be an asshole.” (Anne Lamott, Plan B)“It’s not a crime to be an asshole, but it’s very counter-productive.” (Hancock) – – – – – – – – I thrive on words. I read novels slowly and carefully, savoring the phrases, and underlining sentences…

Here it is – the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Or… at least the moment I’ve been TALKING UP. I have 4 brand spankin’ new songs up on MySpace – you can listen here. Initially, I had thought that a simple guitar/vocal demo would be sufficient – just me and my Martin. But having…