I’ve found, though, that there are frequently two distinct stages to writing a song. It can be helpful – and freeing – to know which stage you’re in.

In Stage 1 you’re playing in a sandbox. You’re a kid, even a baby. Even if your ideas are themselves quite serious and adult, you need to give that kid freedom. Don’t judge. Let the ideas roll. Doesn’t matter if they’re mostly or all bad – you’ve usually got to write the bad to get to the good. You can figure out the distinction later, when you’re in Stage 2.

For now you just try to get in a flow and let whatever happens happen. Have fun; feel the joy of writing (not necessarily writing well; just writing.)

Then, when that’s over… the adult comes into the room. The Editor. That’s Stage 2. (Usually for me this is on a different day than Stage 1.)

This is the time to go over everything carefully and ask the hard questions: Is there anything good here? Keep that, put the rest to the side. What’s promising and can be improved?

I think this is a key part of writing that’s underemphasized. That is, being truly rigorous with the inquisition of what’s already written. It can be so hard to be honest, to listen to that voice I don’t want to hear tell me that something can be better (even if I don’t know how – yet) and to keep at it.

Sometimes you’re wearing the Writer’s hat – fun-loving, fancy free, impulsive, let it all hang out. Then you put on the Editor’s hat – tough, no-bullshit, do whatever it takes, squeeze as hard as you have to to make it as good as it can be.

Of course, you can and probably will go back and forth between one stage and the other as you move along. You don’t often do Stage 1 on a song and then never have to explore again. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that the ‘editor’ part isn’t also creative. It is; it’s just different.

I’ve found it useful to be aware of where I am in the process.

When I’m freely wandering… keep the critical adult out of the room.

When I’m rigorously evaluating… don’t pay too much attention to the kid who’s fascinated by and attached to something unhelpful to the song.

Ultimately, past all ‘stages’, listen to the song. It’ll usually tell me what it needs… if I’m willing to listen.

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