The Most Useful Piece of Songwriting Advice I've Learned...

by Dee Worley
(Columbia MO)

Stephen Nicks taught a class that I attended and one of the most important things that I learned from him was that as a songwriter you must ALWAYS be prepared to capture inspiration.

Think of your pen and paper or your recorder, (whatever you use to capture ideas) as your must have tools, and they should go EVERYWHERE with you.

Never wait until later to record that idea, for later it may have escaped never to return. Sadly, I have found out the hard way that his advice was spot on.

Waking up in the middle of the night with an idea it is easy to convince yourself that you WILL remember it in the morning, that you really don't need to get up and write it down or record it right now. Don't be lazy-- get up or lose it!

Believe me, after losing some great ideas, I now get up and get them on paper or recorded before I get back in bed. Always be ready.