The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success

by Susan Tucker, Allworth Press

Hit songwriters share their secrets on inspiration, creative techniques, career moves and the music business in this collection of interviews. Fifteen of the nation's most talented tune-smiths give personal accounts of how they create their works, what their songs mean to them, and how they keep their creativity flowing. Topics covered during the 54-question interviews range from personal sources of inspiration, notions of creativity, and the various stages of the writing process to the pros and cons of co-writing, the taming of the inner critic, and the challenges of a song writing career. Readers will find advice on how to nurture their creative thinking, develop a healthy balance between creative work and personal life, and find their unique voice in the songwriting world.

Genres: Music

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Garrett Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Should have been re-titled as "Secrets of Contemporary Country Songwriting." This book has some useful insights from its participants, but overall it's entirely forgettable and not very helpful to those looking at the craft of songwriting instead of the lifestyle.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved that it had personal essays from songwriters, but most were country and Nashville-based. Understandable as country has AMAZING songwriters, but still could have touched base on other genres.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. All of these songwriters are stellar. Awesome book. Necessary writing tool.