Keep It Real – Make It Personal

As a writer, I tend to have other writers as friends and we often share our work, usually still in draft form, with each other for feedback. This provides a unique view into the writing process that helps us grow as writers. In every piece a friend gives me to read, I can pretty much always find that friend buried somewhere the words in some way, big or small. It gives me the chance to crawl inside my friends’ minds and see how they approach their stories and what little bits of themselves they use to flavor the details. Continue reading “Keep It Real – Make It Personal”

Master Class from a Master Lyricist

If you’re planning to be in the LA area this winter and are ready to take your lyric-writing to the next level, hurry over to the UCLA Extension website and register for Marty Panzer’s Master Class: Writing Lyrics that Succeed and Endure. The upcoming winter 2008 class features the Sixth Annual Concord Records Scholarship, where six students will receive additional classes and a private, one-on-one mentor session with Marty. Continue reading “Master Class from a Master Lyricist”

Open Call for Musical Theatre Lovers: Attention Book Writers, Composers, and Lyricists

Do you want to hone your musical theatre writing skills while getting feedback from professionals and your colleagues? Do you want to learn the ins and outs of writing for musical theatre? Then, you owe it to yourself to check out the Academy for New Musical Theatre (ANMT). Continue reading “Open Call for Musical Theatre Lovers: Attention Book Writers, Composers, and Lyricists”

Who Inspires You, Baby?

After attending numerous workshops and lectures by fellow writers & other creative folks, I’ve decided the number one question asked during the Q&A sessions is “What’s your inspiration?” There’s ALWAYS at least one person in the audience who can’t resist asking this and often more. They just repackage it, sometimes ad nauseam. The question’s so prevalent that it’s become a running joke between my collaborator, composer Peter Michael von der Nahmer, and me. So, I decided to analyze it. Continue reading “Who Inspires You, Baby?”

Get Schock-ed

If you’re interested in becoming a great songwriter, Harriet Schock is your go-to gal. Not only is she an amazing songwriter herself but she’s also an amazing songwriting coach and mentor. Harriet created one of the best step-by-step writing programs you’re likely to find. Using her techniques, you’ll break through the stumbling blocks that hold you back from creating unique and powerful songs that say exactly what you want. She offers her classes either privately or in a group setting. Plus, you can also learn online or by correspondence…whatever suits your needs and location. Visit Harriet’s website and begin your journey. You won’t regret it.