You never know, that piece of paper you threw in the bin might have contained THE song that defines you as a performer, artist or writer. It might have needed a few drafts but it still could've been there.
I know that the idea of ideas being infinite and sacred sounds either paradoxical or steeped in religion but its neither of those.
Ideas are infinite because they are everywhere, you just have to allow yourself to be perceptive to them. One person may see a leaf falling from a tree and not think twice about it while someone else may see the falling leaf as a metaphor for freedom and a song comes from that.
If you take the view that ideas are infinite then you stop being protective of the songs that you have written and allow them to breathe, to be listened to and to be performed. You also stop yourself having the view that everything that you write has to be good.
Remember, if you write a song that you are not sure of dont throw it away, leave it and go onto something else. You will always think of another idea (if you allow yourself to that is).
Ideas are sacred because they come from you. That alone is a reason for keeping everything that you write. Throwing away a song is throwing away a part of you.
You should be proud of your songs whether they are good or bad. The good songs are the ones you perform and the not so good ones should be acknowledged as the stepping stones that they are and besides, you can always go back to them later.
Its ok to write a song about world peace, its ok to write a song about love and its also ok to write a song about a falling leaf. As long as it comes from you that's what matters.
Until next time, happy writing,
Corey Stewart
Songwriter/Musician
writing, songwriting, songwriting tip, songwriting and the guitar, songwriting help, songwriting idea, songwriting technique, songwriting basics, free songwriting tip, corey stewart
But saving everything...scary thought. I'm too likely to DO THAT.
R