Mary Gauthier - Saved by a Song

[WarpCanada]

Just finished reading a great book on songwriting by Mary Gauthier who wrote a song I love, "Mercy Now" and many other great songs.

I highly recommend it if you want some ideas and encouragement on developing your craft as a songwriter.

Mary describes herself as a troubador. Think Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger.

The book is personal, and biographical, but quite rich in insights, and she makes her process and her values clear and explains where she thinks the power and authenticity comes from; No big secret here. It has to be the real you.  Not the superficial self, but a deeper self that takes some work to get to know.   If you think what you're writing is trite; maybe it is. But you can work and find better or more true to you ways to say and do what you're saying and doing in your songs.

I don't think there's any formula; no two songs and no two songwriters are the same.  But Mary sees herself as a "song encourager" and if you could use some encouragement, maybe give this a read.

Warren