I write because I write because I write…

I won’t lie – as a songwriter, Writer’s Block has given me a beating a time or two… I’ll find myself holding a guitar, & there’s just NOTHING. What do you do?

My oldest fought with this a few months back at school. His teacher was concerned because he wasn’t finishing stories during writing time. During our face-to-face after school he explained, “I just didn’t have any good ideas.”

So I told him, “Just. Write.”

When you’re facing a blank page, or screen, the best way to put cuffs on Writer’s Block, & escort him from the room is by JUST WRITING. One word follows another – one sentence follows the next. They don’t have to be good – they don’t even need to make sense. Free write until something interesting unintentionally emerges, then chase that down! My son’s doing much better in writing class now.

Personally, it helps to keep my writing varied. I’ve not only written upwards of 600 songs in my life, but have also worked on a children’s fiction novel, a semi-autobiographical “magical realism” piece (which is almost finished), outlined & written “at” one Christian Living book, a Sci-Fi film script that about 50% complete, almost completed an e-book due soon, & have published regular articles/columns in 7 different print magazines, & 4 more online zines. That’s how I “just write”, to keep the ideas flowing.

Towards the end of 2013 I began co-authoring one of my wife’s bi-monthly columns, NOISEMAKERS, in the Golden Isles Magazine, which shortly there-after became my column. Not only does the regular writing keep me sharp, I also learn something from every musician I’m blessed to interview, & I love it. I’m linking a number of those columns below in hopes you, too, might be encouraged by what these fellow creatives have to offer. All photos previously printed in the Golden Isles Magazine. Happy reading, & KEEP WRITING!

Screen shot 2015-01-26 at 12.35.38 PM NOISEMAKERS: August York; Golden Isles Magazine, Jan/Feb ’14, pg. 78-79 (co-authored w/ Cyle Augusta)