How to Write a Song With Jill and Kate

How to Write a Song With Jill and Kate

Jill and Kate were singing “Behind These Hazel Eyes” at a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles when Kelly Clarkson walked in. They ended up singing as backup singers for her for six years until they stepped out from the back of the stage to the front of the stage, singing their own songs.

I love their sound, and their original lyrics.

I was so curious to know how they wrote their songs—how they do what they do, how they create their music.

Singers are writers. Writers who sing their words. I want to introduce Jill and Kate to you and to share their writing process. It might be helpful to you if you write songs, or would like to write songs.

Join The Second Annual Wacky Writing Prompt Scavenger Hunt (and win silly prizes)

Join The Second Annual Wacky Writing Prompt Scavenger Hunt (and win silly prizes)

The world still needs more silly. That’s why we want to invite you to please join us for The Second Annual Wacky Writing Prompt Scavenger Hunt. We will randomly choose three participants to win a new Moleskine notebook, a red Swingline stapler, or a pair of rubber gloves.

You don’t have to have fun if you don’t want to. I don’t even mind if you whine a little bit. I won’t even make you brush your teeth before you start the game. And I won’t make you clean my seven litter boxes.

Still—please have fun. Fun is good. So is pizza.

6 Ways to Let Go of Past Writing and Create Something New

6 Ways to Let Go of Past Writing and Create Something New

Our past writing can keep us from writing now. We may feel discouraged and not write if we think our past writing was horrible. Or maybe we think we were brilliant and not write because we feel we can never write that well again. Or maybe we think we are better at being typists for our cats than we are at writing our own stories.

I met a writer last week, Sheila, who destroyed her past writing. She told me she had just shredded everything she ever wrote—journals, poetry, and short stories. I asked her if she still had the shredded paper. I wanted it.

How to Write a First Draft

How to Write a First Draft

Do you have a book inside of you?

No, I didn’t mean, “Did you eat a book?” I meant, “Is there a book you have always wanted to write?”

I have several books inside of me. And they will stay inside of me until I can figure how to write a first draft.

These Cats Share Why Writers Are Readers

These Cats Share Why Writers Are Readers

Don’t you just hate being told what to do? I hate it. Absolutely hate it. However, I am going to tell you if you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader too.

I know. I know. Who has time to read, right? We are busy with life, writing all day, getting caught up on our favorite television shows, cleaning seven litter boxes every morning, and washing our socks. Who has time to read?

But if you are a writer, you need to read.