The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success [Paperback]

Susan Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Hit songwriters share their secrets on inspiration, creative techniques, career moves and the music business in this collection of interviews. 15 of the nation's most talented tunesmiths give personal accounts of how they create their works, what their songs mean to them, and how they keep their creativity flowing. Topics covered during the 54-question interviews range from personal sources of inspiration, notions of creativity, and the various stages of the writing process to the pros and cons of co-writing, the taming of the inner critic, and the challenges of a song writing career. Readers will find advice on how to nurture their creative thinking, develop a healthy balance between creative work and personal life, and find their unique voice in the songwriting world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Tucker is a songwriter, music publisher, teacher, and writer who has made a career out of studying successful songwriters. She teaches song writing and creativity workshops for the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Northern California Songwriters Association, and other song writing organizations across the country, and has been guest lecturer at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. She is the owner of Sage House Music Publishing, the creator, editor, and contributor to The Songwriters Connection Monthly, and author of The Writer's Goal Book. The Secrets of Song writing is her first book with Allworth Press. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581152787
• ISBN-13: 978-1581152784
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for those looking to rise to the level of being a true professional!, April 12, 2007

By 

Steven G. Kelly (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success (Paperback)

Susan's book is an excellent book, a simple, fun, and great read! The pupose of her book is as simple as it gets; to share the personal views of many top professionals on how THEY made it. It's a book for those who are looking to grow from the level they are currently at, to the level of a true professional, career oriented song writer. While it is not a step-by-step how-to book, which it does not claim to be, it does share some great moments from many top pro's, who have hits on many charts, not solely county, in hopes that you may find a few gems that you can apply in your career. I highly recommend this book to any one who has ever had any doubtful moments in their career, looking to learn how serious pro's handle the exact same issues, and is SERIOUS about turning their craft into a career.
An A+ to Susan!
Steven
Kelly Percussive Arts, LLC

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Susan's created another great book, August 29, 2003

By 

Anders M. Rasmussen "Ande Rasmussen" (Martindale, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success (Paperback)

What if you could sit one on one with Brett Beavers, Jason Blume, Chuck Cannon, Bob DiPiero, Stewart Harris, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Gretchen Peters, Hugh Prestwood, Mike Reid, Steve Seskin, Allen Shamblin, Tia Sillers, and Craig Wiseman and ask them penetrating questions on how they find inspiration and success with their songwriting? That's exactly what Susan Tucker did and you can find their answers in her new book, "The Secrets of Songwriting" If you want to improve your songwriting I highly recommend you get a copy, read it, reread it, take notes, and highlight what they had to say.

Ande Rasmussen
editor and publisher of
Inspirations for Songwriters

5.0 out of 5 stars The best inside look, April 21, 2007

By 

A. South "songwriter" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success (Paperback)

I own a couple dozen books on songwriting and this is the best inside look on how successful songwriters are inspired, how they work, and what it takes to keep going toward success in the ultra-competitive world of crafting songs.

The different writers interviewed each have their own way of working, and that is what makes this book so great. Most aspiring writers can see that they can work in a way that is supportive of their own style. I found it affirming and encouraging - plus there are all the inside tips. A great book!