my writing process

hey, hey…


When I opened my inbox this morning, there was an interesting message from a friend of mine that I've known for about 6-7 years. They've seen me play since I first gathered up enough courage to take the stage in Emporia and Lawrence. They wanted to know how I came up with my lyrics/song ideas. Well, I have about 20 minutes left on my lunch break—so I figured I'd try to answer it.

Writing is an escape for me. It's a way for me to step outside of myself and peek down at my life and surroundings. I've loved to write since I was little kid. When I started playing music, I felt I finally had the means to shape and mold those words into something tangible, identifiable and real to me.

As far as the process goes, it can happen in one of 3 ways for me. Sometimes I have the melody or music already in my head and then I write. At other times, I write the words and try to wrap the music around them. What's really rare for me is when the music and lyrics come all at once and the song completes itself immediately even though I just wrote it. When that happens, it blows me away.

People have often asked me how I can write such dark lyrics when I seem so happy and content with my life. I think I can because when I get to that place outside of myself, there are no boundaries at all. Nothing is taboo. Nothing is off-limits. Also, my life isn't always "happy". Just like everyone else, I have had tough times. But I can use those tough experiences in my writing. Some songs are personal and true to me, others are based on an idea or observation and other fall into the "What If" category—if I, someone I know or a complete stranger were placed in this situation, what would be the result or reaction? When I walk down this path of uncertainty in my writing, it forces me to be open and vulnerable.

So I guess my long-winded answer to my friends question can be summed up like this: I try to stay aware-------of everything I think, feel, hear, see and believe. By doing this, it allows me to be open and receptive to these thoughts and ideas as they race through my mind. Also, I try to get everything out. I write until the thought/idea feels complete. I may change it a bit here and there, leave it as is or set it aside for another day. But when that instant strikes and I step outside of myself, that's when I put it down on paper.



thanks for reading/listening.



see ya—


matt