Susan Tucker has done a great service for songwriters everywhere by creating an excellent resource of information that is especially helpful to the aspiring songwriter.  I refer to Susan "creating" the book, instead of "writing" it because she's created a refreshing approach that has raised the standard on books about songwriting "tips".

I've read a variety of books on songwriting, (including Paul Zollo's excellent book "Songwriter's On Songwriting", devoting individual chapters to each songwriter), and "The Soul of a Writer" stands above them all.  Susan's not just offering tips based on her own experience and knowledge of the craft and the industry, but rather she's gone right to some of the top songwriters in the industry who were all enthusiastic about assisting her with her book.  The format is set up with Susan asking the questions, and then the collective responses all gathered together, with each of the songwriters given the opportunity to give an opinion or share an experience.

C'mon in and sit down!

When I began reading "The Soul of a Writer", I found myself constantly flipping back and forth between the bios / photos at the end of the book and the main Q & A section, trying to picture in my mind who said what.  Finally I spent a day or two just reading the bios over and over, and memorizing the photos.  After becoming familiar with my new songwriting "friends", I went back and started the book again.  What a BIG difference!  It truly became an intimate session, as if these writers were actually in my living room, chatting comfortably and answering all of my (well, Susan's) questions that could help me continue to improve my craft and my understanding of the business.

Chapter 1 covers Inspiration, Influences and Encouragement (e.g. "Are there specific places or things that inspire you", "What or who have been your biggest influences").  Chapter 2 looks at Creativity (e.g. "Do you have a writing room or special place where you feel the creativity flows more easily?", "Have you ever experienced a period when the flow of your creativity seemed endless?").

Chapter 3 takes you through The Process  (e.g. "You have an idea for something you want to say in a song.  What process do you go through to develop the story?" etc.), and Chapter 4 deals with the structure of The Song (e.g. "How important is the first line?", "What is the hardest part of writing a song?").

Often asked questions on Co-Writing are found in Chapter 5 (e.g. "How do you choose a co-writer?", "What are the advantages / disadvantages to co-writing?").  Chapter 6 deals with that "editor" that exists within the writer that interrupts the flow all too soon and also gives suggestions about dealing with "Writer's Block".  Writer Profiles (Chap. 7), General Advice (Chap. 8) and the aforementioned Writer Biographies round out this excellent, necessary addition to ANY songwriter's library.

I can hardly wait for Susan to "create" Part 2!  I've already given her some suggestions on who I'd like her to "invite into my living room" next time.