Page 109 - Song Maps - A New System to Write Your Best Lyrics - Simon Hawkins

Some final comments
As I said earlier, in researching this book, I've listened to thousands of songs. In picking them apart, analyzing them and trying to figure out what makes them succeed or just suck, I have heard some spectacular songs that have not only moved me to tears, but they have reminded me of the power of a song and its ability to totally reframe my reality. For me, the process of writing this book has underscored the importance of not just writing songs, but writing the very best songs we can write.
While I'm a huge fan of co-writing, it's amazing what you can write when you are looking to write the very best song, rather than the best song you can write in three hours. So lately, I've been writing a whole load more on my own, just to give myself some space to play, to be moved and not so driven with my writing. And this approach has yielded some of my more significant successes in terms of external recognition and awards. But I still love co-writing and solo writing and will continue to do both.
Now that you have seen Song Maps in action, I genuinely hope you will find them an important addition to your crafting tools, whether you're writing on your own or with a co-writer.
There are so many facets to this craft and calling, in many ways, I still feel I've only just scratched the surface. One small concern I have, now that this book is published, is that if my co-writers read this, they might have unrealistic expectations for the ideas I bring to our writing sessions! We are all learning. And I'm no exception! But I'll have to deal with that!
As with all things to do with the craft of songwriting, there is nothing cast in stone about this technique– if 100% of it works for you, brilliant. If parts of it don't work for you, then maybe focus on those parts that do. At the end of the day, the aim is not to write a song the right way but to write the right song. And to enjoy the journey.
So, as this final chapter draws to an end, I'd like to leave you with two thoughts:
Firstly, thank you for giving me your time. If you have read this book and completed all the exercises in the Workbook, YOU ARE A TOTAL ROCK STAR. You deserve that Grammy! But no matter how deep into this book you've been able to dive, my hope and prayer is for your songs to shine and for them to be discovered and used. I hope this book somehow helps to unlock them.
Second, I would love to hear about your successes with the tools and techniques you have learned about in this book. If you meet me at a seminar please talk to me! If you are in one of my open critique sessions, warn me if your song is about to hit me with the songwriter's secret weapon and make me cry! But seriously, if this book has been helpful, I would love to hear from you, so please email me at:
simon@songmapsbook.com
May God bless you, your writing and the extraordinary journey you have ahead of you. SJLH.