Conversation... (Writing Songs)

by Katie Lane Luckern
(Dunnellon, Florida)

My name is Katie Luckern. I am a fifteen year old musician. I play Guitar, Bass, Tenor Saxophone, Marimba, and Piano.
Lately, I've been writing alot, and I have noticed that the more I write, the better I get.
I also keep a series of journals, titled: Journal, Journal Part Deux, Journal The Trilogy, Philosophy, and Lyrics.
I have found that writing a lot in general, whether lyrics or not, makes your ideas come easier, espescially vocabulary.
When I write a song I like to use vocabulary that isn't used often, to make people pay attention. When they hear a word they've never heard before they are usually intrigued.

Here's a story of my writing:

I was talking on AIM to a good friend of mine, Toni. She is probably the only person I know my age with enough intelligience to understand me when I philosophize.
We were discussing the religion I created, and when trying to explain to her my ideas, I used the phrase, "Paradox of Personalities."
Immediatly, I wrote it down, and it became the title to one of the best songs I have ever written.


So the best advice I can give anyone, is to just be yourself, let the words flow. Don't force them.

I noticed that in the morning when the sun is rising, my parents are sleeping and I have a lot of privacy. So I go outside with my acoustic guitar at least 3 times a week. Just the inspiration from that alone, has compelled me to write about 3 songs in the past week or two.

I might make it sound easy, but when I first started out when I was 12... I had no idea what to do. I'd get books on writing, and all sorts of stuff; But the key to writing a good song is experience.
12 year olds don't really have a lot of that, at least I didn't. But hey, I'm not saying writing that young is impossible. That was the year I started out.
The first year is always the hardest.
I used to find myself trying to force myself to write a song.. and then my songs would really suck.
For a long time I was discouranged and actually stopped playing music for about a year.
DO NOT make that mistake.
I watched the members of my old band completely surpass me, all because I gave up.
Never give up.

I didn't give up when a band refused to let me audition just because I was a girl.

So just live life, and write.

Katie Lane Luckern