songwriters on process

The blog formerly known as ‘Writers on Process’ is now ‘Songwriters on Process.’

There’s not much consensus on process — even on basic questions like, “do you write every day or wait until inspiration hits?” — but there’s a great many ideas on how one might go about it.

What is your perfect writing environment?

All different places.  I’ll go to a nightclub like the Hotel Cafe, get there late at night when they are closing and hang out with the staff.  I’ll  go up on the stage where there is a piano, the place is almost empty, and that’s where I like to write.  There are still people milling around, but I can concentrate.  It’s very inspiring. I can soak up the atmosphere and turn it into music.  It gets me in the mood.  The mood is important to me.  If I am at the beach, and its a nice night at the sun is setting, I’ll whip out my harmonica or my iPhone and just start playing or singing.  I’ll get something different than if I were in a room with no windows. [Jack Tempchin, writer of the Eagles' 'Peaceful Easy Feeling'.]