No More Excuses...Please Help A Wannabe Songwriter

[wagtunes]

That was a short three days break...

I'm leaving at 1 PM today. That's 3.5 hours from now.

[vurt]

well i hope you enjoy your break

[vurt]

and fwiw i still believe you can achieve your goal, even if you dont

[wagtunes]

Thanks Vurt. I'll miss you. Achieving my goal, at this point, is irrelevant. This thread, this amazing thread, has made me realize how little I really care. In that respect, a big thank you to everybody who helped make that possible. I'd been living a lie for a long time. I don't know when it was that I truly stopped caring, but I did. Maybe because my reasons for wanting success were all wrong to begin with. That's a long story that I'd rather not get into here.

[vurt]

and just to show age is irrelevant!

[vurt]

there has been some good advice in the thread though, so maybe asking the question will have helped someone

[wagtunes]

Know what? Screw it. I'm going to briefly explain why i wanted success as a songwriter.

When I first started writing in 1977, my friends all said I stunk. Even my mother couldn't listen to my music. Well, i was hurt and angry and so I said to them, "I'll show you. I'm gonna make it big and then you can all go suck an egg."

That's the wrong reason for wanting success in the music business, to be able to tell your friends "I told you so, so there."

And I've hung onto this obsession for 42 years. Suddenly I realized, when all my friends were gone anyway, that I just didn't care anymore. There was nobody to impress anymore. Not even the people here.

And with THAT realization, this obsession has FINALLY been lifted from me. Because even if I DID make it, I wouldn't have the happiness that I thought it would give me. I realize that now.

What brings me joy is actually MAKING music, regardless of who likes it or doesn't like it. And that is what's ALWAYS brought me joy. I was just too stupid, pig headed and stubborn to realize it because I had to PROVE something to others. All those years wasted on stupid pride.

Well, no more.

So again, thank you all for making me realize that.

[vurt]

well, if you find joy in making music, that's the success
realising that is a big thing.

[Etienne1973]

When I first started writing in 1977, my friends all said I stunk. Even my mother couldn't listen to my music. Well, i was hurt and angry and so I said to them, "I'll show you. I'm gonna make it big and then you can all go suck an egg."

Sad to hear that.

well, if you find joy in making music, that's the success
realising that is a big thing.

+1

Changing passion for glory does more harm than good. At least in the long run.

[Russell Grand]

Diane Warren or Jim Steinman (my 2 idols)

Who?

[Russell Grand]

Okay, web page is done. 2nd link on main page, Songwriter Bio. Open to suggestions for improvement.

http://wagsrfm.com/

I evaluate a lot of portfolios for my work. The first thing you usually want to make clear is what the purpose of the portfolio is. Do you want to attract customers, or is it just for informational purposes? Do you intend to use it for applying for a job or for school? Does it support some other part of your business (e.g. your libraries)? Etc.

The other thing I see a lot of people do which is an absolute no-no, is to pat yourself on the back. You never call yourself "capable" regardless how capable you actually are. It is purely the work that is talking on your behalf. And, btw, you also never say something like "let the work talk for itself" either because that is completely self evident.

I would rewrite the first paragraph a bit to establish the purpose of the bio. Then drop the second paragraph completely, it is not necessary. You say you "do not want to write about boring stuff". That is perfectly fine. But what exactly is the purpose of writing about what you are not writing about?

And also drop the first part of the first paragraph after the portfolio pieces (up to "I'm quite versatile") and fold the second half of that paragraph into the very last one.

Depending on who you are writing it for, a slightly less colloquial language might help as well.

You're welcome to rewrite it for me.

He's legitimately trying to help you (which is what you asked for)...and this is your response? FFS

[Russell Grand]

Okay, web page is done. 2nd link on main page, Songwriter Bio. Open to suggestions for improvement.

http://wagsrfm.com/

I evaluate a lot of portfolios for my work. The first thing you usually want to make clear is what the purpose of the portfolio is. Do you want to attract customers, or is it just for informational purposes? Do you intend to use it for applying for a job or for school? Does it support some other part of your business (e.g. your libraries)? Etc.

The other thing I see a lot of people do which is an absolute no-no, is to pat yourself on the back. You never call yourself "capable" regardless how capable you actually are. It is purely the work that is talking on your behalf. And, btw, you also never say something like "let the work talk for itself" either because that is completely self evident.

I would rewrite the first paragraph a bit to establish the purpose of the bio. Then drop the second paragraph completely, it is not necessary. You say you "do not want to write about boring stuff". That is perfectly fine. But what exactly is the purpose of writing about what you are not writing about?

And also drop the first part of the first paragraph after the portfolio pieces (up to "I'm quite versatile") and fold the second half of that paragraph into the very last one.

Depending on who you are writing it for, a slightly less colloquial language might help as well.

You're welcome to rewrite it for me.

or "thanks, is there any chance you could give me a few pointers to make it more appealing?"

[wagtunes]

Diane Warren or Jim Steinman (my 2 idols)

Who?

Russ, first of all, give it a rest. We're long past this.

Okay, to answer your question.

Diane Warren



Jim Steinman

[Russell Grand]

You're welcome to rewrite it for me.

You have no idea how often I hear that.

If you want, you can take a 2nd look. If not, that's fine too.

Much better. A bit on the short side, but much better. I would probably add a brief statement explaining what the artists would do with your material. What is the value you are adding to their work?

"I am looking for up and coming artists who are searching for new material to..."

Thank you. I'm sorry if I came off as whatever I came off as before. I'm frustrated, burnt out and a whole lot of other things that I'd rather not get into. Remember, it's been 42 years.

I will edit again.

Respectful comment and apology, Wagtunes. Much better. I think all of us here understand how frustrating it can be, but if you really want this, you'll need to put your heart and soul into it. Otherwise, what's the point?

[wagtunes]

You're welcome to rewrite it for me.

You have no idea how often I hear that.

If you want, you can take a 2nd look. If not, that's fine too.

Much better. A bit on the short side, but much better. I would probably add a brief statement explaining what the artists would do with your material. What is the value you are adding to their work?

"I am looking for up and coming artists who are searching for new material to..."

Thank you. I'm sorry if I came off as whatever I came off as before. I'm frustrated, burnt out and a whole lot of other things that I'd rather not get into. Remember, it's been 42 years.

I will edit again.

Respectful comment and apology, Wagtunes. Much better. I think all of us here understand how frustrating it can be, but if you really want this, you'll need to put your heart and soul into it. Otherwise, what's the point?

Russ, you're late to the party. I realized that I just don't care anymore.