Songwriting Ain't For Shy People, Either

I named this blog Songwriting Ain't For Sissies because, well, it's not. It's fun, but it can be one of the hardest things you do in music. 

But you know what?

I could also say "Songwriting ain't for shy people, either." 

I got into songwriting because I am...cover your ears, ok????...a shy introvert. I don't want to perform, or record. I hate being on camera. I don't even want to be noticed when I walk into a room. I am not exactly overloaded with charisma. So I clearly do not want to be a public figure. 

That means it's taken a long time to figure out my place in music, which is extremely "public" by its very nature. I love songwriting partly because I can be creative, and get to "hide" at the same time. I'll let the singer and the flashy guitar player get all the attention. 

I'm actually very social and friendly, and believe it or not, I love a good party. So, yes, you can be a shy introvert and still be a normal person. I won't act like a bashful four-year-old. I am a grownup, and I will act like one.

The secret is consciously deciding not to let it get in your way. You have to be brave, and get out there. And introverts' social skills are based on listening, and being interested in people enough to "tune into" them. 

I was also raised in the South. You better not let being a shy introvert get in your way there, unless you want your mother lecturing you about being "nice to everybody"!

But while it's great that people won't be mobbing you for autographs during dinner...you can't hide completely. Being a songwriter does not let you wear a Harry Potter-style invisibility cloak. You still have to "strut your stuff." 

Repeat after me: "I have to tell people I'm a songwriter." Try that a few hundred times. 

And if you intend to make a career out of songwriting, you definitely must let people know you have the goods. They're not mind readers.

So if you're a shy introvert, there's still a place for you in music. Simply be willing to extend yourself a little...then go back into your shell. 

Let Katy Perry deal with the autograph seekers during dinner.