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We love to hear from you. Let us know what you think of the site. Or just say hello. For private messages, send us an email. If you'd like to discuss any of the articles on this site or Robin's music, visit the Robin Frederick Forum at IndieGuild.co.uk.

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James Matthew Byers - Fri, Aug 15th, 2008 7:38 AM PDT
The Catalyst and the Creationist

The Catalyst is one whose life
Inspires a man to dream.
She crafts the words within his mind
And fills him with esteem.
Though she may not quite comprehend
Just what it is she does,
He´ll tell the world in simple truth
It´s simply just because.
She may not have the time or chance
To listen or to hear
The music that he thrives upon,
But this, as much, is clear:
She is the song within his brain,
The living, breathing shape
Of sound around his inner soul,
The sweetest of escapes.
The one, as the Creationist,
Composes in his heart
The words the Catalyst provides,
Awaiting to impart
Envisioned existential craft,
Relayed within the core
Of all the Spirit replicates,
The meaning to explore
Expired until the next delight
Returns within the woman
Called the Catalyst by name,
And should her essence summon,
Conjure up desire within,
Again as this so goes,
The proud Creationist will write,
Will set forth to compose
The poetry that stirs within,
For when the Muse has risen,
There, the need to set ablaze
Upon his soul is given
Words and rhyme, the ample time
To pen a poet´s yearning,
All the while from she who calls,
The poet´s gift is burning.
There are those Creationists
Whose art and works inspire,
But those who are the Catalysts,
In truth, are all the fire
Set beneath the poet´s feet,
Compelling them to write,
Indulgent in addiction´s sway,
Within their inner light.
The greatest form of motivation
That these men can know
Comes from the slightest innovation
When their Muses show,
And show they shall the path to take,
To travel swiftly down,
Thus worn across an eager brow,
A kindred, crucial crown.
The Catalyst may ask herself,
"Why has he chosen me?"
And thus Creationists agree
It is by God´s decree,
For He in fact, ensures the ship
These poets travel on,
Delighting as they interact,
As Catalysts are known,
Discovered in the daily life
Of each who never knew
Until the day revealed to them
That everything they do
Shall etch upon the meeting point
Of those collecting dues,
Requiring words to grace the page,
Once full in empty hues.
So those who write the poetry
Shall garnish as their wage
The passion for the words within
While acting on the stage
Set forth by every Catalyst
Who comes into their life,
Preserving worded imagery
As husband and as wife.
No further proof is needed, a
Creationist I am,
And have the Catalyst preparing
Me for my exam,
Thus when the time is right, I will
Again compose a rhyme,
But will do so when she will show
Again in her due time.

rhys - Tue, Aug 12th, 2008 2:33 AM PDT
Just written a great song for my band , thanks robin , you rule

breanne - Tue, Aug 5th, 2008 6:20 PM PDT
hi my name is breanne and i want to make a band of songs and i don't know what songs i could do so i need help.. from breanne and friends thank you..

Kellyann - Mon, Aug 4th, 2008 3:55 PM PDT
wow .. u really r a good help =) .. that california girl song was luvly :) .. fanks again x

olegaz - Sat, Aug 2nd, 2008 9:30 PM PDT
thanks!!! u helped a lot!! i needed a push like that) THANK YOU!

suzette leveille crozier - Sat, Aug 2nd, 2008 4:42 PM PDT
HI COUSIN...GIVE ME A CALL WHEN YOU CAN...LET ME KNOW HOW CARLA AND MARCIA ARE???? LOVE SUZETTE

emila massacre - Thu, Jul 24th, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
i need help im tryong to write a song on how i feel. but i can't get it to work. help!!!!!

ashley - Thu, Jul 17th, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
im always writing songs but i look back and dont like it. HELP!

Hi Ashley - You speak for a lot of songwriters! There are probably a couple of reasons why you feel this way. I think, as songwriters, we expect a lot of ourselves and our songs even while we're still learning how to write. If I painted someone's portrait, I know it wouldn't be very good and I wouldn't like it. In fact it would be awful because I don't really know the craft of oil painting so I'm not able create something that really works. Well, the same is true for songwriting but for some reason, we often don't let ourselves go through the learning process. We expect to write good songs as if by magic. It takes time and some study of good songs and songwriters.

Try going through your songs and take a look for the good lines, the strong emotions, the parts that DO work. See if you can find some ways in which you are growing as a writer. Study your favorite songs to see how the lyrics and melodies work. Try using the suggestions in my article 'Notes on Songwriting" about using a ghost song to practice on. Consider writing a new lyric to a ghost song melody just to see what it sounds like!

The other thing that happens to all songwriters and artists is a tendency to let our Inner Critic tell us we're not good enough. As you learn more about song craft, you'll be able to tell your Inner Critic to shut up because YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING! ;-) Good luck to you! - Robin Frederick


briana - Fri, Jul 11th, 2008 5:24 PM PDT
i am trying to write a song but i dont know how to start it can you help me please?

Cathy Gulden - Sun, Jun 29th, 2008 2:56 PM PDT
Robin, you are a gem! Your music is quite wonderful.
I'm a concert singer/songwriter/recording artist of many years, and loving it. I was on line, looking for some fresh perspectives, which incorporated the tried and true methods of song writing, and THERE WAS YOUR SITE, the best I've found.
Thank you,
Cathy

rashidy - Sun, Jun 29th, 2008 10:12 AM PDT
hi robin... 1st i wanna thank you 4 this info..and i promise 2 try it...but i also would like 2 know wat u think of my style in writing songs(rap songs) i tried sending u an email...but but there is something wrong and i cant send it
so...i would really love 2 share my style with u by any other means of communication..once again THANK YOU

Leona H - Tue, Jun 17th, 2008 8:32 AM PDT
Hi robin

I have tried for ages to come up with a good song but it has never been quite right. I need to right one about school like waking up in the morning getting ready for school but I'm really stuck any advice?

Thank You

ralph cipriani - Sat, Jun 14th, 2008 10:48 AM PDT
hi robin , i want to say thank- you that was a big help to me in my song writing i will remember wha you said as a reminder when i am doing all my songs thanks again robin sincerely ralph cipriani

jenna - Sun, Jun 1st, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
i want to write a song. can you give me a sond to write please?

terenager103 - Wed, May 28th, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
i been listening to your music i love it i got here by thinking of puting my words on paper im not a musician i just got a lot of music in my head and i think god trying to teel me something he lead me to you i donnt know why i dindnt graudaute or anything but the point of this is to tell he loves keep up the work and get where your suppose to beyour not done yet i dont know why i say things i say if i said somthing wrong im sorry anyway love the song angel cover me

Rick - Wed, May 21st, 2008 12:36 AM PDT
Thank you for informative site, I am an inspiring musician on Long Island NY and a frustrated song writer, I have a lot of titles but cannot seem to complete my ideas. Perhaps your website can help.

Lorna - Sun, May 4th, 2008 7:43 PM PDT
i want to learn how to write songs and become a singer

endless boss - Mon, Apr 28th, 2008 9:52 AM PDT
i need a person to write a rap song for me can u help me?

Check out fruityloops.com and head over to the forum. You'll find lots of writer/producers working in the rap genre. You could either post a request looking for a collaborator or find someone whose music you like and contact them with a PM. - Robin

Kat - Wed, Apr 23rd, 2008 6:57 AM PDT
Hey! Thanks for this. I had an urge to write a song as I often do
As it helps me express emotion And I do it often. But this is my best yet [I hope!]. Using your site really helped. Unfortunately I've never managed to get the hang of instruments So I only write lyrics But this really helped. Thanks a lot . My song name came to me whilst at school. Watching the "queen bee" and her friends. "She's too intoxicating" seemed perfect for a title. I was also really impressed that at 15 I still managed to understand the advice you were giving. Thanks once again
Kat x

Kat, I'm impressed, too! - Robin

JUST M & ELMER - Fri, Apr 18th, 2008 9:53 AM PDT
OOOOH HOW THE SOUL CAN REACH AND NEVER TOUCH~~~~~~
THANK YOU, I HAVE A FULFILLED SENSE OF BEING WITH A PARTICULAR ONE BY READING THIS.

Laura - Sun, Apr 6th, 2008 11:53 PM PDT
Wow. Just... wow.

I've been having writer's block for about a year now. My sister and I have been tossing around the idea of starting a band- we're both trained in music, and it seems like a lot of fun- but the problem was original music. We've been trying and failing to write songs for ages. I bookmarked your "how to write a song" page weeks ago but my pride kept putting me off reading it. Boy am I glad I did- within two hours I had the lyrics to "Perpetual Darling" drafted and ready for a melody.

THANK YOU!

Anthony Longo - Sat, Apr 5th, 2008 5:07 AM PDT
Hi Robin,

Too bad you don't have any courses in North Carolina

Nery Martinez - Fri, Apr 4th, 2008 2:10 PM PDT
Thanks for such a wonderful way to show me how to write music, now I can't listen to a song without thinking what you thought, thanks! keep the good work I know I will be writing cool songs! hit songs!

Jourgenz - Sun, Mar 30th, 2008 3:03 AM PDT
It's test.
I could't post a message...

Hi Jougenz - You can post a msg if it relates to this web site and does not include html or links to unrelated sites. All other posts are blocked or removed. - Ben the webmaster

Gerard - Tue, Mar 25th, 2008 4:32 AM PDT
thanks for the help great site

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