We’ve written about him before, but singer-songwritier and ex-Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty talks on his blog about writing songs in anticipation of a September recording session.

“I’ve been trying to write more songs for a session in September; time is limited, obviously, and I don’t have the sheaf of culled phrases from months of journals that I usually use as a lyrical source. So I’ve been reading books with a pen in hand, underlining interesting and/or rhythmic words, and then writing them down the next day–over several columns on several sheets of paper, to put them in an order other than that in which they appeared in the books–and then when I go to the guitar and the drum machine I use those words to plug into the lyrics.”

I have found this to be true as well. Certain phrases or a couplet of sentences at the end of a story or chapter often resonate in a way that can spawn a complete song. There are endless examples of songwriters that have created songs - and even entire albums - based on the inspiration of a book or poem.

Just another tool to add to your “songwriting bag o’ tricks”.

Mike’s Blog

Editor’s Note: In addition, read about how Mike uses his daily journals as a lyrical source for his songs in this Blogging Muses article.