How to Write a Song that Matters

How to Write a Song that Matters is part memoir, part notes from Williams' songwriting retreats for artists. Released 6th Sept 2022 by Hachette, it's 288 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I've been a fan of the author's music for ages, and it's interesting (and a little gratifying) to know that the persona which comes through in a lot of her music really does reflect in her written work as well. This is a well written and realistic guide to facilitate readers tapping into their *own* creative processes and get the stuff that's inside to the outside in the form of a song/poetry/art.

There was a surprising (to me) amount of practical advice included from "what if I don't have facility with an instrument other than my voice" to "where can I find inspiration and know what it looks like when I find it". There's quite a lot of substantial pondering going on between the covers here. 

The overarching chapters are possibly more straightforward than a lot of songs' genesis and are laid out more or less from beginning inspiration through writing and refining and finally to getting the song out into the world. It's a meandering process and Ms. Williams recognizes that in the text with humor and wit (and a stiff dose of practicality). 

Four stars. I can imagine that the sonwriter retreats are a positive influence on the participants and well worth experiencing. Now a much wider audience has the same benefits. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.