Articles:

• Imitation: The Sincerest Form of Flattery! (subtitle: COPY ONLY THE BEST!) - We've all heard that tongue-in-cheek remark, 'I only copy the best!' and indeed, that very idea can be used as a wonderful songwriting 'TEMPLATE' strategy, a strategy that is sure to enhance your own songwriting skills.  Read on!
• The 'Dave Ramsey' Approach to the Music Biz - When you ask yourself 'WHY NOT ME?' in reference to your ability to succeed in the music business...we certainly don't want one of those answers to be -- "because I spent too much money trying to get in and/or impress others"... so listen up!  Paula is a big fan of money matters expert/radio and television talk show host Dave Ramsey...and thinks he has the BEST FINANCIAL ADVICE OUT THERE!  Read on, for a few ways in which Dave's money smarts can apply to your songwriting and music business goals...(or your life!)...
• Songwriting - It's a Piece of Cake! - What? You thought songwriting was hard?? And here Paula is telling us it's a 'PIECE OF CAKE' ?? Don't let this title fool you! Songwriting is ANYTHING but easy, and Paula's latest article will give you a very BASIC 'recipe' on how to cook up a song that your listeners will enjoy, savor, and remember!
• The Swing of Things - Things have definitely changed over the years.  Paula returns after a hiatus to continue her discussions about songwriting in the digital age.
• Go With The Flow! (of YOUR life...) - Here's an unlikely topic: I thought I would address the topic of 'sliding out of the saddle ' of the music industry...for a bit of time...because of important successes or demands in other areas of our lives, and what kind of prominence these situations, seemingly 'interference in our dreams', should take in our lives. (NOTE: The next column will deal with GETTING BACK INTO THE SADDLE, after a brief hiatus or after a postponement of the goal...)
  
• Overcoming Our Own Mental Barriers To Success! - Don't we all find, that in life, there are these almost inexplainable mind games that happen to us, or those we know? One of those, I have found, is what I call "fear of success", or the subtle tendency in many of us to self-sabotage. Why, you ask? Well, not being a psychologist, I'm not sure, but I do know that it happens. What can we do to make sure we don't do this to ourselves? Read on...
• Publishers -- the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY -
• The Good News and The Bad News - With the music industry in crisis, I think it's time to realistically re-evaluate goals as songwriters. I know, I know, this tone sounds a bit negative, but unfortunately, the world of music publishing, recording, and therefore...writing, has forever been changed because of the very tool that enables you to read this column: the internet. For more of a taste of this REALITY-tone, and some info on some Napster lookalikes, read on....
• Just The Facts Ma'am, Just The Facts - Hopefully this Spring is bringing each of you new successes and inspiration with your career goals. I wanted to talk about some ACTUAL organizations and events which really might be of practical use to you songwriters, in the ultimate goal of getting your songs signed, published, performed, and cut (or put into print...).... I wanted to bring you some FACTUAL, ACTUAL information! Now, read on...
  
• Making It Matter - Everyone: writing is a gift--use yours well. I am reminded of an old 'exercise' phrase: Use it or Lose it.
  
• The Three R's of Successful Songwriters - Hey songwriters! Hope everyone is meeting with enormous success in your songwriting ventures. Now...about this title: this was the title of a songwriting session I did recently for a Texas group, and I wanted to share it with the Muse's Muse as well. Usually when we think of the 3 r's...it obvious: Reading, "R"iting, and 'Rithmetic...the old school saying! But....I submit that it COULD BE, and for songwriters, SHOULD BE this: Rhymes, Resolve, and Resilience! Read on to learn more...
• I Found My People! - If you've ever felt "misunderstood"....encouragement is here. Welcome to the planet of STRANGE. (songwriters and musicians) After reading my little piece here, you will indeed, breathe a huge sigh of relief and say...along with me.... I FOUND MY PEOPLE!
  
• Do You See What I See? - As many people as there are in the world -- that's probably how MANY DIFFERENT approaches there could be -- to the same topic, in songwriting! There are SO many ways to write about ....LOVE, for example! Everyone "sees" it differently....plus another "Do you see what I see?" thought: If you get frustrated with varying opinions re: YOUR SONGS -- if publishers or other expert songwriting critiquers don't seem to "get it" -- maybe this will encourage you! They may "see" it differently, based on their own life experiences! Read on... to "see" more of what I'm talking about....
• "Being There" - Did you see the movie, BEING THERE, from some years back, with Peter Sellers? It was a hilarious satire, and underlined the truth that SHOWING UP is one of the most important, admirable, even FATEFUL things we can do, to shape our destinies! In this movie's case, all that the character Chauncey (something -- can't think of the character's last name) was capable of... was "Being There", as he was pretty much a simpleton....I think the message for us, as part of the music business industry ...is....IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO BE THERE! You gain SO much respect/ networking contacts/knowledge...by "BEING THERE" at the Music Industry's "events" -- whichever ones are important to YOUR element of the industry....read on....
• Skydiving Lessons For Songwriters - Hey everyone, once again from Texas! Feeling like a little SKYDIVING? Jumping out into the vast unknown stretches of blue yonder that we call THE MUSIC BUSINESS? Need some crash courses (no pun intended! : ) in FOLLOWING-YOUR-DREAMS-even-though-you're-scared-to-death? I have a few tips to share with you -- READ BEFORE YOU JUMP! : )
• The Songwriting Identity Police! - Did you ever stop to consider, that maybe the reason you're finding it hard to take the next step as a songwriter...is that YOU don't quite yet consider yourself a "real" songwriter? Crossing this mental barrier...the self-belief that YOU BELONG IN THIS BUSINESS... is crucial to your success! Wanna find out more?? Read on!
• A story of rejection, improving song skills, and adopting the WHY NOT ME mindset! - Have you ever been rejected? Have you ever had your "bubble burst" and had to come to terms with your need for improvement? Multi-genre, award-winning pop, country, and CCM Songwriter, Paula Carpenter, who has written for several of Nashville's largest publishing houses, tells you HER story of just starting out, of meeting rejection head-on with a smile and a never-give-up mindset, and how she did...and how you can...adopt a WINNING ATTITUDE of committment, consistency...and WHY NOT ME??