Point was, it was said that you learn your craft once you get there. What "craft" first of all? Even dance music has craft involved.

You learn by listening to great records. I took guitar lessons for about a year, and never learned a damn thing. I started trying to imitate the records i was listening to and got much better.

Same for songwriting, you learn from great songwriters, but when they are not around to spoon feed you, you learn by listening and breaking down their songs, and asking yourself why they work.

Books or Seminars might clear up some things. Shelia Davis craft of lyric writing was a great book, mostly helped me with focusing my thoughts. Like a song should be about one thing all the way through...? Who knew? I didnt, I wrote whatever came out.

I dont think you can be a great writer from reading a book, but it's all little steps to getting better.

I know a few people on these forums packed up and moved to Nashville or nearby to pursue the career. They didnt go because they thought they sucked at it, they went to find a career.

If you dont have any talent, a one on one session with Jimmy Webb wont make you any better.

But India and Japan have great songwriters there too