Hummingbird, what exactly do they say? how did what they said help you? Where can I listen to Pat's songs? post a few lyrics that show your progress from before you read their stuff, and after. I won't ask again but I'm willing to wager you won't. or can't.

I don't doubt all these people have "inspired" you...you seem more enamored of people who write about music than music itself!

I'm sure they're all great speakers, but remember this...the whoring-est southern preacher yells an inspiring sermon. He packs the pews because of his dynamic personality...hell, that's how he bags the broads! just don't peek behind the curtain cos the wizard ain't no wizard. lots of people in religion, politics and yes, songwriting are afraid to part the curtain and see the Britney songs.

there are four kinds of people:

1) the 9-5 workaday guy/gal who's the backbone of society.

then there's peeps not so inclined to the punchclock...

2) artists
3) gamblers/sports figures
4) criminals

your basic artist is allergic to following rules...he's creative and wants to do it his way. he's not above learning from those that inspired him to be an artist, but the Mona Lisa wasn't painted by the numbers.

there are certain artists who have a mind for glad-handing and working their way up the ladder like an office droid up to the cubicle with a better view of the rubber plant by the elevator. He'll make money and get promoted but since his spirit is closer to the 9-5 guy(nothing wrong with that), his stuff will be rote and yawn-worthy.

the best art is made by the guy whose spirit is closer to the gambler, if not the criminal. he's gonna fall on his ass a bunch of times taking risks but when he's on, he's on. that's why there's some really awful Neil Young albums out there but damn, there's some great ones, too.

when I first came on the net in '99 this guy suggested I read some Pat Pattison book. I didn't know they existed...I thought the only way to learn to write songs was from songs. I was intrigued...curious even. Then this guy posted some lyrics he wrote and they stunk. scared me off Pat. That pattern's been repeated over and over since then. "I suck but damn, I sure am inspired by these guys!"

forget that 12 steps to a better McSong crap. when you sit down to write a lyric or compose a melody...think like a criminal.

Nashville demos etc:

https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=431939

other demos:

https://soundcloud.com/wabash-cannibal

Amazon Kindle books by Robert George you may enjoy:

1) Americana

2) Teenage Graceland

3) The Will to Be

4) Fort Mystery

5) Wheel Sea

6) My One True Love