I'm sure there are poets, damn fine ones, who are complaining that they don't get paid enough for their poetry. Several years ago there was an actual market for poetry books, and a couple hundred years ago you could make a good living getting a patron, and publishing your verse.

This is just the way it is. I got the same message when I visited Nashville -- I just have to accept what the market is doing. Sure, I wanted to say, hey, just listen to my stuff, you'll be BEGGING to hand me a contract. But everybody who comes to Nashville comes in thinking that way, from what I hear. The fact that I like writing, and might even be decent at it, doesn't entitle me to money or opportunity.

Nashville is flooded with people who have made huge sacrifices just to be there and get those opportunities, the way LA is overrun with good-looking young people who want to be in movies. I can't pull a Paul Gaugin on my family and move there -- and I can't sit and complain that they aren't tracking me down and handing me money and fame.

It takes talent, persistence, dedication and luck to "make it." But luck doesn't hang around waiting for people who aren't there to meet him when he shows up.

ZMULLS.COM
My Soundclick

2007 Grand Prize Winner International Songwriting Competition

Avatar Photo by Diana (used with permission)