I was complimented recently by a comment that my songs were interesting short stories. I was glad to hear this as I had always approached song writing like composing a piece of literature. Verses like chapters building to a conclusion, with the chorus weaving in and out tying together all the loose strings. The challenge of trying to maintain meter and rhyme, while avoiding clichés or being overly predictable. All the time trying to effectively build a story line, using sparse wording and vague imagery. Of course every attempt doesn't work as witnessed by a long list of songs I've written, but a short list that I sing. On occasion however, it all clicks and momentarily I feel like I have achieved success. Momentarily as music being a fickle mistress, she quickly robs of me of my glory and the desire to do better overwhelms me. Suddenly then my mind is busy trying to construct another tune with new characters and deeper plots. Determined to write my best song and squelch the discontentment, once and for all. Determined but inevitably bound for failure, but my failure as it turns out is gain.