Sometimes I'll write without the guitar or the piano, but most of the time I'll be playing and just improvising some words. And when I get something that sounds good, a line with a story in it, I'll try and tease it out and figure out where the story is going.

John Darnielle

Figure Get Going Good Guitar Improvising Just Line Most Out Piano Playing Some Something Sometimes Sounds Story Tease Time Try Where Without Words Write

Related Quotes

I don't sit down and say I'm going to write a song about this or that. They are never mapped out.

— John Darnielle

To me, the only good reason to be touring is if you still have something good to share instead of just revisiting past glories.

— John Darnielle

GoodGood ReasonInstead

If you show up to work five days in a row, nobody's going to pat you on the back - everyone does that. Well, do that with your writing. Just show up. Be there for it. When you get an idea, write it down somewhere and then be a steward of that idea.

— John Darnielle

For me, moving is always a big opportunity. It's just a enough of a shift in outlook that every time I move, it seems to open something up.

— John Darnielle

AlwaysBigEnough

I try not to write songs in which men glamorize their own need for approval from women. That's kinda a bogus way to go out. But I try to do this quietly. I'm not about to go around telling people how they should or shouldn't think. My feminism is for me.

— John Darnielle

AboutApprovalAround