From Story to Song: Crafting Memorable Lyrics with Nathan Brown

Mon-Wed, February 11 – 13, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm CST, in-person at Gemini Ink

Nonmember $140         Member    $120                  Student $85

*EARN CPE’S

TWO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Every song is a story waiting to be sung. Join us for an immersive songwriting experience where we explore the art of storytelling through music! 

In this two-day workshop, we’ll compare and contrast the worlds of story and songwriting, uncovering their similarities and differences while discussing what makes a song lyric unforgettable. Then, we’ll use real-world examples to highlight the rich narratives that live behind some well-known tunes that we love.

Using a hands-on approach we will guide you through the process of drafting your own story, identifying “leaping lines” that spark inspiration. We’ll examine how specific story details can elevate lyrics, focusing on practical techniques rather than theoretical concepts. And we’ll explore the significance of space, repetition, and emotional resonance with your lyrics. 

Whether you aim to evoke emotion, tell a story, or create a connection with your audience, this workshop is the perfect place to start your journey. Come ready to write, share, and discover the song within your story! 

This course is open to writers of all genres, backgrounds, and skill levels, 18+.

Students will leave this workshop with: 

• An understanding of how to weave compelling stories into your song
• Tools and techniques to make your lyrics shine
• A first draft of a new song

Nathan Brown is an accomplished poet and songwriter who has performed readings and concerts from the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association in Long Island, NY to the Sisters Folk Festival in Oregon, the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma, and Sultan’s Pool just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in Israel, to name a few. He’s taught writing workshops from the famous Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio near Austin to the Everwood Farmstead in Wisconsin, and the Descanso Writers Retreats in Tuscany and Ireland. His performances of poetry have been likened to musical concerts, and, in fact, he now makes a good part of his living from house concerts and live shows that combine songs and poems.