Margaret Glaspy
"I like to do things that make me feel integrated with the environment," says Margaret Glaspy. Broadly, Glaspy's process involves a general resistance to technology, which is why we had a great discussion about the benefits of cursive. It should also come as no surprise that Glaspy believes in pen and paper (and very specific kinds) for her lyrics. This resistance to technology is borne out the correct belief that it destroys our ability to focus, so Glaspy writes in fifteen minute incr...
Key Takeaways
- Margaret Glaspy embraces a general resistance to technology in her songwriting process to protect her ability to focus.
- Glaspy prefers writing lyrics using specific kinds of pen and paper, and she even finds creative benefits in writing in cursive.
- To maintain high creative energy, she writes in focused fifteen-minute increments punctuated by short breaks.
- Simple physical activities like walking the dog serve as valuable tools for maintaining inspiration during the writing process.
"I like to do things that make me feel integrated with the environment," says Margaret Glaspy. Broadly, Glaspy's process involves a general resistance to technology, which is why we had a great discussion about the benefits of cursive. It should also come as no surprise that Glaspy believes in pen and paper (and very specific kinds) for her lyrics.
This resistance to technology is borne out the correct belief that it destroys our ability to focus, so Glaspy writes in fifteen minute increments punctuated by short breaks. Glaspy does this for as long as she stays inspired. And as you'll hear, sometimes there's nothing like walking the dog to maintain that inspiration.
Margaret Glaspy's latest album is I Am Both on ATO Records.bvED NOTE: Listen to my 2021 interview with Glaspy and Sarah Jarosz here.
*photo by Ebru Yildiz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Margaret Glaspy's songwriting process like?
Margaret Glaspy avoids technology while writing, relying instead on pen, paper, and cursive. She uses a disciplined approach of writing in fifteen-minute increments separated by short breaks.
Why does Margaret Glaspy avoid technology when writing songs?
Glaspy believes that technology destroys our ability to focus. By staying away from digital devices, she is able to stay more integrated with her environment and maintain deep concentration.
What is Margaret Glaspy's latest album?
Margaret Glaspy's latest album is titled I Am Both and is released on ATO Records.
