This is a good thread Jed...Hey, there's a melody! But seriously, a good thread for the writers out there. I've thought of and felt these pitfalls too in writing songs but end up congratulating myself that I am writing at all. The act of writing takes a measure of courage and this is something I'm grappling with at the very moment as I try to improve my singing. I've been playing guitar for over twenty years and only recently have focused more on singing. I now live alone and this probably has something to do with letting it come out. New thread? Shy singers? I've been aided by a friend lending me an eight track home recording unit which allows me to hear back what I've done and it's helpful. Any insights out there?