Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: indie-pop
Song Meaning of “I’m Writing a Novel” by Father John Misty
This song is about the process of writing a novel, told from the perspective of someone who is in the midst of it, trying to make sense of what they are creating and grapple with the inspiration and impulse that drives them.
The song’s narrator is trying to write a novel to express himself and share his emotions, but he’s unsure of where to begin or how to let the words flow – he speaks of his rough drafts and scrap paper pages, a world full of imaginary characters and places.
He recognizes the difficulty in making sense of his words, the way that the puzzle of his story’s characters and plot develops as he writes, yet nonetheless he is determined to continue, to put together a poetic narrative out of the jumbled pieces.
The lyrics echo the frustration and the joy of creative composition and the stakes involved in it, as the narrator makes a deal with himself that if he succeeds, he will make himself famous, getting both the recognition and the acceptance that he seeks.
Ultimately, this song speaks to anyone who has ever tried to tell a story, whether through words, images, or music. It captures the doubt, the joy, the poetry of the creative process, and imparts a message of resilience and determination.