Devon Gilfillian Wants You to Write For You

This episode continues our video series at Lit Hub to benefit the wonderful Mighty Writers, a Philadelphia-based non-profit that teaches reading and writing to thousands of low-income and marginalized students every year and is seeing more need than ever during the pandemic (head here to learn more). We’ve been asking singer-songwriters about their writing and reading lives—their influences, writing habits, favorite books—and while they’re at it, to play us a song or two. Check out episode one, Amanda Shires with Jason Isbell, episode two with Marcus Roberts, episode three with Jewel, and episode four with Phil Augusta Jackson.

This episode features Devon Gilfillian, Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who recommends his favorite book on writing, treats us to a performance of his new single, “The Good Life,” and plays a little Marvin Gaye while he’s at it.

From the episode:

One of my favorite authors is Stephen King, and if you are looking for any good tips on writing, the book On Writing by Stephen King is amazing. One of the great things he says is that, writing is telepathy. You are literally telling somebody what is in your brain. You are putting what is in your head on a page and then someone else is taking that in. One of the greatest tips in the book is to just put your head down, and write. Write for hours, or 30 minutes, but just don’t critique it until you’re done. Write for you.