--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sustaining a narrative in sentences and…" description: "\"Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very different from songwriting. But the dedication to the craft and just the endurance that it t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png" --- # Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very… ![“Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very different from songwriting. But the dedication to the craft and just the endurance that it takes, you know, to stick with it and believe you can pull it out and make it real and finish it, I learned that a long time ago writing songs.” quote by Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png) > “Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very different from songwriting. But the dedication to the craft and just the endurance that it takes, you know, to stick with it and believe you can pull it out and make it real and finish it, I learned that a long time ago writing songs.” [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Crafting long-form narratives requires endurance and belief, similar to songwriting, highlighting the discipline needed for completion. **In simple terms:** Writing narratives demands stamina like songwriting. Key Takeaway Commit to finishing long projects. Themes creativity discipline writing songwriting Mood determined inspired Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - authoring books - screenwriting - album production Key Concepts narrative structure creative endurance artistic belief Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain momentum on large works? - What rituals support creative endurance? A Different Perspective Long projects can stall without tangible milestones. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dedication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) [Different Songwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-songwriting-1535070/) [Endurance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endurance/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Long time ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time-ago/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriting Dedication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriting-dedication-3770313/) [Sustaining Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustaining-narrative-3770314/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-songs/) ## Related quotes > [All of our albums are actually pretty similar, it's just the production that's different. Our songwriting is always the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/all-of-our-albums-are-actually-pretty-similar-it-s-just-the/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [When people start writing songs for award shows, there's a very limited palette you can use. You end up not sounding like you. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dirnt/when-people-start-writing-songs-for-award-shows-there-s-a-very/) [Mike Dirnt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dirnt/) > [I've never really suffered complete and utter writer's block, really. I equate it with sex: in the beginning of my career, I was writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loudon-wainwright-iii/i-ve-never-really-suffered-complete-and-utter-writer-s-block-really-i/) [Loudon Wainwright III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loudon-wainwright-iii/) > [I've found it really hard to finish writing songs when you're writing on not just your schedule but somebody else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-carmack/i-ve-found-it-really-hard-to-finish-writing-songs-when-you-re-writing/) [Chris Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-carmack/) > [The drumming helps a lot when I'm producing songs or writing songs. My knowledge of drums helps more in that aspect, (although) I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-mars/the-drumming-helps-a-lot-when-i-m-producing-songs-or-writing-songs-my/) [Bruno Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-mars/) > [Writing songs is kind of like a wrestling match to me. You have to pin it down and make it do what you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-joseph/writing-songs-is-kind-of-like-a-wrestling-match-to-me-you-have-to-pin/) [Tyler Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-joseph/) > [I've always loved to write, and I wrote fiction all my life. That's what I thought I was going to do in my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-shears/i-ve-always-loved-to-write-and-i-wrote-fiction-all-my-life-that-s/) [Jake Shears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-shears/) > [That has been my outlet and a way to provide for my child - writing songs for myself and for other artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lynn-spears/that-has-been-my-outlet-and-a-way-to-provide-for-my-child-writing/) [Jamie Lynn Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lynn-spears/) > [If you watch home videos, at 4 years old, I was doing nothing but being the entertainer. Singing 'Boot Scootin' Boogie' in the living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-rhett/if-you-watch-home-videos-at-4-years-old-i-was-doing-nothing-but-being/) [Thomas Rhett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-rhett/) > [I grew up with my little brother, and we were raised by my grandmother. I was an insider for real. I stayed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-tiller/i-grew-up-with-my-little-brother-and-we-were-raised-by-my-grandmother/) [Bryson Tiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-tiller/) > [Sometimes I'll write a song. When I've gone through something really hard in my life, sometimes it's other people's music. Other times it's actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/sometimes-i-ll-write-a-song-when-i-ve-gone-through-something-really/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [Even in those early years of Static-X, there was a pattern emerging where I would spend all my free time writing songs for Static-X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-static/even-in-those-early-years-of-static-x-there-was-a-pattern-emerging/) [Wayne Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-static/) > [I remember people would talk about Country Music like it was this sexist, lame thing. Well, no, because Dolly Parton is writing songs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neko-case/i-remember-people-would-talk-about-country-music-like-it-was-this/) [Neko Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neko-case/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) ## More by Rodney Crowell > [For me, my career has never been about what I've done. But it's been about becoming, achieving, and pushing myself further.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/for-me-my-career-has-never-been-about-what-i-ve-done-but-it-s-been/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [There are certain choices you make as a songwriter, based on vowel sounds and melody and chord changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/there-are-certain-choices-you-make-as-a-songwriter-based-on-vowel/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [I've had a nice career. I'm no David Bowie or Bruce Springsteen out there. I'm not an icon. I'm just a working artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/i-ve-had-a-nice-career-i-m-no-david-bowie-or-bruce-springsteen-out/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [My father took me to see Hank Williams on December 14th, 1952. I was two years and four months of age. And I remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/my-father-took-me-to-see-hank-williams-on-december-14th-1952-i-was/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [Because of my methodology and my sensibilities to write songs, I'm not very comfortable with the notion to rush in any creative endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/because-of-my-methodology-and-my-sensibilities-to-write-songs-i-m-not/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [When I was 12 years old, or however old I was when Bringing It All Back Home came out, I'd just skip back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/when-i-was-12-years-old-or-however-old-i-was-when-bringing-it-all/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [Invariably, collaboration leads to new forms of self-expression and to the things that move you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/invariably-collaboration-leads-to-new-forms-of-self-expression-and-to/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [I think, back in the '80s when I was having hits all the time, I took it for granted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/i-think-back-in-the-80s-when-i-was-having-hits-all-the-time-i-took-it/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [Singing duets is instinctive, intuitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/singing-duets-is-instinctive-intuitive/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [I've often said to young songwriters when they want to write with me, 'Let's take a stab at ten songs, and we might get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/i-ve-often-said-to-young-songwriters-when-they-want-to-write-with-me/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [So much of inspiration comes from collaboration with other musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/so-much-of-inspiration-comes-from-collaboration-with-other-musicians/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [For the most part, this record is autobiographical. At some point, the story of 'The Houston Kid' takes my experiences from 6 to 15…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/for-the-most-part-this-record-is-autobiographical-at-some-point-the/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [I cannot say I'm a poet. That's for someone when they take in consideration where they can bestow 'poet' on. I can't do it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/i-cannot-say-i-m-a-poet-that-s-for-someone-when-they-take-in/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [Pain comes like the weather, but joy is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/pain-comes-like-the-weather-but-joy-is-a-choice/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [When I go back to seek inspiration - whether it be from Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, the Beatles, Hank Williams, Ray Charles or Bob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/when-i-go-back-to-seek-inspiration-whether-it-be-from-chuck-berry/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) [Explore all 123 Rodney Crowell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) ## More Dedication quotes > [I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/i-know-the-importance-of-highly-trained-awareness-of-the-moment-and/) [Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/) > [Erase from your mind that your preparation must be perfect. Hard work + dedication = a shot at your dreams. Keep believing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-goucher/erase-from-your-mind-that-your-preparation-must-be-perfect-hard-work/) [Kara Goucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-goucher/) > [If you're going to preach dedication, work ethic, teamwork, unselfishness, and being part of a team to accomplish a common goal, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mullin/if-you-re-going-to-preach-dedication-work-ethic-teamwork/) [Chris Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mullin/) > [In many traditions, hawks are sacred: Apollo's messengers for the Greeks, sun symbols for the ancient Egyptians and, in the case of the Lakota…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnside/in-many-traditions-hawks-are-sacred-apollo-s-messengers-for-the/) [John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnside/) > [You'll know you're amazing when you get devoted to making other people amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-ll-know-you-re-amazing-when-you-get-devoted-to-making-other/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) [Chris Kirubi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kirubi/) > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [I probably should've listened to Michael a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-probably-should-ve-listened-to-michael-a-year-ago-when-he-said-that/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [To be an entrepreneur, it just takes a lot of persistence, dedication, and drive. No matter what happens, you have to be wiling to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeet-banerjee/to-be-an-entrepreneur-it-just-takes-a-lot-of-persistence-dedication/) [Jeet Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeet-banerjee/) > [U cant expect every1 to have as much dedication as u have..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/u-cant-expect-every1-to-have-as-much-dedication-as-u-have/) [Hemantsmarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hemantsmarty/) > [Now it is time to sit quiet, face to face with thee, and to sing dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/now-it-is-time-to-sit-quiet-face-to-face-with-thee-and-to-sing/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“To move forward, one need only take the first step,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-neill/to-move-forward-one-need-only-take-the-first-step/) [Chase Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-neill/) > [Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-jean-king/natural-talent-only-determines-the-limits-of-your-athletic-potential/) [Billie Jean King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-jean-king/) > [I was at Mount Tamalpais near San Francisco hiking when a boulder came hurling down the mountainside and smashed my left hand. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/i-was-at-mount-tamalpais-near-san-francisco-hiking-when-a-boulder/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [“Everything on this earth belongs to God and therefore the more your dedication draws you closer to him, the more you will draw closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/everything-on-this-earth-belongs-to-god-and-therefore-the-more-your/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) [Browse all 1,006 Dedication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very different from songwriting. But the dedication to the craft and just the endurance that it takes, you know, to stick with it and believe you can pull it out and make it real and finish it, I learned that a long time ago writing songs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rodney Crowell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and-paragraphs-is-very-different/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dedication" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and-paragraphs-is-very-different/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07b/rodney-crowell-3715_dedication_sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and_2036908.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sustaining a narrative in sentences and paragraphs is very different from songwriting. But the dedication to…” — Rodney Crowell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rodney Crowell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sustaining a narrative in sentences and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and-paragraphs-is-very-different/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/sustaining-a-narrative-in-sentences-and-paragraphs-is-very-different/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```