Page 49 of August Lane

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Jojo:

Hate it. I hate writing songs.

Emma:

Really? Wow.

Jojo:

I know, I know. We’re all supposed to love it. I used to lie when people asked me because it was easier. It’s like admitting you don’t like dogs.

Emma:

[laughter] You don’t like dogs?

Jojo:

I plead the fifth. [laughter]

Emma:

Why don’t you enjoy songwriting?

Jojo:

It’s thankless. Writing is easy, but writing something good is so,sohard. You spend hours agonizing over every word. And you’re pouring pieces of yourself into it because everyone knows that’s where the good stuff is. Your life, your trauma, your insecurities. You use them to make this thing that feels like your child. I’ve had a kid, so I can say this. It feels like handing your newborn to a bunch of executives who plop it in a crib and sayThanks, you can go now! We’ll package it any old way. What you think is irrelevant.But it’s about me! How can I be irrelevant when it’s my song? And don’t even get me started on what happens once it hits the radio.

Emma:

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