The Songwriter’s Study Trap (And How to Escape It)

The other night, my wife and I were watching an old Doctor Who story, Full Circle (Tom Baker era—my favorite).

Halfway in, I started laughing. Not because of the vintage effects or clunky dialogue, but because I realized this story is a perfect metaphor for what I see all the time in songwriting.

People endlessly consuming.
Watching tutorials. Reading books. Buying plugins.

But never actually writing.

The Starliner Syndrome

In Full Circle, a society lives aboard a grounded ship, the Starliner. For generations, they’ve been “repairing” it, preparing to return to their original planet.

Here’s the twist: the ship has been ready for centuries.

They just don’t know how to pilot it.

So instead of facing the unknown, they keep pretending they’re still “prepping.”

Sound familiar?

That’s how many songwriters operate. They say they’re “getting better,” “learning more,” or “waiting for the right time”… but never actually finish a song.

Mistfall = Growth

Every so often in the story, a fog-like phenomenon called Mistfall creeps across the land. The colonists treat it like a deadly threat, locking themselves inside the ship every time it arrives.

But Mistfall isn’t dangerous. It’s part of a natural cycle—a signal of growth and evolution.

That fear of change?
It’s the same fear that keeps songwriters from taking creative risks:

• Finishing a song

• Sharing a demo

• Booking a co-write

Yes, it feels uncomfortable. But like Mistfall, it’s not there to destroy you. It’s there to push you forward.

Coming Full Circle

One of the leaders in the story dies chasing a rebellious young prodigy. His final words:

“Tell Dexeter we’ve come full circle.”

At first, no one understands. But eventually, the Doctor uncovers the truth: the feared creatures outside—the Marshmen—are actually part of the colonists’ own evolutionary history.

They’ve spent generations hiding from what they used to be, running in circles, and avoiding their next step.

Just like songwriters who know all the theory… but won’t sit down and finish the song.

Preparation vs. Procrastination

Look, I’m all for studying. I teach songwriting for a living! But there’s a line between preparation and procrastination.

At some point, you’ve got to stop adjusting the ship—and fly it.

You already have what you need to begin. Not to be perfect, but to start.

Because no amount of tutorials, tools, or theory will replace what songwriting actually is:

Trying. Risking. Feeling. Repeating. Growing.

Mistfall Is Here

So if you needed a reminder—from the Doctor or from me—here it is:

Mistfall is here.
You don’t have to hide.
You’re ready.

Now get out there and write.