Hi. I’m Melanie.
I help songwriters write lyrics that tell powerful stories.
I am a story consultant and a Story Grid Certified Editor and I use the craft of storytelling for creating concept albums that tell captivating stories.
I love songs that take me right into the moment of memories filled with emotions, inciting events and that paint a vivid picture of how a challenge is overcome.
I have devoted myself to figuring out what the lyrics of a song should be like to engage the audience so that they are thrown back into their past or even start to be caught up in a dream of hopeful fantasies that seem so real. What is the essence of a great story in a song or on an entire album? How do we start? What is our protagonist like? What shall he tell? How does he change?
The answer is through knowing the craft of great storytelling and using it for writing songs that work!
With a catchy melody, a song can become an evergreen, even without a clear story. But if you want the message of your song to be unforgettable, you need to tell a story. A song that tells an emotional story can transcend time.
Songs are short but there is plenty of time to capture a moment that changed the main character for better or worse. And those moments create long-lasting, chart-topping songs.
I am a Story Grid Certified Editor.
The Story Grid is a methodology developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It’s a diagnostic that tells the editor or writer what is working in the story, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what’s not.
As an editor and story consultant, I wondered how the Story Grid can be applied to songwriting.
My question was: Does the craft of telling a story that works matter in songwriting? Does it influence the sales of an album or how successful a single will be?
On this website, I share with you everything I'm finding out about storytelling in songwriting.
If you want to work with me and create a concept album together or write a song that’s telling a captivating story, check out what I can do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies you to evaluate stories?
I am a Story Grid Certified Editor. That means I was personally trained by Shawn Coyne. He is an editor with over 30+ years of experience in editing manuscripts, and he has worked in the "Big 5" publishing houses. He created the Story Grid methodology that helps storytellers evaluate the structure of a story, identify the strengths and weaknesses, and give the writer the next steps to improve their story.
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how stories work and what it takes to tell a story in a song that your listeners can resonate with
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how to help you improve the stories told on your albums, no matter if you have a rough idea, songs drafted or released
- how to give constructive and valuable feedback
If you want to learn more about The Story Grid methodology, visit the Story Grid website here.
How do I send you the songs for the analysis?
I focus on the lyrics of the songs and not on the implementation of the music. So it's totally fine if you send me the lyrics in a Word-Document or in a PDF via email.
We're unsure which direction to take on our new album. Can you help us?
Absolutely! Let's have a call and talk about what is keeping you from getting started. Book a FREE strategy call with me and we'll talk about your current work in progress, about previous releases and how I can help!
We've only written a couple of songs, but would like some feedback before we continue. Can you check them out?
Yes, I can! I offer every songwriter a FREE analysis of one of their songs. This will provide you with a better understanding of storytelling in songwriting so that you'll know what you're already doing well and where you can focus on improving.
You can also work with me on an album together. We can brainstorm central ideas and concepts, talk about the stories for each song and write the lyrics that will engage your listeners in what you want to express in your songs.
We can't send out demo tapes, but can you check our songs anyway?
Yes, absolutely. You don't have to have the music ready in order to apply for the analysis of your songs. I focus only on the lyrics and not on the melody or the musical implementation. So send me the lyrics of the songs in a Word-Document or in a PDF.
Do you work as a topliner as well?
No, I do not work as a topliner. I focus on consulting, coaching and writing songs together because I believe that everyone has a story to tell. And I want to support you to be able to tell what you need to express in your songs. So I'd love to work WITH you to tell truly powerful stories in your songs.
I've seen you're from Germany. Do you analyse German Songs as well?
Yes, I do. Na klar! I'm a German native speaker and I'd love to work with you! Just reach out to me via email or book a FREE 45-minute strategy call with me to get to know each other.
What if we have another question that's not answered here?
No worries! Just send me an email with your question or book a FREE 45-minute strategy call with me to talk about your songs, your goals, and how I can help!