Creative Crossroads featuring Erin Stoll

There is a big difference between the world of being an artist putting on a show full of lights cameras, and attractions that pull the audiences eye than the type of show that is what songwriters know of as a "Writer's Round". A songwriter's goal is to pull the audiences ear more than its eyes, tell you a story in under four minutes, and weave that story into a melody that you can't get out of your head. The next featured songwriter on creative crossroads does just that. Erin Stoll has a gift for songwriting and storytelling.

"I’ve always believed that everyone has a story worth telling. What first inspired me to write my own songs was the desire to share my experiences in a way that could connect with and encourage others. Some of life’s biggest challenges, lessons, and victories have shaped who I am, and songwriting gives me an outlet to turn those moments into something meaningful.

I love performing great songs, but there’s something special about writing authentically from your own life. When someone hears one of my songs and says, “I’ve felt that too,” that connection is incredibly powerful. My goal has always been to be honest, real, and vulnerable in my writing, with the hope that my story might inspire someone else through theirs."

Finding a connection within your songs is such a critical way to impact your audiences' emotions and find a group that connects with you. When we go back to our songwriting origins, we often find that it started with a connection in our own lives. What influenced Erin Stoll's songwriting path? "Most of my best song ideas come from whatever season of life I’m walking through at the time. Whether it’s a struggle, a victory, a lesson learned, or a moment of growth, I tend to write from real experiences and emotions. I’ve always believed that the most powerful songs come from a place of honesty. I’m also inspired by nostalgia. Sometimes a memory, a familiar place, a scent, or even a conversation can instantly take me back to another time in my life. Those moments often spark ideas that turn into songs because they’re rooted in genuine feelings and experiences that so many people can relate to."

Authenticity is a word that replays throughout many of Erin's responses. Each song written carries a piece of her hope, a piece of her heart ache, and a piece of her fear. For me, I was eager to learn which of her songs meant the most to hear personally. "One of the songs that means the most to me personally is "Mirrors." It’s a deeply personal song because it reflects a journey of self-reflection, growth, and learning to see yourself through a different lens. Like many people, I’ve faced moments of doubt, insecurity, and questioning my worth, and this song came from working through those emotions. What makes Mirrors so special to me is that it’s honest and vulnerable. It captures a chapter of my life that helped shape who I am today. The most rewarding part is hearing from listeners who connect with its message and see parts of their own story in it. Those are the moments that remind me why I write songs in the first place."

Each time a songwriter puts a piece of their vulnerability in a lyric, I am left wondering what lessons they learn from it. When I asked Erin if she had written a song that taught her something about herself, she said, "I think some of the most meaningful songs are the ones that reveal something to you while you’re writing them. There have been times when I’ve sat down thinking I was writing about one thing, only to realize I was actually working through emotions, experiences, or lessons that I hadn’t fully processed yet. Songwriting has a way of holding up a mirror and forcing you to be honest with yourself. Through the process, I’ve learned a lot about my own resilience, faith, and personal growth. Some songs have helped me find clarity, healing, or a new perspective on situations I was facing. Those are often the songs that end up connecting most deeply with listeners because they’re coming from a very real and authentic place."

I followed that question up with asking Erin what lyric she has written that give her chills still. She responded, "One lyric that still gives me chills every time I sing it is, “And you wore the title, the crown, but not the heart.” To me, that line captures the difference between appearing to be something and truly living it. Someone can hold a title, wear the crown, and look the part from the outside, but that doesn’t mean they embody the love, character, or integrity that should come with it. That lyric resonates with me because it’s about seeing people for who they truly are rather than who they claim to be. It’s a reminder that actions will always reveal what’s in someone’s heart. Every time I sing it, I’m taken back to the emotions and experiences that inspired it, and I think that’s why it still hits me so deeply."

Here are songwriting tips from Erin Stoll for those songwriters that are still dreaming of making their mark and those that are interested in working on their craft.

• Where do you your best song ideas come from?

"Most of my best song ideas come from whatever season of life I’m walking through at the time. Whether it’s a struggle, a victory, a lesson learned, or a moment of growth, I tend to write from real experiences and emotions. I’ve always believed that the most powerful songs come from a place of honesty. I’m also inspired by nostalgia. Sometimes a memory, a familiar place, a scent, or even a conversation can instantly take me back to another time in my life. Those moments often spark ideas that turn into songs because they’re rooted in genuine feelings and experiences that so many people can relate to."

• What comes first for you the lyric, the melody, or the emotion?

"For me, there’s no single formula when it comes to songwriting. Sometimes a melody comes first and I’ll build the lyrics around it. Other times, a lyric, title, or even just a single line pops into my head and becomes the foundation for the entire song. More often than not, it starts with a feeling or an experience that I’m trying to process or express. Once that initial spark hits, I usually start recording voice notes, writing down lyric ideas, or jotting thoughts into my notes app so I don’t lose them.

From there, I begin piecing together the story, finding the melody and phrasing that best capture the emotion behind it. I’ll often revise lyrics several times until they feel authentic and say exactly what I want them to say. The process can take a few hours or several months, depending on the song, but my goal is always the same: to create something honest, relatable, and emotionally impactful."

• Do you have any songwriting rituals?

"I wouldn’t say I have a strict songwriting ritual because inspiration can strike anywhere and at any time. One habit I do have is keeping my phone nearby so I can quickly record voice memos, melodies, lyric ideas, or song titles before they slip away. I’ve learned that some of the best ideas come when you least expect them. I also try to stay present and pay attention to the world around me. Conversations, life experiences, memories, and everyday moments often spark ideas for songs. When I’m writing, I like to find a quiet space where I can focus on the emotion and story I’m trying to tell. More than anything, I try not to force it. I find that the best songs come when I’m being honest, authentic, and open to wherever the creative process takes me."

• What's one practical songwriting exercise you can give the readers?

"One of the best pieces of songwriting advice I’ve ever received came from Scot Sax: don’t write what you think people want to hear, write what’s true. The songs that connect the deepest are usually the ones that come from a real place. A practical exercise anyone can try is to think of a moment in their life that changed them in some way and write about it without worrying about rhyme, melody, or whether it’s “good enough.”

Just tell the story honestly. You can always edit later, but you can’t edit a blank page. For aspiring songwriters who are waiting to write their first song, my encouragement is simple. JUST START. Don’t worry about writing a hit song. Don’t worry about whether anyone else will hear it. Just write your truth. Every great songwriter started with a first song, and the more you write, the better you’ll become. Be authentic, trust your voice, and remember that your story matters. There is only one person who can tell it the way you can."

Such epic advice for getting motivated to write a song.

What's up Next for Erin Stoll?

There’s a lot happening this year, and I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead.

" I recently released “I’m Not the One,” a duet with Mitch Kirkpatrick, and my next single, “Pick Yourself Up,” drops on August 7. Following that, I’ll be releasing another single, “Thank You,” in September. In August, I’ll be heading into the studio with acclaimed producer Skidd Mills to begin work on a new EP, which I’m really looking forward to sharing with everyone.

I’ll also be performing several full-band shows out of state, along with songwriter rounds and acoustic performances throughout Nashville for the remainder of the year. It’s also been an exciting awards season. I’m honored to be up for six Josie Music Awards and two ISSA Awards this year. I’ll also be attending the CMA Awards, and I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with fans, industry professionals, and fellow artists.

You can follow along and stay up to date on new music, tour dates, and behind-the-scenes content here: Instagram: @erin_stoll_official Facebook: facebook.com/erinstollmusicohio

TikTok: @erinstollmusic X: @stollcountry

Website: erinstoll.com

For booking and media inquiries: erinstollmusic@gmail.com

Be sure to check out my latest releases, “I’m Not the One” featuring Mitch Kirkpatrick, and watch for “Pick Yourself Up” on August 7 and “Thank You” this September."