Show up early and you may score a hug. Photo by Laura

Show up early and you may score a hug. Photo by Laura Musselman.For those of you who’ve always wanted to know the secret to penning gems like “Ultimatum,” “Car Parts,” and “Cinnamon”, you’ll want to wander over to 826 tonight for SW scribe/Long Winters frontman’s spiel. His humor, beard, and tales from Alaska are alone worth the cost of admission. Details after the jump.According to the 826 site, topics to be covered includeHow to be a musician when you’re not that good of a musician.How to keep writing when everything you write is boring and terrible.How to completely rewrite songs you thought were finished.How to maintain some semblance of dignity in a shameful world.How to find the coconut of an idea in a sea of cliches.How to, when all else fails, become a colorful personality.Topics NOT included include:How to get your demo to Barsuk Records.How to find a manager.How to get a major-label recording contract.How to write a radio hit.”How to Be a Musician When You’re Not That Good of a Musician,” with John Roderick, goes down at 7 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $30. 826 Seattle is located at 8414 Greenwood Ave. North