When I took up the challenge to write 100 songs this year, I didn’t know where all this would take me…
And I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve already grown.
I recently finished a song that (I think) has potential. I’m not saying it will ever be a hit; I’m simply saying it’s a good song. I’ve been working on this one since February, and I knew it was special when I first started it. Please understand, the songwriting process is like finding a shiny coin on the sidewalk. You notice it, pick it up, & then decide what to do with it. I truly feel like I wander into song ideas. And then I have to figure out what to do with them.
This time, I’ve decided to let this song explore some possibilities. Yesterday I entered it in a pretty well known songwriting contest. My heart pounded when I decided to do this.
But it’s not about winning. I don’t care if I win. I just care about being a songwriter who stewards the songs she has. And I’m taking baby steps this year to do that… Writing. Reading. Learning. Listening. Writing some more.
And taking care of the good songs that I pick up along the way.
This is what gets me excited. This is what makes my heart pound.
Please don’t get the wrong idea here. I am highly uncomfortable with self promotion (so much so that I even hesitated to even write this post), and feel presumptuous submitting a song. But, if this is who I want to be, then I need to start acting like I am. Right?
So, if I don’t submit this song, then I won’t.
And I don’t want to “won’t.”
I want to say that I did.
Parents often find it hard to let their kids leave the nest and face the big wide world out there…
but if we want our kids to fly sometimes we need to give them a shove!
<B
I’m really excited for you Mandy. It is nervewracking, but (depending on the contest) the feedback from the judges is great.
And if you’re gonna be a singer/songwriter, then shameless (but honest) self-promotion is necessary.
So be presumptuous – it suits you
Suits me? hhhhhheck no…. But I will be working through this one.
Do. Do. Do. So exciting.
“If you did it, its not bragging.” Walt Whitman.
(still feels like bragging)
yeah, i know. but if it is ever thrown in your face, just let it fall off.
reluctantly acknowledging that which many others have already affirmed is a big step. congrats on taking it. the outcome, as you said, does not matter… just the step you’ve taken matters.
Thanks Ric. Taking your words to heart…
When I started writing in the middle of last year I was the opposite of you: far too confident. I think I’d kept all my creativity pent up for so long that it had fed on itself. Each short story I wrote I was convinced was so wonderful: never perfect, but pretty damn good.
By the end of the year I had completed my first novel, but I had also found some very experienced people (published authors and editors) to give me feedback. They have (fortunately
) never said my writing is rubbish, but they have shown me areas I need to work on.
This hasn’t disheartened me in anyway, I am enjoying being taught new things and I get excited waiting for the feedback after I’ve sent off a batch of chapters. Not quite as excited as when I get a new idea, but I want to hear what these people have to say rather than dread it.
My point being (after a bit of meandering
) don’t fear putting your stuff out there. It may not be as good as you first think it is – nothing beats that first moment of creation – or it may be ten times better, but when you give something to the world you get so much more back.
Good luck with the competition and keep creating. Oh, and when you’ve got something to show make sure you tell people. Shout it from street corners, broadcast it on Twitter and hit them with a major leafleting campaign.
Good advice, Leigh! Really.
I may have to get this song out there, then. Leafleting style!!
true that, sister!
i’m proud of you for stepping out.
are we gonna get to hear this song?
Wow! 100 songs! Not even professional recording artists write that many songs in a year. On a recent episode of the All About Worship Podcast, Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane shared that he writes about 12 songs a year and said that even that is a struggle.
Very cool goal! That will definitely help you grow as a songwriter.
What the heck do the pros do with all their time, then?!?
I can tell you what the Stones did. (and many others) Obsessive re-writing and re-arranging! But if even for the exercise of writing til you drop, even when it’s not all “AMAZING”…I tip my hat to you and harbor the sort of jealousy that causes things to happen. Thanks to inspiration from you and others, I’ve been writing more, and finishing more! So…thanks.
Wow, Tami. Thanks for those words… I’ve been low on inspiration lately, and your encouragement serves as a good “get back up & go at it.”
Where’s the link to tune you subitted?? You have us curious now, you know??
dang. I know. I didn’t want it to be as much about the song as about the process…
The song may be up in the future… maybe
Is it weird that my heart just started beating really really fast for you? I think I’m nervous on your behalf!!!
That, and extremely excited about your talent and your courage. It’s not bragging, it’s stepping out in faith to do what God designed for you.
Woohoo! It’s more about the courage to submit than the results of the submitting. Our job is to be faithful … the rest is up to Him. Keep it up!
That’s a great step-out, Mandy! I struggle with this a lot as a prose writer and shoot down many ideas before they even fully form.
Congratulations to you for acting on the wisdom to nurture and care for this song, giving it space to be its own creation and being so supportive of it as to put it in a contest. Looking forward to hearing it when we can.
In the mean time, have you made any progress on the soundtrack to “ChocoBacon?”
This is another one of those times when I was trying to be funny and it really, didn’t work. Sorry.
no no no – this is one of those times we were both trying to be funny!!!i knew you were… LOL
Ah, whew! This is whole Internet, blogging thing is so much fun but tone and intent can be so easily misinterpreted. Glad we were on the same page even when I didn’t know it!
Congrats on stepping out with your gift. Let it shine!
I really enjoy following the great progress you are making on this challenge, especially since I am not the one doing all the work.
I also love that Drew has been encouraging you every step of the way. Of course he also isn’t the one doing all the work.
You guys do make such a great team.
I can’t wait for the CD. Are you working on the music video yet?
From all your post this seems to be a very rewarding process for you. Just think what you would have missed out on if you had said, “I won’t”.
I would’ve possibly missed out on what I’m wired to do. I just wish I did this 10 years ago Why did I wait so long…?
i believe in you. i believe you are an artist. a wonderful vocalist, a great guitar player, and a gifted song writer. see now its in print..there your first review..and you got all stars!!!!!!!
proud of you, happy for you…
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