Adventures in Co-Writing

When I first began writing God knows how long ago (stop doing the math people, it makes me feel old!), I remember reading one piece of advice that everyone felt the need to give to beginners, such as myself... "Find people to co-write with".

Seems easy enough, right? Wrong! So so so wrong! Because as a beginner, it seems like nobody, who has been doing this for a decent period of time, is ever interested in writing with you. Honestly, can you blame them? I mean, these folks have spent years mastering their craft, and us newbies approach them with our "I can't get enough your love, it's a gift from above." crap. 

Honestly, when nobody wanted to write with me, being the know-it-all teenager that I was at the time, I just shrugged my shoulders and said "I've got this". But, in all honesty, those people who wouldn't give me the time of day turned out to be some of the best "co-writers" I've ever had. Because those people refused to take my hand and show me the ropes, I had to find my own way. That was the most amazing thing anyone could have ever done for me. It taught me to think outside of the box, and it made me challenge myself. Why? Because I had to prove that I was good enough for them to take the time to work with me. So I spent years listening to trends in modern country, and finding my own style of writing.  I posted lyrics for critiques and made it a point to consider every suggestion. Now, did I go along with what everyone told me? No, because I'm stubborn like that. But I tried to understand their thought processes, even if my song was heading in a completely different direction. Over time, I slowly but surely began to improve. Eventually, I got the courage to reach out to other writers again.

When I came across Layton James a few years ago, I figured he'd blow me off, like all the others had. But remarkably, he gave me a shot. Not only did he give me a shot, but he didn't give up on me! Now, to any other beginner writers out there who may be reading this, when they tell us newbies to find a co-writer, it's for our own good! I promise! How so? It's because they challenge us! It's because you play off of one another. It's because you can be rambling on about something completely unrelated and they will say "that sounds like a song." They can throw us off, and make us re-evaluate what we are doing. 

This morning was a prime example! I opened an email from Layton saying that he had finished a song that we had been working on. Not only that, he said he was going to play it during a live radio show. Good news right? I thought so too, until I read what he sent me. It about gave me a heart attack...and not in a good way. It was...a bit of a mess. I tried to calm myself down and write, in a very polite way, that I, basically, didn't like it.  Both verses talked about a sunset (which would work if the song was about sunsets...but it wasn't.) And one verse said "daylight" twice. Due to my OCD, these little details are what drive me nuts. After my initial email, I sent a "let me explain my train of thought" message as well, and outlined where I envisioned the song going. 

My co-writer's response? "I figured I'd get you all bent and flowing with ideas."...he was never going to play it, and he knew it wasn't finished.  He had me freaking out all morning over nothing. I went into work with my head spinning, trying to think of lines that were so catchy, that he wouldn't be able to resist them. Well, he's a freaking genius. He knocked me out of my comfort zone and back on track. During this past week, I had semi-settled for okay. But after I thought through the song, and emailed him my "vision", I felt more motivated to go above and beyond! Why? Because of my kick-ass co-writer and his twisted sense of humor.

So, even though us newbies do not want to hear that we need to seek out co-writers, it is for the best! I promise!