Dwell in possibility....

I'm headed to the Durango Songwriters EXPO this weekend - which, inexplicably, is no longer held in Durango.  I know exactly one person who will be there, and I can legitimately only call her an "acquaintance".  The songwriting contest happens ahead of time, so I already know I didn't win (although the head guy was kind enough to take time to email me and tell me my songs were in the final screening process - and then a few days later told me I had broken the top 25).   I'll take it.

Networking.  My favorite.  Circling the room like a lioness stalking some antelope.  Then moving in for the kill - I mean - some conversation.  And never ever approach a group of 2 - only if there are 3 or more.  Etc.  These are the kinds of "tips" circling in my brain.  I may or may not pay any attention to them, however!  ....  Mostly I prefer the advice to simply "be friendly".

This quote seems appropriate:   "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."  - Eleanor Roosevelt

Signed,
K - Heer Goze

Ace.  The Helpful Place.  We even have pink duct tape.

Don't get me started....

Signed,
Stiep Lur Ning Kervv

These days I'm especially thankful for last month's GMA win.  That "bright spot" keeps me believing.  Keeps me dwelling in possibility.  Keeps me focused on the future.  Definitely easier some days than others....

My husband and I closed on an Ace Hardware store on Aug. 26.  I suspected the ensuing days would wreak havoc w/ my writing schedule.  Amen to THAT!  But there's still absolutely NO question in my mind that "writing" is what I'm meant to do.  I may have to take a break for a bit, but I WILL be back!  And in the meantime, I do what I can.  I write down ideas constantly.  I listen to the radio critically when I'm in the car - noticing what I like and don't like - analyzing why that's the case - and brainstorming about the next song.  I listen enthusiastically - even desperately - when my teenager wants to play a song for me.  I find myself distracted by the store's background music (today it was Taylor Swift, one of my favorites) when I'm supposed to be paying attention to the accounting software training my husband and I are going through.  I've mourned the fact that I'll miss WAJ this year (because of our first Ace Hardware convention as owners), but I registered for the Durango Songwriters EXPO in its place.  Today I sent off one of my favorite tween songs to 3 teenage girls - one in New York, one in Pennsylvania, and one in Australia.  I still faithfully read American Songwriter Magazine over my Frosted Shredded Wheat.  I actually chatted about songwriting the other day with an Ace customer, who kept coming back to find me and ask more about "which comes first - the melody or the lyric?"  I daydream about a new Ace jingle.  (Crazy, I know.)  And believe it or not, blogging is part of my "songwriting maintenance" as well...regardless of how creative or intriguing it turns out to be (or turns out NOT to be).  It may not happen as often as I'd like.  It may be less than inspired.  But I'm still here.

Here's the thing.  I'm not writing right now...and yet...I am.  "Writing" is more than working on a melody or lyric.  "Writing" is a lifestyle.  A mindset.  An identify.  A worldview. 

I am a songwriter.  I will always be a songwriter.  For now...I'm working on staying alive.

Signed,
Know Tearneen Bakk

A few weeks ago I attended Immerse 2009 (formerly Music in the Rockies, Estes Park, CO).  I didn't originally intend to, but....I'm so glad I did!  Two of my three song entries made the finals.  One finalist was "Nothing" in the American Bible Society Scripture category, which ended up taking 3rd.  And the other song did better yet:

GMA SONG OF 2009    

GMA Semi-Pro Class

“She Said” by Bev Herrema, Highland Ranch, Colo.


:)  !!!

I was totally unprepared for that to happen.  And I mean totally unprepared, folks.  (Guess I learned a lesson or two about that.)

If you want to hear the songs that made it to the finals, you can go to www.myspace.com/bevherrema.   ("She Said" and "Nothing")   Or hear the winning song in its proper "setting" by visiting my co-writers (Nikita Odnoralov & Ruslan Odnoralov of the band Everfound) @ www.everfoundmusic.com.  I actually have 3 co-writes on Everfound's new CD - She Said, Tangled, and Crashing.  Or you might catch a GMA press release somewhere or other.  Or I believe an update (and some of my crazy "story") will eventually be showing up via Write About Jesus.

It all still seems rather surreal!  I realize this would be no big deal for some of you out there.  But for me?  I'll admit it - it's kinda huge.  I feel humbled, fortunate, and extremely thankful to God for His faithfulness and generosity. 

And - just like that - one more chapter in my journey has been written.  Written - and lived.  Time to work on another song....

Signed,
Vurs Too

It's really important to me that I keep moving forward, one step at a time.  Yeah, maybe a single step doesn't seem like that big of a deal all by itself.  But those steps add up! 

Tonight I'm feeling overwhelmed by God's goodness - remembering and rejoicing in some steps He's given me the courage and opportunity to take.   Steps like picking up and practicing the guitar after so many years of piano, or learning to use Nuendo in the studio, or breaking out a new database for songwriting, or flying out for the first official Immerse event in Nashville, or attending a co-writing retreat new Louisville, KY, or braving the world of tween pop (which I happen to love), or heading downtown for some live jazz to soak in the incredible gift of music and rhythm.  Each one brings it's own challenge and occasional discomfort, but also joy!

Where have the steps of the last 5 years taken me?  One tangible result would be "cuts" this past year in multiple genres, including inspirational, Christian pop, rock/alternative and Southern Gospel.  (Yep - a surprise to me too!)  As you can imagine, when someone asks me what kind of music I write, I tend to fumble for answer!  ....  Another result would be cherished friends and co-writers I never dreamed I would know just a few short years ago - and they live all over the U.S. and Europe!  Beyond my understanding....

The thing is - it's important that I take another step each new day.  That's all God asks.  One more step.  A step in the direction God calls would be best.  But even when I'm not sure about north, south, east or west - I need to go ahead and take a step anyway!  He'll redirect me if/when I veer off course. He's done it before and I'm sure He'll need to do it again.

It's been a great day, and I'm going to bed knowing that I took a step today.  Not sure what step I'm going to take tomorrow, but I'll decide that in the morning - and then take it.  I've always loved this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, and I've mentioned it quite a few times in the last few weeks.  But here it is again....   "Do one thing every day that scares you."  :)

Maybe you should try it!

Signed,
Lepht - Write - Lepht - Write