Co-writing is about give and take.

I was praying that I would have something to give! 

When we first gathered in the sanctuary at the Lodge on Thursday evening, I looked around at all the writers and as much as I tried not to….I made the assumption that everyone there had it “all together.”  They were all confident, secure, songwriters.  They all had notebooks full of great ideas…ready to write the most amazing songs.  They had all had a great week….no problems at all….and couldn’t wait to sit down and spend hours upon hours writing!

I know better than that.  I know we are all on this journey together.  I know that my journey probably isn’t that different from their journey.  I have pain, I have struggles, and there are days I wonder if I am accomplishing anything at all.

The cool thing is that in the middle of all that……there is something to give.  That’s the beauty of co-writing.  I share an idea that comes from right where I am (the good, the bad, the ugly).  In fact, that is the only way I can write.  I don’t want to write about what I “think” someone is feeling, or how I “wonder” someone would handle this problem….I want to write about what is REAL to me.  Because chances are, it is real to you, too.

So I share that with my co-writers…..they share how they feel…..and somewhere in the beautiful honesty of being real…..lyrics are born and a melody is created that can eventually fly the song to soul of someone who needed to hear just what was said.  

And on a weary night in the not too distant future, someone can turn on the radio or put on a CD to listen to and hear words that will minister to their need and they will wonder how God could inspire someone to write a song just for them!  And I really believe that God does just that!

I know if I continue to give, God will continue to take!  

When I left for Atlanta on Thursday morning, I was in a bit of a hurry.  I piddled around Thursday morning and then realized it was 8:45 and I had a plane to be on in Atlanta at 1:10….which means I should probably be at the airport by 11:10.  Thanks to a great flow of traffic, I managed to make it by 11:30!  

The check-in line wasn’t too long and I made it through security without beeping, but then a nice man asked if he could look through my carry on bag.  OK fine….just hurry up.  I was totally shocked when he told me that my mousse can was too big.  What?  I’ve carried this mousse can on several flights; I know because I only use one kind of mousse.  I discovered it about five years ago and I don’t use anything else.  I’ve never had anyone check my bag and tell me I couldn’t take it on the plane.  Of course, it’s been a while since I’ve flown out of Atlanta…I usually fly out of Jacksonville.  Now I remember why.  He also told me my toothpaste and hairspray would have to go, or I could go back to bag check-in. By now it is Noon, but I figure I have to try.  He escorts me through some of the ropes and I’m bag at the check-in area.  Fortunately the line is even shorter and I get through in no time at all.  

It was actually nice flying without worrying about that heavy carry on bag.  When we boarded the plane, I didn’t have to worry about finding an empty overhead bin, or worry about dropping it on someone’s head as I try to shove it into those impossibly small spaces….I just sat in my seat and opened the new mystery novel I purchased at the airport bookstore.  I had to buy a new novel because I left the book I’d already brought to read in my carry-on that was now a “checked in” bag and traveling in the belly of the plane!

The flight was smooth and I got to the Memphis airport right on schedule.  There was a short layover and then I boarded the next play for Louisville, KY.  We made that flight in 52 minutes and my phone rang as I was headed to get my bag.  It was Ed and he told me that he was going to be my ride and I would find him holding a sign with my name on it in the baggage claim area.  We also met Terry at the airport, another co-write participant for the weekend and we were off to Underwood, Indiana.     

We had a great conversation on the way over.  We were all anticipating a great weekend.

But then I began to wonder what the weekend would be like?  I’ve never been in a “co-writing room” before.  The only co-writing I’ve done is with my friend, Jonathan.  We’ve met in my favorite place to write, our church sanctuary.  We chat for a while about what’s going on and then someone ends up at the piano bench playing something they’ve written, or an idea for a song.  It is just so natural and not intimidating at all.  So what is it like to walk into a room with someone I don’t really know and write a song?

I feel like I went from Co-writing 101 to 501 this weekend!  I learned so much about writing.  I learned co-writing is about allowing “the moment” to be in the room….the moment of honesty when you are sharing your heart and an idea you have for a song, the moment of silence when everyone is searching for the perfect word to rhyme with the other perfect word you’ve already found, the moment of wanting the song to be the best it can be even if it means re-writing, re-writing and re-writing!  

My first co-write of the weekend was with Joel Lindsey and Phil Mehrens…..just two of the best, you know?  I was trying not to be scared, but I was certainly out of my comfort zone.  We talked for a while and I began to feel at ease….”these really are just two normal, every day guys…..who happen to be amazing songwriters!!”  We shared ideas we had been thinking about and then decided to write on an idea that I had.  It was fun to see how the song developed.  After a while, Phil went to the keyboard and began to play a beauitful melody.  I am always inspired by that and loved what he was playing.  Before we knew it, it was time for the lunch break.  We ended up finishing the song that night.  I can’t wait to see what happens.  It’s called “If I’m Willing.”