July 2022
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 27, No. 07
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
We expect it to be scheduled for
Sunday July 3rd 2022 at 5pm. If you want the
zoom meeting details, please e-mail us
at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2022. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's
paypal account. The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
An Artist’s Journey
By Jackie Mason
I am eight weeks into another twelve week session of The Artist’s Way. I have written three pages of longhand every day since I began. I’m not using a small notebook. I’m using an 8 x 10 exercise book. I’m not cheating! If I cheat the only person I cheat is me! That’s the number one tool in The Artist’s Way. Three pages of longhand every day for twelve weeks. The pages are preferably written in the morning as soon as you wake up. The pages are affectionately known as morning pages. That term was coined by Julia Cameron who is the author of The Artist’s Way. I am not going to pull any punches. I’m going to tell you the hard truth. This kind of journaling is very hard to do at the beginning. I am a member of an Artist Way group on Facebook and the number one difficulty for most people are the dreaded pages.This is especially true when you do them for the first time. I can offer one tip. If you’re stuck for something to write about, make a list. The list can be about anything. A grocery list or a to do list. That usually trips the brain on to better ideas. One of my reasons for journaling is that it’s therapeutic. There’s nothing like a big word dump to resolve issues. The pages bring things into focus and calm your mind. This is a link to a great article about morning pages. What makes it even better is that it was written by a skeptic.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/03/morning-pages-change-your-life-oliver-burkeman
I’m like the writer of this article because in four weeks I will start another 12 week stretch. I believe that they sharpen my discipline and stimulate me creatively. Here is a positive video for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DA45eebMCg It will give you more ideas and tips. Here’s another video by the same person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tdYazay92E&list=PL37ErCJmMWd17X-0ble3w4M-Qv2Iq1UGG In this video she explains how to write stream of consciousness. Her name is Lavendaire and she’s very helpful. The next link is a longer video. It is an interview with Julia Cameron.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlgucKP1oV8 This is Julia’s website. https://juliacameronlive.com/
Journaling is therapeutic but it is, also, a valuable songwriting tool. This comes from songwriter Sarah Spencer. ”Journaling helps you write more authentic songs.” And she provides this quote from Taylor Swift.” “The more it seems like a journal entry the better,” said Swift. “The more it seems like an open letter the better. The more true and honest and real it gets the better. Where you’re naming the places you went and the time it happened and all the things about a relationship.”
Bill Conger, SongwritingUniverse.com Sarah has other reasons that you may want to journal, Read about them in this wonderful article.
http://songfancy.com/journaling-for-beginning-songwriters-the-songwriters-ultimate-secret-weapon/ I like this one “Journaling tones up your writer’s brain.” It’s the writing equivalent of going to the gym every day. Make no mistake about it, journaling when approached honestly is a real commitment.
This video comes from Youtuber Joe Gilder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCvVngjQkyY I agree with Joe. Journaling gets you in touch with your rawest emotions and they are the ingredients of great songs.
This is some leftover stuff from last month. If you remember I was looking for songwriter destinations and camps. Dream Catcher Events are the promoter behind Rodney Crowell’s “It Starts With A Song.” I wrote about it last month. Here is a list of upcoming events from Dream Catcher. https://dreamcatcher-events.com/upcoming-events/ I would be interested in hanging out with guitar maestros Tommy Emmanuel and Robert Fripp. Just one at a time!
See you next month. I’m still stalking the halls of The Tower of Song.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for June, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2022 ISG