27 Lessons Learned from a Month of Songwriting

So last month I took on a new challenge– I signed up for February Album Writing Month (FAWM) and committed to writing 14 songs in 29 days.

It was a whirlwind month with its ups and downs, complete with school vacation for my kindergartner which made things extra exciting. Some days were good writing days, others were not.

Overall?

I’m 100% glad I jumped at this chance to try something new. It definitely pushed me to do something I wouldn’t have done otherwise.

Over the month I wrote 10 songs and wrote partial lyrics for around 8 more. (I even like a few of the songs, which is something!)

In the spirit of letting you all learn from my experience, here is a glimpse into my month of songwriting!

27 Lessons Learned from a Month of Songwriting (by a non-songwriter)

1. People are friendly!

The FAWM community welcomed me to their midst with encouragement and friendly hellos within a few hours of me signing up. (Including a shout out from Finland, where I have family, so that made my day!)

2. Other people are out there to help.

I hate asking for help. But as part of FAWM there were a bunch of forums and conversations happening offering help, advice, and collaborations. No ulterior motives, just people helping out. It was great to see.

3. Fear happens.

I’m afraid of failure, being vulnerable, looking stupid… all the things. This is normal. I need to accept the fear and move forward.

4. This is hard.

Yeah, humility is a good lesson to be reminded of.
All those songwriters out there who make this look easy? You guys put way more work into your art than you probably get credit for. I have so much respect for you.
I did not find this easy.

5. When I sit down, something will be created.

It’s like magic. I don’t always really know how it happens. But when I sit myself down to do the work, things will be created.

6. Something created is better than nothing.

Even if my work is terrible, it’s still something.

7. Sometimes the thing created is actually pretty good.

It’s not ALWAYS terrible!!

8. I can do impossible things.

Guess what? I can do things I didn’t know I could ever do.

9. Don’t overthink it.

I need to just throw myself out there, share my work, finish the song, keep moving forward.

10. The first step is the hardest… every time.

Sitting down to do the work never gets easier. Writing those first few words is the hardest. I need to just push to make that first bit happen which will allow more to happen.

11. Don’t look back.

Halfway through I question everything I’ve done and wonder why I haven’t done more. I need to remember to channel Edna Mode, “I never look back, darling, it distracts from the now.”

12. I owe it to myself to keep going.

I want to make myself proud and make myself grow. That means I need to keep moving forward.

13. Bribery and threats work.

Accountability is great! So is bribing myself with reading and coffee breaks when I’ve finished my writing.

14. It’s fine if it’s not all good.

It won’t all be good.

15. It’s fine if it’s not even all complete.

Not all my songs are complete songs. They’re still worth something.

16. It’s okay if other people don’t like it.

My people pleaser self struggles with this. But the songs are for me and that’s enough.

17. Be brave!

Even if the songs are for me, they are still meant to be shared. Which takes bravery!

18. Sharing work helps me grow.

Feedback through FAWM is almost exclusively positive by design, which is really wonderful for a newbie like me, actually. It makes it much easier to share work with other people.
Even when it’s scary, there is huge value in being vulnerable and allowing feedback though! This is where we can learn and grow a lot.

19. I’ll never be ready (and that’s okay).

I’m never going to be ready to write a song, finish a song, or share a song. I’m never 100% confident. And that’s okay. I can still do it anyway.

20. The magic continues.

When I sit down to write, something still happens. Every sing time.
I still don’t understand how. But when I make myself work, make myself write, things get created.

21. It still doesn’t need to be good.

Even when I think I should be improving or know what I’m doing, my work still might not be good. And that’s okay.

22. Being vulnerable makes it real.

It’s a bit scary opening up and sharing what’s in my heart. But the songs where I did? Those are the best ones.

23. Don’t hide it in a box.

I had to make myself not throw anything away. Even the bad songs are worth something and worth saving to look back at.

24. Accept help.

Sometimes I need help and that’s okay. I need to ask. Accept. Be appreciative. It doesn’t make our work any lesser to have received help, in fact it often makes it greater.

25. Have fun!

It’s an adventure and it doesn’t need to be serious! There were songs being written in the FAWM community about presidents, the periodic table of elements, board games, and pretty much anything you could think of.

25. Be proud!

I didn’t reach my goal but I’m still proud of what I created. Creating, learning, and experiencing new things are all super amazing and valuable! Sometimes even just the effort is worth being proud of regardless of the result.

27. Keep going, keep writing, look forward to the next impossible thing.

Because I can do six impossible things before breakfast… I’m not about to stop now!!

My next new adventure is looking into how to record a few of my new tunes… and then it’s back to my novels! 🙂

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What about you? What new challenges are you taking on or what lessons are you learning?

Best of luck with all your writing and creative endeavors!