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| November 2003 Guild Tidings The official Publication of The International Songwriters Guild Volume 8, No. 11 NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, November 2nd, 2003 The International Songwriter's Guild meets the first Sunday of every month at the Central Florida Musician's Union building at 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme east end of Robinson less than a block from Herndon Airport). Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. Officers: President/Treasurer Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328 Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212 Membership Coordinator/Website Coordinator Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 760-2153 Archives Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795 President's Letter Dear Members, Wow, let me tell you, our last meeting was like old times. We got to critique some very interesting songs and I believe everyone left in good spirits. Sometimes I feel a member might leave a bit upset after one of their songs was criticized, but we want everyone to know that anything said is intended to help make their songs better. That�s an understanding among us. If you saw our October newsletter, you read we are having our Xmas party at an early date. The only date we can get the clubhouse we want is Sunday, November 30th. We did the same thing last year and it turned out well. At 5 PM we�ll have a brief meeting and start the party shortly afterwards. Everyone is to bring a covered dish, if you please. If you have an original Christmas song, be sure to let us hear it. Of course we�ll listen to anything else you�d like us to hear. Don�t be bashful! Feel free to bring a friend or two, but be sure to bring extra food. I am inviting Dolly Parton; she has a new club in Orlando and perhaps might be in town. She has a membership card for our guild. I am spending Thanksgiving in Knoxville, but of course will be back for the meeting and party. Perhaps some of you that we haven�t seen for awhile will come that Sunday. I�m looking forward to it! And I hope to see you all at our regular November meeting, this Sunday the 2nd. Best ever, Russ Robinson Christmas Party News!!! What: ISG Meeting and Christmas Party When: Sunday, November 30th from 5 PM till...? Where: Starlight Ranch (same place as last year; Directions: the ISG Christmas party (and December meeting) is being held at the Starlight Ranch clubhouse, 6000 East Pershing Avenue about a block east of Semoran. Starlight Ranch is on the south side of the road, and actually has two clubhouses. Our meeting/party is at the second clubhouse. You'll pass the first one on the left, just inside the entrance. Keep driving; the second clubhouse is a couple of minutes further along, and also on the left. Special thanks to Art Cappuccio for setting it up! Who's invited: ISG members, friends, and family What to bring: A covered dish and drinks, enough for your party. If you'd like, come prepared to perform one or more of your original songs (no critiquing). What to expect: Lots of music, food, and fun! Telling Someone Else�s Story By Matt Griffin For most of us, songwriting is something of a personal experience. And it should be; any well-written song is inevitably an emotional expression of the writer or writers. We�ve all told or retold events of our own lives in song. Some writers do this almost exclusively. But as writers, we ought to be able to tell someone else�s story. Autobiographical material gets old after awhile. For fresh new song ideas, mine the available media (newspapers, internet, etc.) for interesting anecdotes�that is, someone else�s anecdotes. Listen to your friends and coworkers, and borrow ideas. One way to do this is to make the story your own. Basically, jump in the skin of the main character and relate the tale in the first person. Creating a character in lyrics is pretty much the same as doing so in a novel or poem. Try to think the way you believe your character would. Most importantly, use language suitable to the character and stick with it. If you�re telling the child�s side of the spanking, better keep your words simple and childlike; one adult word will ruin the effect. A hick should talk like a hick and a truck driver should talk like a truck driver. Lovers might use tender, flowing words; divorcees might use harsh, angry ones. And if you can imbue your character with even more complex traits, all the better. Songs have been written that sympathize with adulterers and thieves. Shades of meaning are hard to pull off but can make a good song lyric great. What if your character has different beliefs than yours? Just because you cannot imagine impulsively kissing the cashier at your local WalMart doesn�t mean your hero can�t. Think of it as trying on a costume. When you�re wearing the costume, anything the character might do is fair game. You can also tell a story the traditional way, in third person narrative. Third person tells a less personal story and provides some detachment. It�s a good way to relate a more difficult story, one that might put a first-person singer in a bad light. We all know people who talk about themselves all the time, perhaps to the exclusion of all other conversation. These folks are wearisome to be around. So let�s apply the logic to our songwriting, and try not to write about ourselves all of the time. Besides, there are lots of good stories out there. ISG Bulletin Board Printing services for Guild Tidings are graciously provided by Printing USA, 4732 South Orange Blossom Trail (just south of Holden), Orlando. Phone: (407) 857-7468. Just wanted to let you know that the certificates are ready for distribution. Please see Susan at the next meeting to pick them up if you placed in any of the monthly evaluations. Custom CD Cover Art - Full color paintings, black & white illustrations to computer-edited photos with half-tone for photocopying. Prices start at $25. Call John Martello at (407) 293-1739 or email: [email protected]. Omega Ltd. Productions 3415 Silverwood Drive Pine Hills, FL 32808-2847 Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule! Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ([email protected]). Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting. Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing in the ISG. For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ or Matt or email: [email protected] New members always welcome!!! October TOP FIVE Winners of last month�s evaluation session (members only) (1) At Christmastime Larry L. Martin (2) A Time in Your Life Susan Foster-Trewick and Kent Trewick (3) Time Marches In Bill �V� Vontobel (4) She�s My Little Angel Gar Brandt (5) I Don�t Need Love Jim D�Andrea � 2003 ISG http://www.geocities.com/i_s_g_2000 |