JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum FAWM 2015! Who's gonna be there?

It's that time of year again, folks.

The FAWM site has relaunched, and scores of rabid FAWMers are pawing at the Gate in a frenzy of inspiration and enthusiasm.

The Challenge itself begins at midnight on February 1st.

Several JPFers have taken part in the past. Will we see you there this year?

UPDATE Jan. 29: SITE NOW OPEN

http://www.fawm.org

And here's a link to FAWM FAQ.
http://fawm.org/help/

Donna

I'll be doing it again. I only got 5 or 6 songs for 50/90 last summer so I need some new tunes.

I really hope I can finish my CD this month so I can send it to Brian for the JPF music awards (even if I don't get past stage 1!!!). But then what happens if I write my best song ever in February?? ... That is what I have been saying for three years now (ha, ha). But, actually, four songs from fawm 2014 and one song from 50/90 knocked others off the CD (so it is a possibility).

Yeah, I'll be there. I went by to look things over today and saw that I had a brand new comment from last years stuff. A little short lyric of mine That Sherry Somach musicated for me. They said she sounded like Marlene Dietrich and they're right!! --on that one at least

Hi Donna, Wy and Kevin:

If I were a wee bit younger, I'd sure give it a try. Several years ago I wrote 30 songs in 30 days. You can imagine just how crappy most of them turned out... but... surprisingly, a couple turned out much better than I expected.

I wonder what changes the dynamic in this kind of activity? Perhaps I realize how important it is to get all the parts and pieces lined up just right... including the editing. Now I struggle to do more than a couple of songs each month. It's not a shortage of song-stories or hooks... it must have something to do with energy levels and all the darn interferences one encounters in day-to-day living.

No matter... I won't even try the FAWM thing now... but I sure wish all of you the best of luck. Break a leg, gang... and keep us posted about how it all turns out for each of you.

Best regards,

Dave

I am planning to be there......

Will be good to see you there again, Kevin, Wy, and Colin.

Dave, age has nothing to do with it. The 'dynamic' has to do with the general spirit of camaraderie, fun, and enthusiasm.

And the goal isn't to have 14 'polished' songs by the end of February. Most folks do their revising and fine tuning after FAWM. It's all about getting at least something down, even if it's just the bare bones of an idea that will be fleshed out later. And there are plenty of mini-challenges and 'skirmishes' (write a lyric/song/instrumental within one hour and to a particular hook).

It's amazing what kinds of things emerge, with people constantly tip-toeing or even rushing out of their comfort zones.

Above all, FAWM isn't a competition. It's a self-challenge to be open to new possibilities.

Well…You did ask about the dynamic. And thanks for the good wishes.

Donna

Yep, on the dynamics-- FAWM is kind of "infectious" and "contagious" and stuff like that. I usually have some title, hooks and lines stashed from earlier in the year and wind up not using many of them-- I draw most ideas from FAWM postings

I feel like I have been doing Fawm for years at a time.

the question for me is will I NOT do it.

Why is febuary the month anyway? You cant count the first day cause that is the superbowl.

FAWM, for most of us, is almost about as much about the community as it is about writing 14 new songs in February. So many people have decided, subjectively, that is such a great experience that FAWM's greatness has become an objective fact.

Yep, as Kevin said, It's more of an "experience"

Humm,
I've heard about this event a time or three. Is there a location where this happens or is it just a viritual thing. For me to write 14 songs in a month would require at least 14 co-writers! They had or are having a bluegrass festival here on Jekyll. They have a show once a year. There was a picture in the paper of all those guys sitting around with their acoustics. I think I still have a 45 (RPM Record) of Bill Monroe playing Blue Moon of Kentucky. Write a Hit!

It is virtual at http://fawm.org

Let's see (in fawm 2014):
Donna had 10 different co-writers with 11 co-written songs
Wyatt had 9 different co-writers also with 11 co-written tunes.
... and someone named Arthur Rossi had 40 co-writes with an umpteen number of composers.

Don't let the co-write thing stop you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO4DPI1hegc

btw Im sure FAWM has "critiquers"

Now when somebody gives a critique, do you thin they are basing it on subjective or objective criteria?

If somebody says "I like this" that is subjective and not a critique. or I like the verse more than the chorus...

"If they say your meter is off, or your vocal is out of key" and then 10 other people say yes the vocal is out of key, then it starts becoming objective.

Yet, the song could go on to be a big hit, cause of the subjectivity

Bugsey, the general idea is that lyrics/songs aren't posted for critique. After all, they're usually a rough sketch of an idea that will be fleshed out later.

So unless someone asks specifically for suggestions - and there's always someone who does - it's not the 'done thing' to critique.

In any case, there simply isn't time. Hundreds of songs/lyrics are posted during February, and it's almost impossible to keep track of them, let alone write one's own material.

On the whole, there's very little critiquing done. In the spirit of camaraderie and general fun, the object of the exercise is to be wholly supportive of each other, and focus on what the person has done well.

Sometimes it's simply about having gotten something down on paper, so to speak. Everyone knows that most fine tuning will be done later, either after FAWM or if the author finds time during the month.

As you know, I write lyrics, and have done a lot of reviewing here and elsewhere. However, I'd never critique a FAWMer's lyric unless she/he asked for suggestions. If I come across a lyric that has a number of language errors (e.g. written by a non-native speaker of English), and it's about to be used for a collaboration, I might simply send a PM to indicate corrections. To date, it's only happened three or four times.

Donna

Ok but for the sake of argument, when you do a critique, what are you basing it on? What you like? Or on it;s merit as a song.

Like, could you critique a song you couldnt stand, and just base it on the priniciples of songwriting.

And would you be able to tell a great lyric from a average lyric immediately?

hence, subjective vs obective reviews.

If somebody who writes heavy metal songs, and is critiqued by a seasoned country songwriter, while the country songwriter might not listen to any heavy metal and not have a like or dislike for it, he could still give a professional review on the song no?

Thanks for participating in our survery today, you shall receive a years supply of boxed soap, and a 3 dollar coupon, which I hope u pick a winner with!

I shall see about Fawm, If Im feeling good after the superbowl, maybe Ill give it a go.

This is not the thread for a "sake of argument" diversion, it is about participating in FAWM. Thanks in advance for not going too far off-topic.

Haven't tried FAWM, but I do consider it this year. Maybe just as a guitar slinger.

How does it work? How do you hook up with collaborators, once you've signed up?

Can anybody give a short rundown?

The site will be closing for 2 weeks on the 10th, but you can check it out beforehand.

http://www.fawm.org

There's already activity on the forums, with some of the posts touching on what you've asked.

What happens is that someone might come along, see what you've posted, and ask if you'd like to collaborate. By the same token, if you see something interesting you'd like to collab on, just ask the person.

As I mentioned in a previous post, generally people aren't aiming for polished products during the challenge itself (there simply isn't time), but they'll work on a piece later, and with their collaborator if he or she is willing to spend more time on it.

Meanwhile, here's a link to FAWM FAQ.
http://fawm.org/help/

Hope to see you there.

Donna

Kolstad: Here is the official FAWM FAQ, probably says what it is all about better than I can (Donna's was quicker to respond I see!). There will tons of opportunities to compose music for lyric-only type folks, add guitar licks for others or doing full blown co-writes.

Give it a try, you can write as much as you want. If you only get five new songs, that is five more that had on February 1st!

Hi Donna, Kevin, et al:

I hope you did not mistake my earlier post as negative regarding FAWM. Au contraire... I have a great regard for this event and wish all of you the very best. My problem relates to me alone. Here's hoping that each of you are able to participate and create at least a hit or two... maybe more.

Keep us posted if and when it is convenient. Time is not my ally at this stage of life.

Regards,

Dave

Dave,

I did not take your comment as negative at all. You are always very supportive of us all here. I am sure I will post a few FAWM tunes over in the MP3 section. You can throw some tamaters over there!

Dave, I have no doubt that the lyric and song forums will be inundated with FAWM offerings in February. You'll certainly have your fill.

Donna

I CAN'T WAIT!! I MISS MY FRIENDS!! I can feel the excitement in the air...!! Donna, it is the most wonderful gift you gave me when you gave me a push to try it..

Ok, I enrolled with FAWM. My user name is "North". Don't know how it works, so I will be lurking and try to figure out how to write, collaborate and contribute the best I can..

See you there.

I'm pleased you've joined, Kolstad. As you've seen, things on the FAWM forum are already getting busy.

Tams, so glad you'll be among us again as well. I was pretty certain it would be your cup of tea.

Donna

Thanks for the nice welcoming, Donna (& Kevin). It feels good to be at FAWM already. There's a nice creative vibe to it for sure. I love the Muse's tools as well. Somethings gonna come out!

You've discovered those Muse tools already? They're a blast.

And yes, the vibe on the forum is a wonderfully creative, supportive one.

Donna

Who else of you JPFers are going to join us?

Only 5 more days until the Madness begins!
The FAWM site is scheduled to open soon.

Donna

Ha -- when I read he was reworking the whole site, I said "Oh No!, he'll never get it ready in time." He should have just ran with last year's version. It wasn't perfect, but neither are my tunes!

Any new (and older) users will have to have some patience in the beginning (and no one has patience in the beginning, we want to go, go, go!).

I agree, Kevin. That was my thought exactly: He'd never finish the update on time, and in fact I think/thought the old site worked just fine in terms of its purpose.

Kind of a case of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

Well, let's see what emerges. There's no doubt that Burr puts his heart and soul into the site.

Donna

I just got my FAWM t-shirt! "It Goes To 14". I got one of the older ones (XXL -- big!!), so it was only $15. I've always just donated $10 to get the rock hands (and a couple of times $25 to get hosting), but I should have been buying merchandise all along. Oh well, live and learn.

I bought the travel drink mug a couple of years ago. Use it all the time. I should get more merchandise as well. Maybe I'll indulge in a T-shirt - a large size so I can use it as a pyjama top.

I bought hosting for last year's FAWM and used if a lot. I also bought it for 50-90 last summer but didn't use it at all (I only wrote 8 lyrics). Still the $25 certainly goes for a good cause.

Donna

Hiya, I think the new webdesign on the FAWM site looks cool. Looking forward to try it out when it opens.

So, any ideas what you are going to write about, yet?
Any subjects or themes close to your heart?

I've been attracted to various themes as:
- the lone rider
- heroes
- imagining being part of something (that you're not)
- the small things that dies (like faith, beliefs, trust ect)
- making it
- being unpopular due to trying to be honest

well, just a few.. trying to figure out how to rank them in terms of engagement

Or do your have a hook list in advance? (I know, we keep them in the little notebooks) Just to have something on a bad day :-)

I have several hooks/ideas jotted down (not more than a couple of words or a line).
I always feel it gives me a bit of back-up to launch from in case writer's block suddenly sets in the minute FAWM starts.

I probably won't even end up using them, though, because the FAWM energy is so infectious from the get-go that it inspires me right away, and pulls me in all kinds of other directions.

And there are always fun and interesting theme challenges and 'skirmishes' to to get the creative juices flowing.

Donna

The FAWM site is up!!

YAY!

Out of curiosity I took a peek. Quite a few members. It says all lyrics and songs belong to fawmers. Does it mean the site Fawmers or the fawmers that wrote it?

It's like anywhere else, Everett. You have, as the writer, the sole copyright to your songs. The FAWM site is just a vehicle, and doesn't make claims to anything.

I've just discovered FAWM, and I must say that I'm very, very impressed. What a place to be creative and hook up with fellow musicians and songwriters!

Everett: You are the "fawmer", so you retain your own copyrights. But you can always go through the FAQ here. You ought to give it a whirl. They are quite a few christian/gospel writers hanging around.

... here is an nice 2 minute video by Ira Glass about creativity that points out that quality is only arrived at via quantity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbC4gqZGPSY

I watched it about 15 minutes ago, and thought to myself 'What a great reminder!'. He helps keep things 'real'.

Donna

Yeah it's one of those - it takes at least 10.000hrs to really become good at something - things. A truism.

I've been doing things for 20+ years that I still feel I don't master, though. And I'm not sure I ever will.

Life has to be lived, not practiced. Like people don't do demos anymore. Everything is a record (or mp3 file)..

I write about 50 plus songs a year. I don't know if I could or want to write 14 in 28 days. If I did I know I would not like what I wrote, maybe one or two I'd like. I have written as high as five or six songs in one day (years ago when ideas were easier to come by) but now I'm happy to write one a week.

Well you're right, Everett, you need to be committed to get 14/28. But even though you don't have it up front, it may arrive by diving into it. That's what I'm hoping, and before FAWM even have started it already have triggered the productive gene in me.

Quite a few doesn't meet the 14/28 challenge, though, as far as I can see. It's more like a carrot they put up, to make you work. You know, positive expectations can make people more motivated and work harder, just like negative expectations can do the opposite.

So, re-inventing yourself is part of the FAWM challenge, it seems to me. But it will still require some commitment to "do the work" (Steven Pressfield reference: see http://www.stevenpressfield.com/do-the-work/ ).

Also important to remember, Everett, is that the idea is to get down basic rough drafts.

The fine-tuning is done afterwards. Not one of the lyrics I write during FAWM is ever 'finished' at the time I post it. Not by a long shot. Some are as much as 75% re-written later, but at least I get down a few bare bones of an idea that can be fleshed out afterwards.

Donna