I can list several reasons why the S.A.C. has been so important in my personal journey as a songwriter, but would like to say that the fellow writers I have met and the connections I have made have had the greatest impact.
Several months ago, through a network of songwriters on Facebook, I came across a song that was posted called “Half A World Away”. I immediately connected to the song and was eager to see who had written it. John Pippus and Lucy LeBlanc of Vancouver were the creators, and they had developed something really magical. I re-posted the song and complimented the writers on how much I liked it.
Early this past June I had the opportunity to go to Vancouver for a couple of days and wanted to see if I could do a co-write while I was there. I emailed the SAC Regional Writers Group in Vancouver and was quickly connected to Lucy LeBlanc, who was so warm and kind. She suggested a three-way co-write with her writing partner, John Pippus, and I was delighted.
We figured out a central meeting spot that was convenient for everyone. I was staying at UBC, and Lucy was coming from White Rock. Lucy and I met at the station closest to John’s place and we headed over there together.
I spent a little time observing their co-writing style and identifying the best way for me to fit in. I quickly learned that Lucy was a wonderful lyricist and John was a great melody man. We bounced some ideas around, and I loved some of the riffs John was playing. I was slowly developing a chorus in my head. It was a little country, and I thought it might be something we could work with. Lucy immediately began to piece together a story, and John nailed down the verse melody with a catchy guitar riff that I immediately fell in love with. Within a matter of hours the song was coming together.
Lucy LeBlanc adds, “Dayna came prepared. She had a chorus for a country song that seemed to crackle with energy. So, we started working with it, throwing out ideas and crafting the verses. It’s a good feeling when it all comes together, and you end up with a song that resonates among each of us.”
It was my first time writing away from home–with the exception of Nashville…and it made me feel so grounded to be writing while I was in a place that was completely new to me.
After our first session we were tremendously excited about how the song was developing and made arrangements to meet the next day to finish it. With the exception of getting stuck on a musical bridge, we did almost finish it, and sorted out the bridge and fine-tuned the details over skype once I got home.
Lucy was able to do some sightseeing with me, and graciously helped me find my way back to where I was staying. As I sat on the bus and replayed our song through my iphone voice notes, I felt even more confident about what the three of us had created.
I was happy to have connected with Lucy and John in Vancouver, and would certainly access the S.A.C. to set up co-writing opportunities when travelling to other cities. The song we wrote is called “ I Still Want You”. We are hoping to have it demoed in Nashville and hope to have it pitched to an artist.
Visit the Songwriters’ Profiles for this trio:
Songwriters Association of Canada 
Hi Dayna, I found your process very inspiring and your experience uplifting! I haven’t written a song in quite a while, but still writing having it manifest as a children’s book.
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Hi Rosslyn, I just saw this comment now, thanks so much for posting it and good luck with your new book:)
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