Based on the Podcast Episode: “Doubling Your Toolkit with Co-Writing” – Episode 54, The Magic of Songwriting with Francesca de Valence

We continue our journey into the woods for our Songwriting Retreat 2024 and take you behind the scenes to give you a glimpse of co-writing in real-time. Thank you to our songwriters Kate Battersby and Halimah Perez-Torres (Finlonsen) for sharing a brand new created work on this podcast. The conversation was a reminder of the magic that happens when songwriters come together, share their stories, and allow the creative process to unfold in unexpected ways.

Listen to the podcast audio to experience a new creation by Kate and Halimah, or read on to learn more about what we did on Day 3.

Day Three:

Nature Walk

We were gently guided into the forest by Co-founder of Wild Mountains and Environmental Educator, Richard Zoomers. Step by step we learnt about the lifecycle of the trees and how bushfires have shaped the land. We walked until we came upon an enormous fig tree and stopped to take in her greatness before turning back, finishing our walk with a magic spot meditation in the same spot as the day before. On the surface, the spot looked the same, but when you sat with it, you could see how 24 hours had changed the spot.

The Secret Jar

Over the past two days, Francesca had asked us to share a secret on a piece of paper left in a jar. One that could be shared anonymously. We could write it in our own time throughout the retreat.

After showers and a hearty breakfast, we understood what this invitation was for. For a songwriting theme. To write a song from someone else’s perspective. Our co-writing teams were decided and we got to choose a secret from the secret jar – that would be what we would write about.

Song Sharing

After our 3 hour writing session, we joined as a group in Bruce’s shed for a song-sharing session. The freedom and responsibility to write a story that wasn’t your own was an fascinating experience for the co-writers. By that time in the retreat, we were so connected as a group, that we owned up to the secrets and shared even more deeply as a group.

A Free Afternoon

We had options for the afternoon. To rest, to be out in nature doing some activities, or anything else. The group chose to write another song. And so they took to the trees and sunset for a final songwriting session. After dinner, we shared the songs in Bruce’s shed. Followed by marshmallows around the fireplace for our final night together.

We understood and felt that the collaborative writing process opens you up to a bigger and more expansive toolkit. And that when you share openly with your collaborators, when you share what you create, when you open your hearts up to others, this leads to life-long friendships.

Will you join us?

Join us for our next Songwriting Retreat from July 19-22, 2025. We look forward to supporting you to grow as a songwriter.

Retreat Images by Jelightly