How to improve your songwriting skills in 30 days or less

Become a better writer this February by participating in the 2022 installment of #MWE, otherwise known as the Music Writer Exercise.

A guest post by James Shotwell of Haulix.

Have you ever thought of writing about music?

Did you watch Almost Famous and feel like you might like to pursue a career in music journalism?

Do you ever wish you were a better writer?

If the answer to any of the questions above is yes, then we have the perfect exercise for you. The Music Writing Exercise is a month-long event created by journalist Gary Suarez in 2015. Participants attempt to listen to one new album every day throughout February and craft a tweet that summarizes their thoughts on the record.

#MusicWriterExercise: Each day in February, listen to one full album you’ve never heard, from start to finish. Write one tweet about it.— I’m Gary (@noyokono) January 30, 2015

The Haulix team participates in the Music Writing Exercise every year. It’s hard to know how many other writers will join in the fun, but you can follow along and engage with the global writing community by using the hashtag #MWE on Twitter.

As for the albums you cover, that decision is ultimately up to you. Some people plan out their entire month of listening in advance, while others choose to pick a record at random each morning. Others develop one or more themes for the month, such as live records or third albums. Gary himself has a suggestion:

You won’t win anything for completing #MWE, but like any other exercise, you will develop your skill set. As writers, we all fall prey to repetitive phrasing and tired wordplay. The Music Writing Exercise challenges us to create bright new ways to discuss music. It also encourages community. There is no cost to participate, so what do you have to lose?

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James Shotwell is the Director of Customer Engagement at Haulix and host of the company’s podcast, Inside Music. He is also a public speaker known for promoting careers in the entertainment industry, as well as an entertainment journalist with over a decade of experience. His bylines include Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Substream Magazine, Nu Sound, and Under The Gun Review, among other popular outlets.