Wide shot of orange rainbow in the distance with white clouds over the Rappahannock River in Virginia with white dock pillars in the foreground. The song title, Down to Your Love, is written in white letters with the lyrics by Kate Goggin and the music by Dave Macklin.

Every Creative Writing Effort has its Own Timeline

by

Let it unfold, and enjoy the magic.

That’s my advice after my first songwriting project. I can’t sing, write, or read sheet music, yet I took a songwriting class anyhow. I believe creativity can take any form, and I am excited to learn them all. Read what happens when good intentions meet an undeniable story!

Many years passed after taking that class, but the concepts kept rolling through my mind. Then one day I visited my niece, Patricia, and her husband, Chris. We had a picnic at the property where they were married, a gorgeous spot overlooking the Rappahannock River in Virginia. 

We were celebrating. They worked hard for decades. Both held two and three jobs. Finally they had managed to purchase the land, and planned to build their dream house. A fairy tale come true.

From left to right Kate Goggin in red jacket, Brian Goggin in black hat, Patricia Atkinson smiling with dark hair and Chris Atkinson in black hat.
Photo from our picnic. From left to right Kate Goggin, Brian Goggin, Patricia Atkinson, Chris Atkinson.

Finding Inspiration in a Love Story

That day I said to Chris, “One thing I remember from your wedding. You never took your eyes off of her…the whole day.” He looked me in the eye and said with a smile, “That’s the way it’s always been.” Bingo. I found my inspiration, and I wrote the lyrics to a love song from his point of view. I captured the different stages of their story in separate stanzas. It’s what John Prine would call “a story song” as opposed to ballads, lyrical, or poetic songs.

Then the waiting began. I spent several more years searching for a musician who would help me set it to music. Without a musical background, I was routinely ignored by experienced musicians.

Bringing the Song to Life

Then I finally found Dave Macklin, a talented singer and guitar player, who ironically, can’t write or read sheet music either. He loved the lyrics, and we both agreed it should be a bluesy tune. He brought my song to life with his intuitive genius, and I am forever grateful.

Musician Dave Macklin with blond hair holds a guitar and sings in Leesburg, VA.
The talented singer and guitarist Dave Macklin, in Leesburg, VA.

In June 2025, I experienced a full circle moment. I presented the inspiring couple with the song in honor of their wedding anniversary. There were lots of happy tears.

This experience reminded me that creativity has no rules—it finds us in surprising ways and on its own timeline. One spark, one memory, one conversation can become something lasting and beautiful. I may not read music, but I can listen, imagine, and create. And that’s more than enough. The magic is in the journey.

You can listen to the song titled “Down to Your Love” here. It’s mixed with photos for a meaningful music video that sums up the whole story. Curious about the songwriting class? Check out Andrea Stolpe retreats and workshops. [I receive no compensation for my referrals.]

A young woman and her husband watch and listen to a music video on a laptop on a white table.
The inspiring couple, Patricia and Chris Atkinson, watch and listen to the song, “Down to the Your Love,” presented to them during an anniversary celebration.