Songwriting is not only an art, it's a discipline. In this video, I explore some tips that have helped me. I'm preaching to myself here, since lately, I haven't been making the time for songwriting as I want to.

Ten Songwriting Tips:

1. Borrowed conversation makes great original lyric.

Listen to conversation at work, online, in movies, or on public transit. Dialogue makes great fodder for lyric lines. Transcribe a few words from someone else and place in a new context. This encourages your brain to explore a lyrical tangent. It's as if someone started drawing a doodle sketch on a page, then passed the paper to you. Seeing a few simple lines, you connect the dots and make a picture of a ... you fill in the blank.

2. You Tube browsing can be productive.

I love watching live video footage of famous or up-and-coming artists. I prefer the acoustic sets where the singer-songwriter side really shines. Compare various performances of the same song, and you may find various shades of meaning or gather ideas for clever arrangement variety in your own songs.

3. Show new songs to friends.

Friends want to know the whole you, even if you are a closet songwriter. They'll be pleased to hear or see the lyric of your newest creation. If you're in the middle of an idea, just talk about it - it's amazing how their reaction can direct your mind to see the concept or lyric from the listeners’ perspective. Pull out your instrument and play it through once. Expect the pleasant ‘Oh, that’s great.” If you’re looking for detailed feedback on the spot from a songwriter or musician friend, be ready with some specific questions.

4. Creative exploration is more important than reputation.

If people are familiar with your style and previously recorded songs, you may be afraid of making drastic differences. Shock your fans! Do you have a few songs that just don't ‘fit the mould?' Chances are, you have an unexplored creative streak. Be bold and take on new genres and new lyric styles. Used to writing with predictable rhymes? Well, start writing lines of lyric that don't match in length, or that have no rhyme whatsoever. Think of the most 'out there' artists you can think of and pretend you were writing the next single for their new album. It's fun!

5. Watch the clock.

When is your most productive time of the day? First thing in the morning, at night, on the weekend? On Sunday afternoon when not much is going on? I write most creatively after 1 am. My mind and body are so tired that all ‘filters’ are off, and my lyric and melodic writing tends to be more creative. When you find that ‘sweet spot’ of productive time – add it to your calendar. Try to make an appointment that you don’t compromise. If you stay up extra late, though, just record yourself so you don’t forget in the morning!

6. Rhyming techniques bring creativity through rigidity.

I like rhyme. Not the typical “love-above” “heart – apart,” but the half rhymes and the repetition of syllables. Open vowels with a certain blend of consonant sounds for example. Lots of ‘ing’ endings within a verse. Sometimes, imposing rigid rules on rhyming but lax rules on content can evoke a new style! Get those creative lyric juices flowing.

7. Don't be lazy.

If you’re too tired for class or work, do you skip? Okay, well bad example! – but my point is: song writing is a gift. Not all of us have it – but if you have an interest in song writing, chances are, you have the gift despite how rough or unpolished it may seem. Just like in a new course at school or at a new job, be diligent with this gift of a hobby. You’ll be so happy when you open your file and find 40 song ideas – from the last 40 days. Give yourself a ‘trial period’ for writing a snippet of a song every day. Commit yourself to regularly going over old songs and revamping them by adding a different chorus or a new verse. Make daily writing a habit. You can do it!

8. Measure productivity in frequency of writing not completed songs.

Speaking of song snippets, save every idea, and remember that that idea may be the idea that rocks your world, or turns into a song that is featured on your next album, or becomes your favourite song of all time. Seeing the potential value in little song ideas means that nothing is a waste. Even four lines on a page are better than no lines. Thirty seconds of humming in your cell phone recorder is better than nothing! Productivity is measured in how often you are working at your gift.

9. Listen to a new music genre for days straight.

Not really into mellow guitar-strumming twenty-something female singers? Not really into four part harmony gospel quartets? Not really into screaming bands whose lyrics seem to be intelligible? Not enticed by rap? Didn’t grow up with the blues? Well, every music genre has something to offer you: you can learn something you didn’t previously know. Pick a genre and listen to it constantly for a week or a month. I guarantee that you will eventually become used to it, and may find songs that really do inspire you. Get out of your box and open up your mind! This is where borrowing your friends’ albums comes in handy.

10. Be satisfied if you don’t finish.

Like me, now.

Jason Blume's book, "Six Steps to Songwriting Success" has been the most influential songwriting book in my life, and I've appreciated Jason's workshop content as well.