Reading time: About 5 minutes

I've spoken to dozens of independent musicians about songwriting, but I've only personally written a handful of songs. Like with so many things I write about, I'm learning with you. More importantly, I'm sharing what I learn from others.

You may not consider yourself a songwriter, but maybe you should. Writing music or lyrics can be very fulfilling and helpful to your creativity and critical thinking. Getting started can be as simple as improvising riffs on your instrument and recording them on your phone. Getting started can also be as simple as writing or journaling about what's on your mind. Try either of these without editing until after the initial idea is complete. By complete, I don't mean you've written an entire song, although that may happen. Just riff or write until your idea has been recorded or written down, then edit or save it for later. You might write something good, but chances are, you'll write or compose ten to twenty mediocre ideas for every one good idea. Don't worry, it's quite normal.

Recommendations

Here's a list of recommendations that might help you, even if you have experience songwriting. Just remember that some of these ideas may work for you, others may not.

Schedule time to write

Make an appointment with yourself. If that appointment is for an hour of writing, you may find yourself sharpening pencils for 55 minutes–this to is normal.

Practice object writing

Pick a random object to write about and write non-stop for 10 minutes. Object writing is a proven technique for exercising your writing muscles. Read more about object writing here.

Recommended reading

Read one of the books from this list. Gaining the perspective of other creatives, songwriter or otherwise, can provide profound inspiration.

Join a songwriting group

Songwriting groups are part creative outlet and part accountability group. Seek one out on social media, or ask some of your songwriter friends if they can point you toward one. Like with most things, you can always start your own. In this episode of the Unstarving Musician, songwriter Tom Meny talks about songwriting groups. Skip to 16:05 to get to the bit about songwriting groups.

Attend a songwriting workshop

I've heard nothing but good things about songwriting workshops from friends and former podcast guests. It's probably fair to say that songwriting workshops are retreats for experienced and aspiring songwriters.

Look for co-writing opportunities

Co-writing is a big thing in Nashville and elsewhere, I'm sure. Collaboration is a great way to write new songs with new perspectives, and co-writing can be the perfect collaboration environment.

A final thought...

I've come to believe that writers block is little more than motivation block. Non-creative periods of our life happen for many reasons. Getting out of such times requires just one action–creating something.

Peace, love and more cowbell,
Robonzo

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