| Quite frankly, I'm tired of reading articles where | | | | doctor or engineer, get used to studying other |
| writing a song and lyrics is broken down into easy | | | | writers work. Not just other lyricists but also |
| formulaic steps. "How to write a hit song" blah | | | | poets, novelists, play-writes, columnists and so on |
| blah blah. I like to hear songs that have a unique | | | | and so forth. Learn to appreciate the art of |
| voice, not in that they necessarily that say | | | | writing. Read widely and broadly, take in new |
| anything new, but in that their approach and | | | | ideas and give yourself more perspective on your |
| perspective is so particular to the writer that one | | | | own skills. Also keep a dictionary, thesaurus and |
| is unimaginable without the other. | | | | rhyming dictionary on hand |
| As a songwriter and producer, I aim, and | | | | Step 3 - Explore topics, characters and feelings |
| encourage artists I work with, to search for that | | | | Part of the unique voice is hearing that the writer |
| voice. This list is not a summary of how to write | | | | really means every word, whether they're writing |
| the words for your next possible number one hit | | | | from they're own experience or not. Of course |
| (though maybe you will), but techniques I use to | | | | cathartic writing is fantastic but don't be afraid to |
| explore and expand my capability as a writer in | | | | write about something you haven't personally |
| search for what is uniquely my own | | | | experienced. Use you're experiences to |
| Step 1 - Write write write | | | | sympathise with stories and characters and then |
| Unsurprisingly it's hard to write something which | | | | write. There should always be a piece of yourself |
| sounds 'unique'... so don't try. Instead, buy yourself | | | | in anything you write |
| a thick notebook and get used to JUST WRITING. | | | | Step 4 - Rewriting |
| It's easy to sit staring at a page and shoot down | | | | Don't be afraid of rewriting. Write, walk away |
| every thought you have as 'not genius'. Just put | | | | from it for a few days, then go over it again. |
| the pen on the paper and write without thinking. | | | | Self-criticism is important in perspective. Go over |
| Whatever's in your head, whether its great, | | | | what you've done and if you're not totally happy |
| ridiculous, you're darkest secret or someone else's | | | | then write it again. And of course, if you have |
| darkest secret. Get up every morning and write | | | | people you trust or respect ask them for their |
| at least 5 pages until it comes easily. Then write | | | | opinion as well. Learn from any source you can, |
| 10 pages. Making writing and putting all your | | | | take on board what resonates with you, keep on |
| thoughts on paper as second nature as having | | | | writing. |
| those thoughts | | | | I'm still searching for my unique voice, its a tough |
| Step 2 - Read read read | | | | thing to search for. |
| In the same way that you need to study to be a | | | | |