Write More Songs

Author: Celine

  • Breaking the Pattern: How Your Songwriting Habits Shape Your Music

    Breaking the Pattern: How Your Songwriting Habits Shape Your Music

    Are your songwriting sessions starting to feel like reruns? Do your songs all have a familiar ring to them? You might be caught in a loop of songwriting habits that are quietly shaping every note and lyric you create.

    The Hidden Forces Behind Your Songwriting Process

    We all have habits—the automatic behaviours that guide our daily lives without conscious thought. In songwriting, these habits can be your greatest strength or your biggest creative roadblock.

    The Nostalgia Effect: Your Musical DNA

    Research shows that the music we connect with between ages 12-22 creates what psychologists call the “Reminiscence Bump.” These formative influences become deeply wired into our musical identity and often unconsciously shape our songwriting approach decades later.

    Think about it: Can you hear echoes of your teenage playlist in your current compositions? There’s a reason for that! Our early musical loves aren’t just memories—they become templates for how we instinctively express emotions through music.

    The Skill Ceiling: Working Within Your Limitations

    The second major factor influencing your songwriting habits is simpler but equally powerful: your current skill set. These limitations include:

    • Your instrumental proficiency
    • Command of language and lyrical vocabulary
    • Understanding of music theory and chord relationships
    • Melodic instincts and rhythmic tendencies

    Unlike your nostalgia-based habits, these skill-based habits can—and should—evolve throughout your songwriting journey.

    Are Your Habits Working For or Against You?

    When Habits Hold You Back:

    • The Same-Song Syndrome: When unconscious habits dominate your process, your songs all start sounding like variations of the same
    • The Time Capsule Effect: Relying exclusively on dated influences can make your music feel out of touch with contemporary listeners
    • The False “Signature Style”: Mistaking limitations for a personal style can prevent growth and experimentation
    • The Confidence Killer: Repeating habits that produce disappointing results can feed your inner critic and damage creative confidence

    When Habits Help You Soar:

    • The Experimental Edge: Regularly introducing new elements keeps your songwriting fresh and exciting
    • The Contemporary Connection: Staying curious about new music broadens your palette of songwriting choices
    • The Authentic Voice: Developing more skills and habits actually reveals your true style through increased choices
    • The Flow State: Good habits help you silence your inner critic during creation and know when to shift into editing mode

    Evolving Your Songwriting Habits

    Here’s the good news: you don’t need to abandon your existing habits. Instead, focus on expanding your repertoire by adding new techniques to your toolkit.

    How to Build Better Songwriting Habits:

    1. Active Listening: Analyse contemporary songs, noting structural choices, production techniques, and lyrical approaches. Even if you don’t like the songs, a lot of people do, so try and find one thing that you could adapt into your own songwriting.
    2. Skill Development: Treat songwriting how athletes treat their training—break it down into components and use focussed practice of things like chord progressions, melody writing, and lyrical techniques
    3. Community Connection: Join songwriting communities where feedback and accountability help cement new habits. I co-host an amazing community of world-wide songwriters called ‘We Write Songs’ – click HERE to find out more
    4. Structured Exercises: Use writing prompts, technical practice, and analysis drills to build new neural pathways. Short, sharp and highly rewarding exercises are a sure fire way to build new habits that generate RESULTS!

    When Old Habits Fight Back

    Don’t be surprised if your established patterns resist change. When faced with the discomfort of trying something new, remind yourself that you’re not replacing your trusted methods—you’re simply adding new options to your creative arsenal.

    Take the pressure off by viewing each new technique as an experiment rather than a permanent change. The worst outcome? You discover something that doesn’t work for you. The best? You find a fresh approach that reinvigorates your entire songwriting process.

    Your Songwriting Evolution Starts Now

    Whether you’re feeling stuck in a creative rut or simply looking to expand your songwriting horizons, becoming aware of your habits is the first step toward growth. By consciously developing new techniques while honoring your unique influences, you’ll write songs that feel both authentically yours and creatively fresh.

    What songwriting habit will you experiment with this week? Share your experience in the comments below!

    Happy writing

    Celine x

  • 5 Proven Methods to Start Your Next Song (When You’re Staring at a Blank Page)

    5 Proven Methods to Start Your Next Song (When You’re Staring at a Blank Page)

    Every songwriter knows the feeling. You sit down, ready to create your next masterpiece, and… nothing. The blank page stares back at you, your creative confidence drains away, and that familiar paralysis sets in. After 30 years of songwriting, I can tell you this feeling never completely goes away – but I’ve developed reliable methods to push through it.

    In this post, I’ll share five proven techniques to transform your songwriting process from frustration to flow. These aren’t just theoretical concepts – they’re practical approaches I’ve used throughout my career to keep creativity flowing and avoid getting stuck in the same patterns.

    1. Start With Your Title (The Powerful Anchor)
    Your title isn’t just what you call your song – it’s the anchor for your entire message. Starting with a strong title immediately focuses your creative energy and narrows down the decisions you’ll need to make.

    Here’s my process when starting with a title:

    1. Write down your title at the top of the page
    2. Draft 2-3 different “song synopses” – one or two sentences describing what the song could be about (Pro-Tip – try and avoid using the word ‘And’ in the synopsis to focus the core message)
    3. Important tip: Skip your first idea! The initial concept is often the most obvious and has likely been written before. Your second or third idea usually leads to a more interesting perspective.

    Real-world example: When writing with the title “Ghost Town,” my first synopsis was about a relationship ending and feeling abandoned. Pretty standard. But my third idea explored how social media creates the illusion of connection while leaving us feeling isolated in a virtual “ghost town.” This fresher angle produced a much more compelling song.

    “A great title is like a compass – it keeps you oriented toward your destination while giving you freedom to explore the journey.”

    2. Use Writing Prompts (Your Creative Catalyst)
    Writing prompts are the spark plugs of the songwriting process and if you have never used one to create a song then you are really missing out. They can be single words, phrases, images, or even melodic ideas that jumpstart your creativity.

    I categorise prompts into two types:

    Specific Prompts
    Words like “Robbery,” “Bonfire,” or “Midnight” that provide a concrete starting point. These are excellent when you want to focus on practicing a specific technique rather than searching for an idea.

    Open-Ended Prompts
    Broader concepts like “Use the opening line of a book to inspire a song.” These require more exploration or research, but often lead to unexpected creative territory.

    With either type, I recommend:

    • Generating 3+ different song ideas from the same prompt
    • Looking for unusual angles or perspectives
    • Documenting prompt ideas in your songwriting journal for future sessions

    Try it yourself: Take the word “Window” and quickly write down three completely different song concepts it inspires. Which one feels least like songs you’ve heard before?

    3. Begin With a Chord Progression (The Structural Foundation)

    Many songwriters get stuck in a rut because they default to the same chord progressions. Breaking this pattern can instantly refresh your writing. Don’t worry if theory isn’t your strong suit – there are accessible approaches for everyone:

    “Borrowing” Progressions
    When I hear an interesting progression in another song, I note it for future use. This isn’t plagiarism – chord progressions can’t be copyrighted, and there are only so many pleasing combinations. Even Taylor Swift has written 21 songs using the same progression!

    Using Technology
    For writers without instrumental skills, apps like Songwriters Piano by Rob Wells are game-changers. This tool gives you all the chords in any key (both major and relevant minor) with simple playback options. I use it constantly when my guitar isn’t handy.

    Classic Progressions with New Twists
    Try taking a standard progression and altering one chord, changing the tempo, or shifting the emphasis. Small changes to familiar structures often yield surprising results.

    Popular progressions to experiment with:

    • I-V-vi-IV (C-G-Am-F): Used in countless hits from “Let It Be” to “Don’t Stop Believin’”
    • vi-IV-I-V (Am-F-C-G): The backbone of “Zombie” by The Cranberries and many others
    • I-vi-IV-V (C-Am-F-G): The classic 1950s progression still appearing in contemporary hits

    If you are unfamiliar with the Roman numeral representation of chords like above, there is future YouTube video and blog post in the works all about chord progressions and how to write them. I have added the relative chords in the key of C Major for each progressions as well for ease.

    4. Begin With an Emotion (The Authentic Core)

    Some of the most powerful songs emerge from raw emotional states. Starting with a feeling creates an authenticity that listeners immediately recognise.

    I recently co-wrote with a songwriter who arrived flustered after a terrible morning – traffic jam, minor car accident, and a speeding ticket all before our session. His request? “Can we just write an angry song?”

    The result was incredible. While we didn’t write about traffic incidents, we channeled that emotion into a song about betrayal and lies. The authenticity of the anger gave the lyrics and melody an edge that wouldn’t have emerged otherwise.

    To use this method effectively:

    1. Identify the core emotion you’re feeling (or want to explore)
    2. Brainstorm situations that evoke this emotion
    3. List phrases, images, and metaphors that embody this feeling
    4. Develop these elements into a song concept

    Remember that emotions create natural musical choices too – anger tends toward minor keys and driving rhythms, while contentment might suggest major keys and flowing melodies.

    5. Write What You Know (Your Endless Inspiration Source)

    The most reliable wellspring of songwriting material is your own life. Many writers overlook their personal experiences as too mundane or trivial, but authentic details create the most relatable songs.

    My songwriting journal is my greatest resource for this approach. I regularly review old entries to find moments, conversations, or observations that could form the basis of a song.

    Case in point: A friend recently turned 45 – not typically a milestone birthday. During casual conversation, someone commented that “life spins faster after 45.” This offhand remark sparked an idea connecting aging to vinyl records (45 rpm singles vs. 33 rpm albums). What began as an uneventful birthday chat evolved into a unique song using record-playing as a metaphor for life’s accelerating pace.

    Your everyday experiences contain countless song possibilities:

    • Overheard conversations
    • Family stories
    • Personal milestones (big and small)
    • Childhood memories
    • Daily observations that made you pause

    The key is remaining receptive to these moments and documenting them for later exploration.

    Putting It All Together

    The beauty of these five methods is that they can be used individually or in combination. When I’m truly stuck, I might:

    1. Choose an emotion I want to explore
    2. Select a chord progression that feels aligned with that emotion
    3. Brainstorm potential titles that express the feeling
    4. Begin writing from that foundation

    The goal isn’t finding the “perfect” starting point – it’s finding ANY effective starting point to get you writing.

    Your Turn to Start Writing

    Which of these methods resonates most with your songwriting process? Or perhaps you have another reliable technique for getting started? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Remember, the blank page only has power if you give it power. With these five methods in your songwriter’s toolkit, you’ll never be stuck for long.

    Watch the video version of this post:

    Happy writing!

    Celine

  • Do All Your Songs Sound The Same?

    Do All Your Songs Sound The Same?

    As a songwriter, I’m a firm believer in writing a little bit every day. But when I’m in a groove, finishing several songs in quick succession, I sometimes notice they start sounding too similar. This is especially true when I focus on writing within a specific genre.

    While it’s important to develop your brand as an artist, writing songs that sound alike can be limiting. It’s not a bad thing if it aligns with a project’s direction, but stepping outside your comfort zone can bring fresh ideas. If you find your songs sounding repetitive, it might be time to push yourself creatively. Here are some tips to shake things up and bring more variety to your songwriting:

    Change Up Your Melodies

    Listen to a few of your recent songs. Are your melodies similar in structure—ascending, descending, or stagnant? Do you tend to rely on straight or syncopated rhythms? Challenge yourself by trying the opposite of your usual style. Experiment with different melodic movements or rhythms to create a fresh feel. I like to call this ‘auditioning new melodies’ take the progressions and lyrics you have and try and find a new melody.

    Try A New Song Structure

    It’s really easy to follow the same or similar song structures when writing without even noticing or putting it down to genre or your style. But I find that experimenting with AABA song structure, or using a one word chorus can really make me work harder in other areas of the song.

    Switch Up Your Time Signature or Tempo

    If you tend to stick with one tempo or time signature, try experimenting with something new. Write a song slower or faster than usual, or explore an unusual time signature. Using a metronome Or Click track in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can help you maintain the new tempo and keep you on track. You can also alter the rhythm of your accompaniment by adding syncopation or changing the time signature. Experiment until it feels natural.

    Change Your Key or Adjust Your Capo

    Sticking to familiar keys might feel safe, but changing your key can offer a new emotional effect. Try shifting to a higher or lower key to see how it affects the mood of your song. You can also experiment with capo placement to explore different tonalities on your guitar. This is one of my favourite tips as it’s really easy to do, and lets you play open chords with fresh sound.

    Borrow Chord Progressions From An Existing Song

    Even simple pop songs don’t stay within the same set of chords. You can vary your chord progression choices by borrowing from existing songs. Don’t worry, chord progressions can’t be copyrighted – they are like the colours that painters use; fundamental to the process but inherently everyone can use as many or as few as they want to.

    Final Thoughts:

    Conscious songwriting can feel more like work than the free-flowing creativity we often crave. If you find it’s becoming a bit mechanical, separate the process into two phases. Write the structural parts of your song first, then revisit the emotional aspects in a later session. This way, you can experiment with new sounds without losing the emotional heart of your song. Experimenting should be a staple in your songwriting process to avoid these sticking points.

    By pushing yourself outside of your usual patterns, you can bring fresh creativity to your music and continue growing as a songwriter.

  • Create Without Critique – Silence Your Inner Critic

    Create Without Critique – Silence Your Inner Critic

    Songwriting is a deeply personal and creative journey, but for many of us, it’s also fraught with self-doubt and perfectionism. That pesky inner critic can show up just when inspiration begins to flow, whispering things like, “That line isn’t good enough,” or “This melody isn’t original.” The result? Creative paralysis.

    If you want to be prolific as a songwriter, you need to let go of your inner critic during the initial creative process. The time for critique and refinement will come later, but for now, it’s all about letting your creativity run free. During the initial phase of songwriting, you need to allow yourself to be creative without the ugly head of perfectionism rearing up.

    Why Silencing Your Inner Critic Is Essential

    One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my own creative journey is that to write great songs, you first need to write freely—without judgment. This is especially true if you’re working on a songwriting challenge or trying to create a larger body of work within in a set time frame.

    Think of creativity like a water tap. When you first turn it on, the water may come out dirty. That’s okay! The more it runs, the cleaner it gets. The same applies to songwriting: the more you write, the more your ideas and skills will flow freely. If you allow your inner critic to intervene too early i the process, you’ll cut yourself off from this natural progression and stifle creativity all together.  There is plenty of time to perfect a song, to polish and refine it, later in the process. In fact, the rewriting, refining process is one that needs to be done separately in my opinion. That way you can look at your song with a critical eye and ear, and make those improvements with clarity.

    Give Yourself Permission to Write ‘Bad’ Songs

    One of the best ways to quiet that inner voice of perfectionism is to embrace the idea of writing a “bad” song. This doesn’t mean you’re setting out to fail—it simply means removing the pressure to create something perfect. By giving yourself permission to write something cliché, simple, or unpolished, you take the first step toward creating without fear.

    When you approach songwriting this way, something magical often happens: you start to let go, have fun, and rediscover the joy of creating. And even within a “bad” song, you may find a line, melody, or concept worth developing later. I have genuinely released a song that I wrote solely to try out a technique. The exercise of creating without judgment builds your songwriting muscle, preparing you for bigger breakthroughs down the line.

    The Power of Starting Small

    Sometimes the hardest part of songwriting is simply getting started. I have the same problem with my lack of enthusiasm to go to the gym; I hate going, but once I have been, I feel great. That’s why the goal with this approach isn’t to create a Grammy-winning song right out of the gate—it’s to start. Whether it’s a song filled with predictable rhymes or an overused chord progression, the act of finishing it gives you momentum.

    Here’s a quick example:

    • Write a simple 4-line chorus with an easy rhyme scheme.
    • Use a basic chord progression like G–C–D–Em.
    • Don’t overthink your lyrics; focus on completing the structure.

    By completing one song, no matter how basic or “bad” it feels, you’ve already made progress. You’ve overcome the hardest part: beginning.

    The Long-Term Benefits of Letting Go

    When you silence your inner critic and focus on creating without judgment, you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns, refine your voice, and develop stronger ideas. Even the songs you initially dismissed might contain nuggets of brilliance waiting to be polished.

    So, the next time your inner critic pipes up, remind yourself: this is just the first draft. Perfection comes later. For now, allow yourself the freedom to create unapologetically and enjoy the process of discovery.

    Final Thoughts

    The actions of creating and refining are two completely different processes, and more often than not they should be kept very separate. Sometimes the impact of perfectionism stops people creating at all, and that is a hugely sad fact. 

    Every great songwriter has moments of doubt, but the key to growth is learning how to push through those moments. By giving yourself permission to write freely – without the weight of over thinking and analysing – you open the door to your best work. So, take a deep breath, turn off that inner critic, and start writing. Who knows? Your next “bad” song might just hold the seeds of something extraordinary.

  • 5 Essential Songwriting Tips for Beginners

    5 Essential Songwriting Tips for Beginners

    When you’re starting out as a songwriter, it’s common to get overwhelmed by self-doubt, high expectations, and the pressure to create something perfect every time. But the reality is, songwriting is a journey — full of experimentation, creative breakthroughs, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

    If I could offer some advice to my beginner songwriter self, here’s what I’d share…

    Not All Your Songs Will Make It—And That’s OK

    In the beginning, I believed every song I wrote had to be the one—a perfect, ready-to-record masterpiece. But in reality, most songwriters only keep a small percentage of the songs they write. And that’s actually a good thing!

    Each song has its value, even if it never gets finished or released. Some are stepping stones to better ideas, others are opportunities to practice a new technique, and some are simply there to clear the clutter and make room for the great ideas to emerge.

    The secret? Keep writing. The more you create, the more you hone your craft — and the more likely you are to discover something truly amazing.

    It’s OK to Write a Bad Song—In Fact, I Encourage It

    Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity for any songwriter. If you wait for the “perfect” idea before you start, you might never write a thing.

    Give yourself permission to write bad songs. Embrace the messiness. Write something silly, over-the-top, or completely absurd. The goal is to get your words and melodies flowing. You might be surprised—sometimes, a line from a so-called “bad” song can spark something brilliant in your next piece.

    Think of songwriting like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Just like any workout, some days will be harder than others. It’s completely normal, but you have to keep pushing forwards

    You Don’t Need to Play an Instrument—But It Helps

    Can you write amazing songs without playing an instrument? Absolutely. Many successful lyricists and top-liners create hits without ever picking up a guitar or sitting at a piano.

    However, learning just a few basic chords can unlock endless possibilities. Strumming a simple progression or playing a basic melody can help you experiment with song structures, rhythms, and develop your ear for harmony.

    If learning an instrument feels intimidating, start small. Try:

    🎸 A few basic chords on guitar Or ukulele

    🎵 Simple patterns on piano or keyboard

    💻 Experimenting with loops in a digital audio workstation (DAW)

    Even a bit of musical knowledge can take your songwriting to the next level.

    Quick Songwriting Exercises Are Just As Valuable As Writing Full Songs

    You don’t need hours of free time to get better at songwriting. Even a quick 10-minute exercise can have a significant impact. This is probably one of the most impactful lessons I have learnt in my songwriting journey. It’s also the one that most people tell me has impacted them the most in theirs, especially with modern life being so busy.

    Try these simple exercises:

    ✍️ Lyric warm-ups – Write a phrase 10 new ways. For example, how else can you say ‘I miss you’?

    🎶 Melody challenges – Hum a random melody over a looped chord progression.

    🔄 Word swaps – change a well known phrase or idiom to have a new meaning.

    📜 Title brainstorming – Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down 10 potential song titles—don’t overthink it!

    These exercises can easily fit into everyday moments—waiting in line, during your commute, or even while you’re watching your kid’s football game.

    The More You Write, The Easier It Gets

    Songwriting might feel difficult at first, but like any creative skill, it gets easier with practice. 

    The more songs you write, the more natural the process becomes. You start recognising what works, developing your own voice, and feeling more confident in your ideas.

    And the best part? There’s no limit to how much you can grow. Every song teaches you something new. So keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly—keep writing.

    What Songwriting Tips Do You Wish You Knew When You Started?

    These songwriting tips have helped me grow as a songwriter, and I hope they help you too! If you could give your beginner songwriter self one piece of advice, what would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear them!