I’ve Got a Great Idea For A Song, Now How Do I Flesh Out the Lyrics?

If you’ve ever struggled from taking a great lyrical idea all the way to a completed song, then this is the video for you. I talk about how just a little bit of planning before you actually begin working on your lyrics can save you a ridiculous amount of time and hassle.

Whether you’ve struggled with writer’s block or you’re just not sure how to flesh out an idea in a way that makes sense for the format of a song, there are some simple strategies to take you from stuck to done.

When I was a younger songwriter, I would have gagged at the idea of trying to impose any order on my lyrics. I thought that the only way to write lyrics was total stream of consciousness and that any imposed order was just stifling my creativity.

And there are times when that approach is what I want…

But, generally speaking, it’s not a great way to connect with most fans, and it’s not a particularly effective way to get my message across to my listeners.

Since then, I’ve found that a little bit of organization at the outset of the writing process actually forces me to be MORE creative and in the process saves a ton of time and trouble. And in the end, it leaves me with a song that is MUCH easier for my fans to connect with.

0:50 My struggles with scattershot writing
1:45 Personal example of ineffective writing: Blacklight
2:20 Organization doesn’t limit creativity; it forces more
3:06 A little planning goes a long way
4:34 Pat Pattison
4:54 Song Mapping
5:18 Narrative arcs
5:57 Resources as shortcuts

You can check out Pat Pattison’s materials here: https://www.patpattison.com/

Simon Hawkin’s book on Song Maps is available here: https://www.simonhawkinsmusic.com/books

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: The Unmute Your Muse Facebook Group is a great place to interact with other dedicated songwriters, just like you.   / unmuteyourmuse  
~Get constructive feedback on ideas you’re developing
~Interact with songwriters from around the world
~Meet people with specialized skills in each part of the songwriting process
~Get your songwriting questions answered

**Get your songs unstuck with The Unstuck Songwriter’s Roadmap, a free resource we’ve developed to help you identify and solve your song-stuck sticking points. http://UnmuteYourMuse.com

Songwriting questions? Send us an email at [email protected]

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