The Songwriter’s Guide To Becoming Prolific And Writing Like Never Before

If I told you that you could write hundreds of songs that would change the world, would you believe me?

It’s possible, but far from easy. Many of you are epic songwriters.

Still, others of you want to be epic songwriters, but aren’t doing anything about it.

That last sentence wasn’t a slam. It’s a reality you and I face every day. Will we take steps to making our dreams a reality or will we simply think about it?

The choice is yours.

Prolific Writers Decide To Write

We idolize prolific writers, don’t we?

How could Charles Wesley write 9,000 hymns? Either he was prolific or most of them really sucked.

How did Ryan O’Neal from Sleeping At Last write and release an EP every month for an entire year? And each and every lyric blow my mind?

How do great writers grip our hearts with such consistency?

What’s the trick?

Here it is: they made a decision. They chose to start. It’s not about having loads of natural talent. It’s not about being born the best. It’s about making a decision and showing up every day, consistently.

Prolific writers write loads of crappy songs to unlock their best. I believe my best songs have yet to be written…because I’ve decided to write.

Simple? Yes. Easy? Hardly.

Isn’t The “Market” Too Crowded?

But why should I write more songs? Aren’t there enough songs in an overcrowded market? Yes, the market is crowded. Too often, it’s crowded with crap.

But we have need for the real writers to rise up.

We have need for the best songs, not the mediocre nonsense.

We have need for you to be you.

We have a need for you to release not just what is popular and easy, but what is the result of your blood, sweat, and tears.

We need songs that connect with the depths of who you are and what you believe.

We need songs that clarify the voice of God for the church.

You need it. We need it. Your church needs it.

Where Do I Start?

A great question. Here’s what to do:

1. Create A Plan – Build songwriting into your schedule like you would morning devotions or exercise or running errands. Make a plan and stick to it for a while.

Don’t worry about being inspired for now. Just write. For a while, try it first thing in the morning no matter how uninspired you feel. Do it even when it hurts.

2. Steal Ideas to Jumpstart Your Own – Want to take some artistic advice from Picasso? He said, “Good artists copy; great artists steal.” Don’t misunderstand it. Plagiarizing another’s work is wrong. And lame.

But using other’s ideas as a springboard to something new is brilliant. Do that in your songwriting.

3. Do Something Different – Have you created your plan? Developed a habit? Good…I want you to forget about it now. Do something completely different.

Put yourself in new surroundings. Write a different style song. Pick a theme you hardly every think about. Whatever you typically do, do the opposite.

4. Record It – Seriously. It’s never been easier to record yourself. Listening to your own music is the best way to improve it. You realize things you’d never notice otherwise.

Open Garageband or a voice recorder or your iPhone. Quality doesn’t matter. Just record what you got, listen, and tweak. Go do it now.

5. Share It – Your music needs to be shared. To write like you’ve never written before, you need feedback. Just like a healthy spiritual life involves giving and receiving, you need to give your music.

Let others hear it. Maybe you want to record an album. But you don’t even have to go that far yet. Play it for a friend or small group. Get it out there.

I want 2012 to a productive year of writing for you. And I want to help you get there.

Question: What holds you back from writing like you’ve never written before? Or what techniques have helped you write consistently? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Btw, if you thought this post was helpful, consider sharing it with your social network via the sharing icons below. That’s the greatest compliment you could give! You’re awesome..

Photo Credit: CWM Gary (SXC.HU)