In the previous post we took a look at some songwriting missteps that I see over and over again in my students and in myself. I hope I’m not encouraging existential paranoia here, but many of us are actively sabotaging our own songs using a variety of excuses and bad habits. The best defense against these subconscious avoidance tactics is to be conscious of them—because if you see them for what they are, you can resist them.
1. Waiting until you have more time.
There’s never a good time to sit down and write. There will always be fifteen distractions; all of them sexier, easier, or more pressing than writing. I hate to be the bearer of obvious news here, but if you really want to be a songwriter, you’ve got to make time to write songs. “I’ll write songs when I’m out of school.” “…off tour.” “…retired.” No you will not. When you have more time, you will just have more time to waste. Get going. If you have ten minutes a day—and most everyone has much more than that—you can write.
2. Reading about songwriting, neglecting to write songs.
Reading about the craft is terrific and necessary—but make sure you apply that knowledge. It’s easy to fall into the trap of reading a pile of books on songwriting instead of actually composing. Heads up: if this goes on for too long, you’re not a songwriter—you’re a reader. Which is great! But probably not quite what you were going for.
3. Writing songs rapidly, but never getting better.
This is the opposite problem: learning too little about the craft while cranking out song after song. It’s essential to learn new techniques, study your favorite writers, receive critique, and otherwise improve. Seek a healthy balance between learning and doing.
4. Poorly labeling your recordings.
Don’t just mark them with the date. Give them descriptive names and, if necessary, jot a sentence or two explaining what’s on the recording. This doesn’t have to be fancy; it could be as simple as “Summery, sunny-sounding folk fingerpicking pattern on dobro” or something similarly short and descriptive.
5. Creating logistical recording problems.
For example: If the cables to your microphone and recording rig are disconnected and scattered here and there in odd locations in your home, it adds an unnecessary step of hunting and gathering to your recording. Ideally you should be able to hit one or two power switches and then be ready to roll—the urge to get an idea on tape or to demo a drafted song can be fickle, so hurry!
6. Cliché.
A cliché is an overused and habitual phrase that comes readily to mind in the course of writing. Resist clichés! There’s no quick and easy fix for this; to avoid clichés you’ve got to read a lot and listen to lots of music in the genres you write for. Then, to ensure your work is unique, avoid the overused images, phrases, and hackneyed sentiments you’ve noticed in the work of others. Be vigilant too about any pet phrases that you yourself use over and over again. If there’s an artistic reason for this repetition, great! But if not, edit it out as you strive to dig deeper, make new connections, and write songs that surprise even you. 
Credit for the awesome piano photo: basheertome
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One of my favorite sites for song writing…thank you
Thanks, Praverb!
I was just reading the “About” on praverb.net and I finally knew for sure what I want to write about for your site. Hopefully you’ll dig it too…
Ever notice how many songs or verses start with the words “I don’t know?” It’s because song writers sit around wondering what to say next. They don’t know what to say next, and that ends up being the next line. Stop it.
THANK YOU RUSS. You are dead-on.
I’m adding this comment to a post about cliches:
http://lyricworkroom.com/words/are-you-moving-your-audience-to-tears-or-boring-them-to-tears/
I hope you don’t mind.