- Read A LOT.
Seriously!!!! (Poetry, scripts, stories, etc.) - Listen to a LOT of music
In a variety of genres. - Write with others.
Develop strong co-writing relationships. - Focus on your strengths.
Whether they consist of your ability to write lyrics or melodies, etc. Become the best at those strengths! - Spend time with God and learn to hear His voice.
Don’t just spend time with God in order to get some inspiration, do it because you genuinely want to know Him. - Try writing in different locations.
Move into unknown environments – they often spark new inspiration. Go to a cafe, to the mountains or wherever is far away from your usual surroundings. - “Throw a spanner in the works”.
Change up your approach to writing. For example, if you always start by writing chords, maybe try starting with lyrics instead. It might be as simple as changing from a piano sound on Logic to a synth sound. - Give yourself a deadline.
Set a time frame for when a song should be finished. It helps to motivate you and keeps the song feeling fresh. - Write every day.
One thing I’ve learned lately is that it is absolutely vital that you don’t miss a day of writing. It could just be 20 minutes on an acoustic guitar whilst you watch TV or it could be recording a voice memo on your phone whilst you’re walking around – these things help so much to keep your mind flowing. Not only that, but it also strengthens your craft. Once, I didn’t write for around two months and it was the worst thing I ever did because it took so long for me to get back into the rhythm of things. - Ask for feedback.
Find your favourite writers and ask for feedback!
- Aodhan
(Hillsong Worship Website)
