Songwriting. Where to start?

We've all been there. A freshly sharpened pencil. A steaming cup of coffee. A blank page... and a blank mind. Songwriting can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be!

Starting is the hardest part. The key is to begin the process long before you sit down to write. It starts the moment you open your eyes in the morning. It's in the rays shooting through your window. The steam rising from your coffee, just about to burn your tongue. It's the everyday objects around you that will inspire your words.

One method I love comes from Pat Pattison. In his book, Writing Better Lyrics, he introduces Object Writing. It focuses on paying attention to the world using your senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, organic (how your body feels), and kinesthetic (how your body moves). By noticing these details, you become a sponge to the world around you and soak up endless inspiration.

How it works: Choose any object. A cup of coffee, a shoe, or even your toothpaste residue. Set a timer for five minutes and write down everything you notice about it while staying grounded in your senses. Don't worry about rhyme or structure; this is a free-write. Capture the experience in detail. Small observations can spark lyrics, melodies, or even the concept of an entire song.

Once those five minutes are up, you can start experimenting with turning your notes into lines or phrases. Look for inspiring words or phrases to build on. Explore rhyme and repetition as it occurs naturally, and pay attention to the emotions behind your observations. Songwriting is a process of discovery, and the more you practice noticing and describing your world, the more authentic your point of view will become. Start small, stay curious, and let your unique experiences guide your words. Five minutes of this exercise, and your empty page will be filled with inspiration!