A Great 28: Tips For Songwriters
Written by Terry and Randy Butler   
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Terry and Randy Butler give quick tips to today's songwriter. 1. Let God be your promoter.

2. Floss every day!

3. Don’t obsess over a song that seems hard to finish - move on - you can always come back to it.

4. Take the long way home. Take in the trees, flowers, and green grass. Roll down your windows and feel the breeze.

5. Learn the meaning of three new words every week.

6. Buy a new CD once a month, and explore new styles/artists.

7. Remember that God writes the best worship songs!

8. Be on the lookout for that co-writer that’s a match for you.

9. Read these books…

  •     The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
  •     Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis
  •     To Know You More by Andy Park
  •     Dangerous Wonder by Mike Yaconelli
  •     Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
  •     Raggamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
  •     Leap Over A Wall by Eugene Peterson
  •     The Message by Eugene Peterson
  •     Desiring God by John Piper
  •     What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancy

(Remember… Amazon.com is your friend!)

10. Hang out and play guitar/piano with someone better than you. Watch what they do. Ask questions. It’s a great way to learn new stuff.

11. Say over and over again, to yourself,“I’m a lifelong learner!”

12. You need solitude to write songs.

13. Shoot the TV!              

14. Remember: 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration.

15. Get honest feedback about your new song. Be selective. Find people who will nudge you towards growth.

16. Schedule time to write and edit. Even if you never pick up your instrument, read and think.

17. Remember, some songs come seemingly in an instant. Others come in installments.

18. Writing a song can involve all these feelings… exhilaration, frustration, desperation, exhaustion, euphoria, and fragility.

19. Give at lease seven hugs a day.

20. Stop the comparison trap. No, you’re not Matt Redman.

21. Caution! Don’t over analyze your song. Don’t throw stuff away too quickly.

22. Read a children’s book.

23. Don’t “should” on yourself.

24. Remember, he overwhelming majority (80%) of the top Grammy winning songs were co-written (2 or more authors).

25. If one of your songs gets published, you’re still a “dufus” who needs God.

26. Laugh a lot more. Laugh at yourself. If you’re looking around at all, you’ll see that a lot of things are truly funny!

27. Get a good instrument. Good instruments inspire.

28. At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, walk humbly. The gift was given by Him, it’s not yours.