Lyrics - I usually (but not always) start with a 'ghost' song that motivates me and then start finding my own lyrics to it, using the tempo and rhythm of the 'ghost'. That helps a lot. I also just write poems (which aren't poems but songs as can be so clearly demonstrated by reading them at a poetry gathering as I have done). Still, it seems the poets don't mind at all. Maybe they would really love to write songs but don't know how? Personally, I love 'story' songs and songs with an unexpected twist that surprise the listeners and make them think. For me, invariably the lyrics come before the melody.

Software - I find MasterWriter excellent for creating lyrics. When coming to the music side of things, obviously, PG software and you might well find MS Songsmith (which has heavy input from PG Music) to be helpful

Melodies - try reading the song out loud and recording that so you can hear yourself tell it with expression. Then exaggerate the pitches as they rise and fall. The melody will soon become fairly obvious. Personally, I try to ignore styles or arrangements at this point as I believe a melody should be able to stand on its own with no music whatsoever. If it can do this, it leaves the field wide open for you to set it to absolutely ANY style. Unfortunately, too often musicians think arrangements first. I think it was Gershwin (but I'm not sure it was him, maybe somebody else) in a film about his life screamed at a composer who was working with him; "I want melodies and you are giving me arrangements!"

Keys - I find it easiest to write down the melody in the key of C as there are no sharps or flats to worry about. Once you have the melody down, you will also find it easier to arrange. Once you have done that, you can then transpose it to whatever key best suits the singer's vocal range.

Tempo and rhythm are vital - take a listen to rap (which I can't stand) as there is no melody there at all (usually) but the tempo and rhythm are vital. Rap is still song, apparently (but not in my book), but I prefer to look at it as poetry set to music. Use a metronome or a click track where you can. As a very general rule of thumb, dancing / rock tracks are somewhere around 120bpm and ballads / love songs are somewhere around 80bpm. Of course, this varies from song to song but is as good a starting place as any.

Music Styles / Arrangements - I think it must be easier with Jazz as the chord progressions are usually pretty straight forward on a 32 bar chorus. 12 bar songs are also easy but there are too many of them around. Country and Rock songs can be a lot more surprising as you may want the chord progression to follow the melody and not the other way round.

Books to read - there are plenty of really excellent books on songwriting that I could recommend but everything I have is in boxes at the moment as I moved in August into a new flat and have not had time to unpack yet. I can remember there is a Dummie's Guide which is not a bad place to start. As I recall, it also breaks things down into constituent parts and then shows you how they were built. I believe it also contains some exercises to help you on your way.

Alternatively, find yourself a collaborator. I am very lucky to have several professional musicians in my band, including a piano player who has studied composition at Vienna University. She helps me to find the melody and is teaching me how to write it down. In her opinion a dictaphone or a Zoom(?) is extremely useful as it can be used absolutely anywhere. I know my strengths - lyrics, arranging and singing. The rest I leave to the band. And it is MY band. You may find your strengths lie in other areas and you find a collaborator to write the lyrics for you. I also collaborate with another musician on HIS songs where he has a vague idea of what he wants to say (in German) but wants a full set of song lyrics for it in English. In this respect, I ask him all the possible questions I can (who, what, where, when, why, how, etc), make notes, listen to him play over and over again, scribble down ideas, discuss it some more, expand and so on. Then I start to take out bits I don't really like and then polish off. He's happy. I'm happy.

You asked for advice, this is how I work. Of course, you may totally disagree and find some other way. There is more than one way to skin a rabbit...

HTH

Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

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Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what