I don't even follow the same path all the time. It could be that I hear someone say something and think, that would be a good idea for a song..... other times, I mess around with my guitar, piano, or BB and something just kinda sticks to the proverbial wall.... I might throw some lyrics on it and sometimes they stick and trigger a complete train of thought.... and there's other times where I hear something on the radio and start a song from that. IN addition, some of the best things I have written, In my humble opinion, have come from other writers sending me ideas and partial songs or ideas for songs and we work on those as a collaborative effort.

I'll take a good idea from anywhere and everywhere.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.