Like everyone said there's no set way to write music. I tend to write music more from the melody perspective and from the HOOK down. I'm always looking for a phrase that I think is a good hook. That's my inspiration .. THE HOOK! I find that when I do it that way it's easier to set the story up. For me it's a lot easier. I'll also create and use a musical loop from usually the intro through the first hook and just loop it and loop it until an interesting melody comes along. Like I said I've pretty much got my hook so now I need a melody. I don't try to put specific words to the melody. Just "da-da-da's" and sounds that I think would fit the mood, tempo, and melody. It's funny that using this method sometimes little words and phrases pop out that I can use later. The most important thing for me is "can the song be sung"? Is it in a range that a singer can deliver? That's why I never write to music notes. They are interesting but lots of times a singer can't phrase the notes like an instrument can. Plus instrumentalist usually play more notes than a singer can sing and breathe. If the song is something I think I'll like I'll record a scratch vocal track, create an MP3 with the vocal and track and listen to the song on my phone. When I do that away from the system I tend to get even more ideas. If a vocal phrase or lyric pops in my head while I'm out and about I'll sing the line into my phone (Samsung Voice Recorder app) so I don't forget. If it's just a line I'll quickly write the line down in the notebook on my phone.

I do think one good habit I got into a few years ago was FINISHING songs I started. After having tons of unfinished songs on my hard drive I realized that I needed to change. By finishing songs it helped my writing tremendously. I not only found new techniques by doing this but also the ability to take a previous a song and modify it to almost any genre. Anyway that's how I write songs.