Clarity is particularly important in songwriting. Keep in mind: your listeners might possibly not catch a word, or a line, or maybe even a whole verse. Don’t bet that  just a single line will be able to place your entire song in context for them.

Create vivid metaphors and use strong similes to embellish your song’s narrative. Not only does this assist in telling the story more effectively, but it creates memorable imagery for your listener.

Try to envision a melody that’s perfectly simplistic without being amateurish or “cheap.” Just remain genuine and good things can happen. Be patient and really invest time to create your best work.

Most great lyrics tell a story. It doesn’t have to be a complicated story, but it should have a beginning, a middle, a climax, and an end.

Your subconscious mind is constantly working, but it cannot be forced at times to produce. Good song ideas need time to incubate.

A bit of modified advice from the late, great Kurt Vonnegut — “Be merciless on yourself. If a [verse] does not illuminate your subject in some new and useful way, scratch it out.”

Generally speaking, you don’t want the verse melody to be anywhere near as catchy as the chorus or you’ll risk losing the impact of the chorus.