I just read a sharp piece from Speed Songwriting that calls out nine classic excuses that keep us from writing and shows simple ways to beat each one. It is a friendly kick in the pants, the kind you save to your bookmarks and actually use when the gears start grinding.
The heart of the article
At its core, the article argues that as songwriters, most of us are not short on talent.
We are tripping over habits, fears, and stories we tell ourselves. It tackles the greatest hits of avoidance: “I don’t have time,” “I’m not inspired,” “everything I write sucks,” “I keep editing while I write,” “I’m not a real songwriter,” “I don’t know what to write about,” “people won’t like it,” “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and “I need better gear first.”
For each excuse, there is a practical counter move.
Protect a daily 15-minute window. Use constraints to spark ideas. Treat bad drafts as compost for future songs and separate writing from editing.
Track your reps so you can see progress on the wall, not only in your head. Link writing to an existing routine, like coffee or a nightly walk. Share small, imperfect clips to build that exposure muscle.
And stop blaming microphones for problems that consistency will fix. It is simple, honest, and very usable advice.
My take
As a working songwriter and producer, I like how the piece strips away the mystique without stripping away the magic.
Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for good weather to start a garden. Some days will be sunny, some days will not, but the seeds still need to go in the soil. When I treat songwriting as a practice, the songs show up more often. When I treat it as a rare event, they stay shy.
A few things I’d add from my own workflow:
- Make a Song Seed Bank. Keep titles, riffs, rhythms, and stray lines in one place. When time is tight, you are not starting from a blank page, you are picking from a pantry.
- Name your sessions. “Verse Lab,” “Hook Hunt,” “Bridge Builder.” One task per session cuts decision fatigue.
- Use friction wisely. Keep your capture tools stupid-easy. Voice Memos and a notes app will beat a perfect template you never open.
- Practice public. Share 20–30 seconds of a rough idea with a small circle. Feedback is data. Nerves are training.
- Honor the third draft. Draft 1 is for bravery, Draft 2 is for shape, Draft 3 is for clarity. Editing has a seat at the table, just not at the head.
Underneath all of this is permission. You are allowed to write a messy song today. You are allowed to finish it. You are allowed to learn in public. The craft grows when the calendar does.
Read the full article
If you have been circling your notebook or DAW waiting for a sign, take this as it. Read the full piece from Speed Songwriting, then try one idea today before you close the tab.
Or better still, you can try a seven-day “No Excuses, Just 15 Minutes” challenge. Pick your daily window, set a timer, and post a short note here about what you did.
