There’s a truth that most seasoned songwriters quietly understand. And that is:
The real key to writing songs isn’t talent or inspiration. It’s persistence.
It’s easy to romanticise the process, waiting for the muse to strike, expecting songs to arrive fully formed in the middle of the night. And sure, once in a while, that happens.
But more often, songwriting is slow. Frustrating. Uneven. And that’s perfectly normal.
So, if you’re in a rut, doubting yourself, or wondering whether it’s worth continuing because progress feels so damn small… let me tell you something important:
Yes. It is.
Here’s why that forward motion (no matter how tiny) matters more than you think.
1. Progress Builds Momentum (Even When It Feels Like It’s Not)
You write one lyric. You hum a melody. You scrap a chorus and try again. None of it feels massive in the moment, but it’s all movement. And movement leads to momentum.
You’re building something, even when it’s not immediately obvious.
2. Your Craft Grows with Repetition
Songwriting is a skill, and skills need reps.
Every song (even the ones that don’t quite work) teaches you something. About structure. About your voice. About what feels honest or forced.
You don’t get that from just thinking about writing. You get it by doing.
3. Resistance Gets Quieter the More You Show Up
We all hear that voice: “This isn’t good enough. You’re not a real songwriter. Why are you even trying?”
That voice doesn’t disappear overnight. But each time you write through it, even if it’s just a line or a rough draft, you prove it wrong.
And over time, that voice loses its power.
4. Inspiration Follows Action (Not the Other Way Around)
It’s a myth that inspiration comes first. In reality, it often shows up once you’ve already begun. That riff you almost didn’t play, that phrase you almost didn’t write down, those are the seeds of real songs.
You don’t wait for magic. You start working, and magic sometimes shows up.
5. Most People Stop Too Soon
Let’s be honest, lots of aspiring songwriters give up before they’ve even given themselves a chance. They hit a block, they get discouraged, and they stop.
But the ones who keep going? Even when they feel unsure, slow, or stuck? Those are the ones who finish songs. Those are the ones who become songwriters, not just people who say they want to be.
6. The Small Wins Are Everything
You wrote a chorus that finally clicks. You captured a feeling that’s been sitting in your chest for months. You finished a song you almost gave up on. These moments matter.
They’re how you build your catalogue. Your confidence. Your identity as a creator.
So… Keep Going!
Write something – even if it’s one line.
Play something – even if it’s rough.
Capture something – even if it doesn’t feel like a masterpiece.
Because every step counts. Every word, every chord, every song brings you closer to where you want to be.
This is what the process actually looks like: imperfect, slow, but steadily building.
And the only way to lose is to stop.
