A lot of the advice I've read says to set up a regular schedule for songwriting. Maybe it's every week night at 8pm or something like that. I guess the idea is that sooner or later your mind adjusts to the schedule and you're just able to write. Of course at first you'll still be sitting there staring at a blank page.
Some people are prolific songwriters and write well alone. Then there are several songwriting duos and groups that have written hits.
It sounds like you're stressed out because you're the only one in your band that's writing the songs. (Hopefully your group is called The Chris Nickey Band, if that's the case.) Reading between the lines a bit it sounds like you wouldn't mind a little more help in this department from your bandmates.
Of course there are a billion ways to write a song. However, there seem to be two main strategies: write lyrics/melody first or write arrangement/chord progression first. A lot of bands expect their lead singer to handle writing melodies and usually lyrics, too. After all you're the guy that has to sing them. It doesn't help if the melody is out of your range or the words just make you want to puke.
But who handles writing the arrangements? The typical band will let each player write their own part: guitar(s), bass, drums, whatever else.
Have you tried letting the band come up with an arrangement first? (Or are you the guitarist in a power trio?) If they can come up with a cool riff or chord progression or whatever that can be the starting point for a song. You just have to add lyrics and a melody.
If you don't mind, ask one of the guys to write some lyrics. The drummer writes almost all the lyrics for the band Rush, for example.
Even if they're not "proficient at the craft" you can still have brainstorming sessions with them. If you can come up with one good song idea out of a hundred you'll be doing well. (Assuming once you have the idea then writing the song falls in place naturally for you.) Just talk about things you've all seen recently. People watching, either consciously or not, is usually good fodder for song ideas.
If it were raining and you saw two strangers at a bus stop and one shared her umbrella with him, could you write a song about that? ("Bus Stop", The Hollies. I have no idea what they based it on but I can definitely see this scenario happening.)
In summary, try to make songwriting more of a collaborative effort. At least everyone should be able to help at the idea/title/hook stage. Try to keep to a schedule. And write about life as you know it and experience it.
Edited by RicBassGuy (03/15/08 02:19 PM)
