Someone said "the songs find me", and I too tend to write in this way.

The words come first, and given the right inspiration, very easily. Then I work on the hard part, which for me is always the production of a tune that fits the mood of the piece.

I think the most important part is to avoid becoming formulaic, and it's not always easy. I have scrapped good lyrics because they only worked with a tune that sounded like something I had already written and performed.

Too often, I think, young singer/songwriters get into this rut, and only the most ardent fan will enjoy a performance where most of the songs sound alike. Variety is indeed the spice of life, and of performing success.

Don T.