Amos is the only one who has songs that 'flow right out'. I don't know where they flow FROM though;-)

Gotcha Amos.

Seriously, no they don't flow right out, you have to work at them.

A song should be no longer than 3 minutes.

A song needs a beginning, a middle and an end.
The beginning's job is to get the listener's attention.
The middle's job is to build up to the end.
The end's job is to deliver the punch line, message or moral.

The song MUST have an end, 'cos that's what it's all about. If you don't have an end, you don't have a song.

So you stop writing at the end and it should be no more than three minutes (song time that is, not writing time) away from the beginning.

You should do real good if you keep the thought that you 'don't plan on ever doing "serious" songwriting'

You have just started on a very enjoyable part of your life.

Bert.