Good subject.....
I do not know if there is anyway for a songwriter to do it right. At the end of the day you are trying to to tell a story. If people get what you are trying to say, well, job done. And after some time the song stands on its own.
When I am in NYC I sometimes go to Jack Hardy s place in the village. You have to bring in song you wrote that week. So it keeps you on your toes.
And yes it sometimes takes years to write one. one of my tunes, Gauguin' Dream took years. I carry that 1st line with me, "Gauguin drinking colors first thing in the morning".
Sill Pickin'
B.H.