The same applies to me when I tried to create a sequence of steps for my student to follow when he writes a melody to given words. I tried to give him the following sequence:

1) Find the accents in the words. Write syllables of the words below the staff. 2) Put bar lines before each accent. 4) Put lightly a quarter over each syllable 5)See if the syllables do groups of 2, 3, 4, 5 quarters etc. and decide accordingly the time signature. If the syllables ar grouped in 2s the most convinient time signature would be 2/4. If the quarters or syllables are grouped in 4s the most convinient time signature would be 4. 6) Change a few quarters into half notes or eighth notes so that the rhythm be logical with time signature lighly above the staff 7) Divide the rhythmic composition into phrases. 8) Decide about the key signature 9) Put notes, melody to the rhythm according to the words of the poem. 10) Put dynamics