Don't be put off with comments above. But use them for the next song. Remember the immortal Theodor Sturgeon. Sturgeons Rule is "9 tenths of everything is crud". And Shaw's Gambit "the Golden Rule is that there are no Golden Rules". (George Beranard Shaw - he said a lot of things) - use their advice wisely.

Think- how long did it take to ride a bike? It took a few goes to learn, if you remember. Songwriting ain't that much different, just far more complex. And even Bob D had a few turkeys.

I always say, all you need for a song is the itch that needs scratching, it has to come out. If the itch is to "write a song" then you get a song. If the itch is an injustice over something, you probably get a better song. If the itch is love of someone - you is in crowded territory, it better be good to stand out. If the words are important, let them be to the fore, but that is about delivery. Performance can make or break a song.

Songwriting is a learned art, like anything else and it is complex art, the song doesn't have to show that complexity, except to other songwriters, the most evocative songs are remarkably simple to an untrained ear, but evocative. Less can be more, if you are clever with it.

Basically keep going. You will notice things. Try learning a Sea Shanty - the reason I recommend that is that they are rhythmical for a reason, they have humour, they have rhyme, near rhyme and often rhyme refused. And repetition/joining-in. Their rhythm is designed to co-ordinate people. It may not be your style, but that is all part of the learning. Stretch yourself, you don't have to perform those songs, but you benefit from exposure to them.

Oh and welcome to the Mudcat. We are a disparate group. We bicker, we support, we carp, we joke, we - are just human in all its multifarious weaknesses.