Youtube vid – “Music Production”  by Ralph Murphy, likeable, listenable, clear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PbnmiLkzBU

One of the most useful basic things when songwriting is:

DON’T whine, preach or vent

When you write about yourself, you are never the loser – make ‘he’ or ‘she’ the loser

After you’ve written the song, ask yourself 3 things “what’s in it for the listener?”  “what’s in it for the listener?” “what’s in it for the listener?”

You’re writing to please what is, in the main, a female audience of buyers.