I have to admit that at this time I don't have a particularly academic approach to writing lyrics. I mostly write in solitary mode and I find it wonderful to be as honest and uncensored as possible with my ideas. Co-writing is great for sharing and expanding on your ideas and approach though, so I'd suggest go for as many ways to create if you get the opportunity.
I usually begin with a mood and really begin to tune in to that feeling. Sometimes an object or a written phrase catches my attention and words will flow from that. Next I take whatever instrument I have on hand - usually my trusty Maton CW80 (the same instrument that's travelled with me since I first began performing) I just let myself find sounds, chord progressions, a rhythm whatever comes to me and usually some words will start rolling. It's good to have something to capture the moment, so if you have a tape player, DAT or anything portable or even a space where you can get your "sketches" without being pressured or precious then its ideal. I just let the thoughts and the words proceed and usually a theme or a subject will present itself.
For example. Over the years I have been reading and studying alot of the spiritual concepts relating to the power of thought and its ability to attract the circumstances and events in your life. (Recently this theme has been coming more into the mainstream with films like "What the Bleep" and "The Secret") I started on a groove and a few chord progressions which suggested a couple of distinct parts for the song. I start singing whatever comes into my head and write the words down this time because I dont have anything to record with and I wasn't planning to write a song...but anyway...that's ok, I have pen and paper and just go with it. Work for as long as there is "energy" for the creation as it were. I usually know when I have enough lyrics to edit later. Sometimes if I get interupted or if I lose the energy, I finish the session and go back later to try to recapture it. Just setting the intention to complete it later if it was a promising beginning. Sometimes you will be able to rework it, other times you may decide to leave it as a sketch. I have quite a few songs that I didn't finish until years later when the theme recurs, and I have a different or "graduated" take on it. Anyway, once you have some lyrics and few verses etc you can come back and edit to streamline your song for best flow of ideas and expression and fit for the music and rhythm and for ease of singing. I tend to like to minimise the number of words. But you will find your own preference and style as you continue along.
More about Peggy See all Peggy's CdsFREE E Book that the blockbuster movie "THE SECRET" is based on
As an example of a recent song. I picked up my guitar in the loungeroom my young son was playing with some stickers and had put one of spiderman on the glass - I had a groove going on my guitar and some words popped into my head
"climbing up the wall - temperaturese rising..." the song took about half an hour to emerge, I reworked it over a week or so adding more lyrics and building a theme. Overall its still pretty obtuse but fits in great to the "Light Diamond" album selection.
Mercy
wds and music Peggy van Zalm
Climbing up the wall, temperature's rising
oh dear Yin, draw us in , til we're up to the brim
where we swim through the thick and the thin
oh sweet summer's gathering us in.
Rising up so tall, yeah started out so small
on a whim and a song
its what carries us along
through the tears and the smiles
yeah we're travellin' 'cross those miles
Been chasing shadows from our sight
Disappearing with the light
oh mercy knows us oh so well
Our intentions pave the way
Draw the night or paint the day
oh mercy she can tell so well
but she won't say....
Burning stronger darling
Linger longer darling
sing our song oh darling
shine love divine....
and we'll see the walls fall
temperature's rising
see the walls fall
oh oh oh oh oh