I always keep a notepad by my bed and in my car – tattered, liquid-stained pages that hold my best ideas.  When inspiration hits me upside the head, whether it’s a stray lyric like: “with Big Ben I stand and watch, as time spins without thought” or a melody I hum into my phone, I jot it down immediately. Otherwise, it’s gone forever – I’ve learned that the hard way.  For years, this has been my ritual.

Once I have a complete lyric sheet, it’s time to bring in the musicians.  Since I don’t play an instrument myself, I rely on talented guitarists, pianists, or producers to translate the sound in my head.