How do you compose a song?

I love composing, but it takes practice. They say the best way to compose is to just do it, a little everyday, even if it's bad. For me, I have many random thoughts throughout the day. I write them down and end up with several disjointed lines or couplets. When I go back through them,though, sometimes I find a common thread. Sometimes what I've written sparks me to write more about that topic or feeling. I enjoy blindly putting my pen to the paper and see what flows out of my mind.I know many people sit down and try to write a whole story. Some find it best to start with a 'hook,' a line that's usually used in the chorus that sort of identifies the song. After this initial process, I find it takes a lot of molding and rewriting until a cohesive song is formed. I stay sane by remembering that there are many right choices, and although not everything that I write is gold, I know that it takes a lot of mediocrity to find a hidden diamond. A good writing exercise to start with is making your self write free form for 10-20 minutes a day. Write anything, even if it's 'I don't know what the f to write about' I think you'll be surprised what comes out of your mind if you let the thoughts flow. As for the guitar, learn as many songs as you can. This is the easiest and most enjoyable way to learn new chords. If you find a chord that strikes you, play around with it. What chords sound good before it? After it? What chords would surprise the listener? What pattern of chords communicates the feeling of your song? Play around and remember that even if your songs feel simple in the beginning, the more you practice the more you'll know, and soon you're songs will start to grow beyond what you imagined when you started! Happy playing!

Hi there, nice to see fellow music lover especially composers. My inspiration comes from people around me and what I have read, see or hear. But most of the times, I think my composition are about failed relationships. Anyway, I only do the lyrics whereas someone does the melody and then we will refine it using what we have

I think the best way to stay creative is to learn to find inspiration on all that drives you and life in general, find your own concept for life and remember people will like your song if its brings peace and joy mostly.