What does it take to be inspired and write a song?
Realistically, very little. What is important is to catch a moment of life and transport your imagination somewhere where words best describe that moment, then add music to compliment that imagination and soothe your mind and soul. It's not easy one may say, and yet for some it's so simple.
The next phase is to record your masterpiece, well that's work on its own. The right Engineer, The right Studio, The right Musicians. Often I sit with all my hats on, because if you want a masterpiece, you have to do most of the work, and the key is learn and experiment as much as you can.