Catchy / Melodic Hooks

[AndreiStephen]

Although this is about as vague as a topic can possibly get, I can't help but ask; how do you all write your hooks or main melodies in songs?

I dont mean the drop, but intros, or just memorable melodies that are catchy or "hummable".. Any specific methods or rituals, or do you just improvise until you find something that sounds good?

[victor w]

To get better at writing melody and music and general i found out that doing a lot of LISTENING helps more than anything. But aside from that, when I write a melody there are no rituals, just write something, edit it, edit it some more, if you came out with something you were pleased about, then great. If not, then you can try again later. fool around on a keyboard if you have one handy. although its usually not how I come up with ones, its fun and you can easily become inspired by it.

[Heartless]

Best case scenario, I have somethin' kickin' around in my head already that I can just transcribe.
But usually, I press keys until I come up with a decent couple of bars, workshop that, then add a few more. Then I take a break and do somethin' while my ears refresh, today it was some Castlevania on DS. After a little while of that, I listen to what I've got again and either keep it and maybe make some minor adjustments, or scrap it.

There are no shortcuts or tricks. Sometimes it takes hours to come up with something, sometimes days.