Ableton Forum

I could seriously use some criticism (constructive or otherwise) on how to move this latest work in progress along. I tend to fiddle with little things and eventually end up hating the whole piece that I'm working on and then bag it. This latest thing that I'm working on is a perfect example where it has no reasonable form, just a few ideas that possibly half work. Now it's brick wall, frustration and the like. I think what I need is more of an over-arching structure to the piece.

Here:

http://soundcloud.com/sondericker/work-in-progress

and I'd love to have someone slap me around a bit over my previous completed effort:

http://soundcloud.com/sondericker/mantra-original-mix

How do you guys approach song writing? Do you begin with a basic for in mind (wind-up, groove, build, break, groove, outtro) or is it more so different every time out? Hopefully this is an appropriate forum for this kind of discussion. I'm not looking to promote my music but rather discuss production and writing technique.

Thank you.