I try not to write things that are inspired by another song. More to the point, I don't write a song because I wished I wrote the original and I would like something like the original...Make sense?

That's song that gives you that big buzz, don't try to do something like it...it won't turn out well. Just play riffs and melodies from your head and your practice noodling.

Thing is, that noodling will be more original than an 'inspired by' song. Sure, the riff/lick will be drawn back to another one from a famous artist (or even not so famous) but if it is from what you feel by playing, it is not stolen.