Writing songs

Hi

I have the task of writing a song (not words just music), using about 8-10 chords not to dificult, with the hope of writing a solo to go over it within the next couple of weeks, i'd like it to be a up beat song, verse, bridge, chorus, verse, chorus, i think that's the right sort of order, i was told major is upbeat, minor is more mellow, is that bit correct? Help wlecome as always, many thanks in advance.. 8)