Inspiration

[ZiggyBoy91]

I used to be a rather good song writer. i even used to sing in a band for a while until i moved away. After i moved i stopped writing and singing. Now i am trying to start writing again but i am having trouble getting inspired. Before i never had that problem and now i just cant. If any other writers have any advice with this problem, i would gladly appreciate it.

[LunarPhoenix]

These help inspire any of my creative needs (arts, crafts -- including writing/playing music/lyrics)...

I try to step back and find some spark from life to inspire me -- from the experience of existence, the people or "stuff" around me, beauty/utopia or despair/dystopia, the range of human emotion, nature, something ordinary but from a new perspective, a single word contemplated, a world event, etc. Some voice I feel needs attention or a void that needs filling or a shallow subject that deserves depth or a dream I have for the future...

I read poetry, quotations, look at art, doodle, listen to music, watch movies, do some physical activity or crafts, or whatever else comes to mind. I dance to music or musical movies, write silly jingles, scribble/color like a little kid... Not to mention the obvious: mimicking others.

You could also try taking a walk outside, watching some clouds, mentally tracing the skeletal structure of a tree, that kind of thing -- let your mind wander and find its focus. I often play with my hands or trace patterns around me, like on a couch pillow.

Another idea is to take a bath and bring a notebook and pen with you (write on the tub edge atop a hand towel to keep it dry). I could not count the number of times staring at the blank wall or playing with the peaceful water has opened my mind in a new way.

Most importantly, live your life and be observant. Challenge yourself so your brain stays interested in the game of life. You could go somewhere that irritates you and fuel that. Don't like the outdoors? Go for a hike. Loathe commercialism? Go to the mall. Or go somewhere you love and fuel that. Like sports? Attend/watch a game. Love the city? Visit! Love games/pets/whatever? Play!

If need be, keep pen/paper on you to jot down inspiration -- especially right before bedtime. Feel something? Try something new? See something? Share it. Put your pen to paper and expand upon it. That nudge of momentum will help the rest flow.

P.S. A music-specific note: Interestingly enough, some of my best ideas come from humming while preparing food in the kitchen. It starts as something completely inane or insipid -- like "Do Re Miiiiii Do Re La! Do Si Do Si DOOOO" and sometimes I'll tap a beat on the counter. Or I'll have a random phrase in my head that I'll use. Like "Whaaat did she say? She saaaid whatt? whattt? What did she saaaaay? She said what.what.what.what." Next thing I know, I'm racing against my memory to jot down some notes or lyrics or hum something into a computer recording for later.

[LunarPhoenix]

I forgot Stream of Consciousness! Start rambling about something and let your mind wander with it. All pen to paper (or finger to keyboard; whichever works for you). See what develops...

For instance, not sure of your style, but here's some rhyme-y poem-esque brain-glurge (<-- another one: if the words aren't coming, just spit the feeling/meaning out and decipher/clean it up later. lol) I just coughed up about your creative block (in first perspective)... I began by listening to The Rocket Summer "This Is Me" in order to channel the feeling I wanted and stimulate my brain into a creative mood.

Spoiler

No clue what I'm writing
In this life I'm living
No clue what I should be writing
Or what I should be giving

Can't figure it out
But shouldn't I care about something more?
Shouldn't something be more important
Than trying to keep this score?

I see where I want to be
What I want to see
But my eyes are glued
To the nearest tree

Look at its roots
They're reaching to the sky
No wonder it can't quench its thirst
Its water's running dry

I'm like the tree
I hunger to fly
But I'm glued to the ground
Waiting to die

No! I refuse! Eff that mess.
My mind's too determined to pass the test
Gonna place my feet back to the floor
And kiss this block heaven-ward

Don't get me wrong, my mind's in the clouds
I just have a little something to help the droughts
Gonna make the creative a way of life
Instead of a hot and cold mountain of strife...

Note: forgive me. I get super cheesy/fluffy when I go the poem route. But see, if you notice, after "waiting to die" I got a surge of creativity. The ball was rolling. The structure even changed. I could have launched from there and written something from that brain-branching-over-the-place zone...

Anyways, we're all geared and aimed in different ways, so sorry if none of this resonates with you. If that's the case, I hope someone else offers something that hits closer to home.

[skoubri]

LunarPhoenix said it

In general I don't think you have to push yourself. Just let everything flow. Inspiration is something that just comes to you. The only thing you can do is observe. Forget about yourself and focus around you. On good music, beautiful paintings, interesting people in the street, the sky, the sea, a poem, a book. And then it will just hit you. Creating music and lyrics is like putting the world in sounds and words. So try to keep an eye on this world. Then you will be able to right beautiful things.

Don't concern yourself with things like "I could do it, now I can't". The change of environment is a change that affects your soul. So relax and enjoy the life's ride and I'm sure you will be able to write again in no time. Just don't think about it. Feel, dream, touch, smell, listen and you'll write.

[SkyLee]

Don't think too much about writing just do your "normal everyday stuff" and eventually you'll find your inspiration.

[ZiggyBoy91]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[sushishots]

Take your guitar to the nearest park, bring a blanket or find a bench and pluck around notes for awhile. I guarantee it'll work. The main thing to do if you are a songwriter with the guitar as your primary instrument is to just sit down and play around the fretboard for a few minutes. Try different tunings. This also fills up the quote for finger training.

We all work different though, as mentioned above some tend to get feelings they want to convey through the guitar by watching a painting or a really good movie.
As for me, my most creative period is when I fall in love, I mostly only write when I have something to say to a person or have an opinion on something.

Listening alot to music is important too.