Creative block or writers block. We all get it at some point. There are times you can be on a roll and the ideas flow which can really boost your enthusiasm and spirit. Other times, you can be your own worst enemy and have your inspiration and motivation fly out the window. Maybe you’re trying to write that last verse or stuck going in circles on a song you’ve been sitting on for months. Or maybe you have been distracted with other things going on in your life.
Whilst it’s rewarding to create original music, sometimes the biggest killers are procrastination and feeling unproductive. There are lots of reasons creative people might suffer from a writing block. Fatigue, self-doubt, mood, being on tour, high expectations, feeling overwhelmed, fear of failure, deadlines or too much time. I know for me, the pressure I put on myself to write “a good song” stops me from actually writing. But we all know that the process is part of it, and practice is also a big part of it. How can we write a great song if we don’t start in the first place?
Here are some things that I do to nudge me along the songwriting path.
1. Sit at the piano first thing in the morning and play whatever comes to mind.
2. Make myself a fresh pot of tea, sit down at the piano with a clean pad of paper and don’t leave until I have finished a song. Or need to pee.
3. If I am pulling my hair out and can’t finish a lyric or song ending, I go for a walk. A really long walk, 1-2 hours depending. Walking is the best for thinking and relaxing.
4. Read and brainstorm. I recently bought some old books, more specifically a collection of country and western tales. I went through with a highlighter and picked out words that I thought I could weave into a song. Words like ‘colt 45’, ‘gun-slinger’, and ‘outlaw’ or sentences that I could set a scene or story with, such as ‘open country to sleep in’ or ‘cattle men in spurred boots’. You get the idea.
5. Just write. Doesn’t have to make sense. Could be a poem, a story, some thoughts, a journal entry. Get those creative juices flowing by just writing what comes to mind without the pressure of ‘writing a song’.
6. Check yourself. For real. Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Did you eat breakfast? Are you sore? Do some stretches, meditate then sit down with your instrument!
7. Start with a simple idea. Could just be a riff, a melody, some chord changes, a chorus, a drum beat, a bass line. Then walk away and come back later and keep building. Or if you’re on a run keep going!
8. Co-write with someone or have a jam. This is great for bouncing ideas off each other and can help move the process along.
9. Create an awesome space to write in. Are you comfortable? Are you being distracted by your phone or dog? Set up a relaxed and inspiring space with a nice rug, some candles, good lighting and snacks.
10. Set a timer and work in intervals.
When I thought about my own process and approach to songwriting, I also thought about what other people do. With the Tamworth Country Music festival just gone, we heard many great bands and most of all lots of great songs. Who better to talk to that the song writers themselves?! Here are some fantastic words of wisdom and advice from some performers.
IMOGEN CLARK
“Creative block is one of the most frustrating things to experience as a songwriter. For me, creative block finds me when I become too set in a routine or too bored with my daily life, usually when I'm off the road and working from home. You become too familiar with your surroundings and nothing excites you. When that happens to me, I try to get outside of my comfort zone somehow. Sometimes that means taking an unexpected trip or just spending a night out with friends somewhere you don't normally go, or with people you don't normally see. I love being on the road because it keeps me creative. I see new places, experience new settings, meet new people, and it all helps make me feel like I've got new things to say. I believe your comfort zone is the enemy of your creativity.”
MICHAEL CARPENTER
“When you’re a creative, arguably the hardest thing is when it’s time to be creative, and you can’t. Unfortunately, creative blocks are part of the ebb and flow of our creative lives, and must be managed carefully, to avoid them evolving into long terms conditions and confidence erroders! I’ve only ever found a couple of sure-fire cures. The first one, is to GET inspired again. Go and listen to your favourite albums. Go and listen to a playlist of new songs in your genre. Go and read a book or watch a movie or you tube videos. Deep down, we’re all still fans. Reconnect with the ‘fan within’ and you’ll start to feel that fire again. The second one is to just play. For the love of playing. Just pick up your instrument with no agenda other than to have fun. Because it IS fun. And don’t put any pressure on yourself. It’ll all come back when your bucket is full enough. I promise.”
BEN MASTWYK
“I think the key to overcoming creative blocks is to do away self judgement. Just write. Write whatever comes into you head without judgement. Manure makes excellent fertiliser so writing, even if it’s a bunch of crap, creates a fertility from which beautiful things may grow. Do away with song structure and metering. Just write. Describe the world around you, or within you using words that come to you freely, knowing that no one ever needs to hear them. And then you’re primed. Next time inspiration strikes try to take the same approach but with a little more attention to form and purpose. It works well for me.”
MELODY MOKO
“Creative block for me comes in waves, I seem to be either overflowing or a shut-up shop. It seems to coincide with certain life events too, when I had both of my babies, I was all blocked up for a good few months after. I think that's probably normal for a lot of women. Creative block can be difficult to overcome, because it creates anxiety, creating is your job, and when you can't do it, you begin a vicious circle of doubt that can consume you!”
KATIE BATES
“Taking mental breaks and not forcing myself to write helps me when I have a creative block. I think the worst thing you can do is to try and force something out. I take however long I need to when I’m going through writer’s block, and I allow myself to be naturally be inspired again. It always ends up turning around for the better. I find that after listening to different records or going to shows, I’m always inspired to write and get a burst of motivation.”
EMMA BEAU
"I have to admit that I don't get writers block all that often because I purposely try to not have deadlines on my compositions. If for some reason there's a rush, I go up to my music room; a space that has my inspiration pinned up to the walls (an inviting space to be in with fairy lights, etc.). I find visual stimulation important whilst writing as well as ALWAYS putting pen to paper vs writing onto a tech device. I'm unsure why that works for me but 9/10 it does. I can't have anyone around or be listening to music whilst I write, and I prefer to create a song in one sitting where possible. I think all of us have little quirks - a lot of people write lyrics or music first, where as I do both at the same time. I wrote every song on my upcoming album myself, no co-writes, and I'm proud of that even though some people promote co-writes. Do what works for you, but if you're really stuck, my suggestions are: designate a writing space that's inviting to the senses, get out a beautiful pen and book and figure out what style of writing suits your needs - lyrics, or music, or creating both at the same time."
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