Writer’s Block

Almost all writer’s get ‘writer’s block from time to time - a period when inspiration doesn’t seem to come, when writing anything is hard work. Of course if you’ve been jotting down ideas from time to time like I suggested - words, phrases, ideas you come across in your normal day - this should be less of a problem. For many songwriter sthis is not a major problem anyway unless they have a deadline to meet - like being in the studio next week to finish the album, or a meeting with a co-writer or agent.

The best thing to do is … nothing. Just wait til the muse visits once more.

If you are in a hurry, work through all those scraps, putting bits together tob spark more ideas; read a magazine and look for an interesting phrase or comment. Do the same when watching TV programmes,. Play some older music and see how you can re-work old ideas (not lyrics or melody but the ideas behind the words). If desperate ask friends if they have any ideas for a song. Something should come up. The resulting song (Ior part of a song) may not be your best but continue to develop it, polish it, extend it until it is ‘competent’. Leave it for a couple of days and then go back and review it. Is it worth pursuing? Have you had any ideas in the meantime?

In the end, songwriting is like most jobs. You have to go to work even if you’re not really feeling up to it - but make the journey to work part of the inspiration-seeking process; listen to conversations on the bus or train; read thr posters you pass. Are any words in a strange place or do they have s strange rhythm when read out loud. Why?

Work at it. Don’t just wait if there is a deadline to meet. You are a professional., Act like one!