There’s just NO WAY I could get even close to reaching this 100 song goal without finding triggers – muses – things that quickly and faithfully get my creative juices flowing.
No.
Way.
Thankfully, I’m finding patterns and muses in my own creative journey this year:
- coffee/mocha of some sort. I’m not gonna lie. Caffeine/sugar works for me – starts my brain. And the sensory experience of the brewing, the stirring, the warmth, the smell, the taste. It jolts my creativity.
- lighting – Changing the lighting in the room helps me – sensory again.
- reading – Namely, blogs and books about songwriting. When I’m feeling down on my own creativity, they give me the boost of believing I actually am a songwriter – and they also have great ideas and resources to churn my brain.
- exercise – I’ve written more than one song on the way home from the gym. The chemical boost in my brain is much better than caffeine & sugar, because there’s not that awful dip in energy.
- telling myself that I don’t have to – Believe it or not, this genuinely removes the “panic” and pressure, and allows me to refuel. Sometimes the act of picking up the guitar, even though I don’t intend to write, causes the free-flow to happen. No pressure or expectations, it just happens.
- telling myself I have to – Failure is my most powerful motivator. Period.
These are some of my muses. These are my triggers that get things going. And I can return to them again and again and they come through for me. They spark creativity. It’s the craziest thing, but they work.
So I shamelessly use them. Shamelessly.
What “muses” do you use?
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1. Beach… do I say more? Okay, waves/salt air/ and sand
2. Washing dishes, Although I loathe it, but for some reason I get ALOT of my ideas with my hands in the water.
3. Laundry mat- Although I have a washer and dryer at home. Sometimes, I go to a busy city laundry mat and watch people and man I write pages.
4. Last one: a long walk.
oh yes. washing dishes. that right!
Laundry mat? Really? wow….
Seriously ….. try it!!
I don’t think I really have a muse. I should get one.
I usually just have to get myself to write the first sentence about anything and then it gets going. The only thing I would say might be my muse is water. If I soak in the shower or a bath I usually relax enough to let my thoughts wander. I’m pretty sure if I could live on a lake I’d be content 24/7.
1. Coffee, definitely
2. Shower
3. Sitting outside and watching the planes land
i need to really think about this. i’ve been feeling museless for a long time now. but i think i do have triggers. i just need to be better at recognizing them and capitalizing on them.
PS – i found your christmas gift: http://www.snorgtees.com/baconmakeseverythingbetter-p-757.html?osCsid=7f03389e089d3fac8b0318071fa33edb
oh hahahahahahahaha!!!!
i recognize that list.
You are a rare bird for failure to be your most powerful motivator. It can often cripple!
My muse(s):
A. Exercise (preferably a walk outside)
B. Reading classics
C. Reading my Bible
D. Staying in tune with other women and their worlds.
E. Telling myself I don’t have to – takes the pressure off (that’s just nasty ridiculous stuff).