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Loss
by Ricki E. Bellos. 12/11/19 02:53 PM
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Mexico
by David_Pulizzi. 12/10/19 11:36 AM
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#977158 - 09/20/12 01:54 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Doug Barnett]
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,522
niteshift
Top 50 Poster
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Top 50 Poster

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,522
Sydney, Australia
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Or it you're really stuck, you can try... Song Name Generator or one of the similar programmes out there. They don't write the song for you, but can at least get some random ideas happening. Apparently Bowie used to cut up random words fron newspapers, put two together, and go from there. I guess any two random words from a dictionary will at least get the thoughts going. cheers, niteshift PS - just saw Doug's post. Yes, it's about seemingly unconnected events which makes good writing.
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#977161 - 09/20/12 02:11 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: niteshift]
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,313
Ray E. Strode
Top 30 Poster
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Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,313
Brunswick, Ga. USA
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Well, If you have written a lot of songs already and new ideas are absent just quit for a while. Do other things. I haven't written anything for over 3 years. I have a song file where I put ideas for later. I currently have about 3 ideas that need work but it is still not coming.
Nashville? Have a nice visit but don't expect to accomplish anything while you are there. I think things are pretty dead right now.
Ray E. Strode
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#977169 - 09/20/12 03:44 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Mark Kaufman]
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,313
Ray E. Strode
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Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,313
Brunswick, Ga. USA
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Well Mark, Sometimes when I start to write something, I think, damn, I've already written that! No kidding. After a while you run out of Ideas. I have been making some phone calls to prospective publisher's to see if I can send some songs. Most are disconnected. I have plenty of songs to pitch. No Prospects.
Ray E. Strode
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#977175 - 09/20/12 03:57 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Ray E. Strode]
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,561
Mark Kaufman
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Top 40 Poster

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,561
Minneapolis
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I hear you. When my first child was born, I pretty much hung up my guitars and kissed songwriting goodbye. It lasted about a dozen years, until I finally realized it was the root cause of an increasing depression. So I began to try to write songs again, and to my horror, I realized I couldn't finish a damn thing. The magic was gone
Well, I thought it was, anyway. What pulled me out of it was a decision to just play. I bought a used cassette multitracker and started recording instrumental stuff. Then I found myself just messing around with lyrics again, but not really caring about the result. That low-rent way of doing things started to spark much better ideas. Now I feel like I'm at the top of my game, and the ideas are always within reach again. I had to stop trying to write my best work...it was too frustrating when I couldn't come up with anything good enough. It was only through the process of allowing myself to put out a bunch of crap for fun that the good stuff began to return again.
Hope you get that old feeling back again--the longer we're here, the more we ought to know...I truly think your best work is yet to be written.
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#977180 - 09/20/12 04:31 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Mark Kaufman]
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 9,114
John Lawrence Schick
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Top 20 Poster

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 9,114
PA
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I guess we all have to figure out what inspires us to go own in this crazy business. I find changing course every couple days works for me. If I compose a dozen piano rags and feel wiped-out, I’ll change course and compose a tango, ballad, etc. Or an orchestrated work. Or an Asian/ World track. Or an electronic track. The idea is not to get hung-up in the same mode.
Of course songwriting is more limited in options. But maybe if you’re writing Country tunes, try changing course and write a pop, folk, jazz standard – something totally different than your normal genre.
Also if you’re writing love songs, try writing drinking songs, political songs, Sci-Fi tunes like “My Baby Came from Outer Space”. I also think staying active in your writing daily is important. I compose every morning. The afternoons I use for recording. Then after supper I usually relax with the misses and watch some old films. They often inspire me for the next morning.
I guess I’m addicted to routine. Anyway it works for me. If taking a break from writing works for some that's fine. Just don't stay away too long. Life is short.
You don't think I'm coming off like a preacher do you?
Reverend John
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#977206 - 09/20/12 07:20 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: John Lawrence Schick]
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,067
Scott Campbell
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Top 10 Poster

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,067
Lakeland, FL, USA
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I think you've got some great ideas here for getting out of a writer's block. However, your situation might be different - I can't quite tell from your post. You say you are writing for an album and are stumped. If the songs are not really related to one another, that probably means you are just daunted by the sheer number. However, if the album has a theme, it's a different story - because you are constrained by the fact that the songs all have to fit the theme. If it's the former, I'd say just do what the folks here suggest. If it's the latter, I'd do what they suggest too. However, I wouldn't expect that every song has to be on the album. I guess what I'm saying is, if you are writing to a theme, don't force it - otherwise it will sound like you are forcing it. Just put yourself in situations where you might get inspiration and hope that it comes. If it doesn't, wait.... In the meantime, use the tricks given here to keep you writing songs that won't appear on the album. That way you keep in a songwriting mode and it will be easier when inspiration comes. And you might come up with some cool stuff too - even if it doesn't work for the album. I'm not entirely making this up - I'm in that situation a lot  Scott
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#977208 - 09/20/12 07:37 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Scott Campbell]
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,561
Mark Kaufman
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Top 40 Poster

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,561
Minneapolis
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Another thing to beware of: do you always try to write at the same time of day? If so, maybe it's just the wrong time. Back in my 20's, I used to write my best stuff at night...nowadays, I reserve nighttime for mixing or recording. I create best in the morning now, with fresh energy and a brain unburdened by a long day's memories and concerns. By nighttime, my creative ideas are dumbed down and hard to reach. I can play instruments and sing, and I can mix and do other left-brain stuff until I fall asleep in my chair, but my muse is off-duty and won't answer my calls.
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#977356 - 09/21/12 05:31 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,448
Ande Rasmussen
Top 200 Poster
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Top 200 Poster
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,448
Martindale, TX, USA
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how others deal with writers block
It happens.
I am currently trying to write songs for a album and am stumped. Let go of that goal take a break Go live
Cowrite
listen to lots of music READ have your song idea radar ON all the time and jot down ideas
"usual style of writing is melody first, then lyrics to suit" shake up your process
don't worry about it flow comes and goes keep showing up don't edit or analyze too soon allow yourself to write crap and rewrite and rewrite
get feedback and critiques
Ande Rasmus sen Ande R a s m u s s e n@aol.com Ande R a s m u s s e n.com SongRamp.com/ande MySpace.com/anders
Texas Grammy Gov 06-08 grammy.com/Texas
Editor Of "Inspirations for Songwriters" SongWriterBlog.com Explore the message archive
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#977374 - 09/21/12 09:47 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,186
Vicarn
Top 40 Poster
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Top 40 Poster

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,186
UK
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I usually get ideas on a long drive somewhere (sometimes they are songs)  . Take a recorder with you and just let it flow. Vic
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#977407 - 09/22/12 06:12 AM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 621
Pat Hardy
Top 500 Poster
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Top 500 Poster

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 621
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The really important thing to do is not worry about how bad or uninspired your next song is, the important thing to do is just write it, and write another one, and so on. It's a muscle, you keep it strong by excercising it, but taking a break, a short one, every so often.
I liken it to a prospector panning for gold. You gotta sift thru a lot of sand to find nuggets, but the nuggets never come in a steady even pace, they come in groups, so, you're in in a sandy period, but if you stop, you'll never get to the nuggets, but if you continue, the law of averages will kick in.
Pat Hardy Lockwood
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#978559 - 10/01/12 11:32 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
London Lassie
Casual Observer
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Casual Observer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Midwest
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Listen to your favorite kind of music and just let it soak into your soul
A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart. - Johann Wolfgang Goethe, from "Faust"
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#980216 - 10/15/12 01:24 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion? *DELETED* *DELETED*
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 854
December X
Top 500 Poster
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Top 500 Poster
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 854
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Post deleted by December Rock Star
Last edited by December Rock Star; 10/15/12 01:27 PM.
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#991882 - 01/13/13 09:18 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Wysha Thorne-Anderson]
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,568
Kevin Emmrich
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Top 10 Poster

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,568
Crozet, VA
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I always have trouble with writers block because I have it all the time and it's hard enough writing a song but even harder when you try to write one and you can't, and if I do I try to do it right and if I said I take criticism, only some, as I don't have a thick skin IN THE SLIGHTEST, and I will admit that I do get upset when people don't think that what I'm doing is good because what I do is what I do, and I can say I have the worst case of writers block that I know of and that not even advice can get me out of it. If you are sensitive to critical reviews, you need to let folks know that when you post songs. You may want to try out FAWM which starts February 1st. You won't a more positive, supportive group anywhere. That will stomp your "writer's block" into the ground!
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#999423 - 03/14/13 12:45 PM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Theoriginalrocker]
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 18,829
Brian Austin Whitney
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Top 10 Poster

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 18,829
Indianapolis, IN USA
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One approach is to pick up an instrument you can't play, or have never tried or haven't in a long time and plunk around on it. By breaking the pattern and perhaps by struggling to play, your creative mind will try to overcome the deficit and kick in. REM once did a complete album all playing new instruments they couldn't previously play. I always remembered that and bought an acoustic/electric bass which I can't play, but found myself writing tons of songs around. If you're a guitarist, try plunking around on a keyboard, or find a drum machine to program some tracks which might light a spark up for you.
Usually it's the fact you have to write for a specific project. As the deadline approaches the floodgates will open on their own. I know that happens with me often. Amazing what some deadline panic will do. I've had critical ideas come up where I finished something seconds from a deadline.
Good luck,
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@aol.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..."
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#1001789 - 03/30/13 12:00 AM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Jim Colyer]
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,403
Joe Wrabek
Top 40 Poster
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Top 40 Poster

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,403
Garibaldi, OR USA
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I'd agree with Stan and Brian--but I'd go further. Do different stuff, period. Go some places you've never been, meet people you haven't known before, do stuff you haven't done. Inspiration can come from anywhere; spice your life up a little and see what happens. Like Bill Shakespeare said (at least, I hope he said it--I quoted him in a video), "Keep your eyes and ears open and remember the world is a very strange place." I had writer's block once. I ultimately decided the solution was to write a song about it. Since I wrote "The Writer's Block Blues" ( http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=2094541), I haven't had the problem. Joe
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#1001897 - 03/31/13 01:30 AM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: Joe Wrabek]
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Douglas Murphy
Top 40 Poster
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Top 40 Poster

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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for me it is to write, write anything, let the ideas flow where ever they want and try to complete every idea started. you will get "bad" ones as well as good ones and sometimes those bad become the good.
I imagine you you know that writing, like other things we do, needs to be worked at. the more you do the easier it is to re-connect with your muse.
and as others have said, try some place new, try something new AND relax. the ideas will come.
douglas
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#1002758 - 04/08/13 03:27 AM
Re: Writers Block, any suggestion?
[Re: T.Wallace]
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 621
Pat Hardy
Top 500 Poster
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Top 500 Poster

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 621
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Sometimes when I'm stumped, I'll go over to my piano, and let my fingers noodle on the keys. Found a few nice melodies this way -- amidst a seemingly chaos of notes, a melody emerges. It might take a half hour, but one usually comes. I find it's easier on the piano than the guitar to do this, though I'm primarily a guitarist. I don't know why it is.
Another way is just to strike a chord, one chord, and see if a melody emerges, or play a rhythm on a chord, or a chord progression, or fool around looking for progressions I've not done before; get out of the comfort zone, so to speak. I do that sometimes, too.
But, there are times when I "feel a song coming on". I don't know how to explain it. And when that happens, the melody and chords happen simultaneously, it never fails me, but I don't know how to provoke that feeling, it comes and goes.
When it comes to lyrics, which is more often than not, I let someone else write them, problem solved. It's nice though, when I can do both, but most often others write my lyrics. I'm not a man with that much to say.
Pat Hardy Lockwood
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