JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Lyric Feedback Forum 3 Need Your Help - Muse Overmedicated & On the Blink

Hey Gang,

As much as I was dreading my surgery, I was SO looking forward to the amount of "free time" I'd have during my convalescence. I had visions of reading all those books you thoughtfully suggested, writing dozens of lyrics, etc etc.

BUT I've done neither. My concentration is shot. I have STACKS of ideas for songs...but just can't seem to take them anywhere. This is all compounded by a lot of miscellaneous stressors in my environment. I've done a lot of lurking, reading/listening to some great songs....and 95% of the time I just don't have the wherewithal to reply (which isn't quite fair, I suppose, given my encouragement for everyone to go take a listen to the Broken Record CD teaser song "Broken Up and Broken Down")....

So after much soul searching, I've come up with two hypotheses. One, I'm just dang depressed. Understandable, and explains my symptoms. Two, I'm taking so many meds post-op, they've dulled my creativity. Sort of a cop-out....but perhaps a corrolary to hypothesis one.

SOOOOO. What's the point of all this public self-analysis?

I'm hoping you can help jumpstart my muse.

I figure nothing on my plate has done it, so maybe I need some fresh ideas.

I don't want to steal any topic/hook you might want for yourself....but knowing me as you do...maybe you can think of something to help ease me back into writing shape?

Or even a writing exercise to help get me going?

I admit it's embarassing to put all this out here...and I suspect there is a small faction who believes I'm just being lazy. But I'm past looking for excuses --I'm looking for a musical lifeline.

Thank you for any assistance you might have to offer.

Beth

Beth, I understand and sympathize. (No, I have not Been There. I hope to keep my relationship with broken bones and wheelchairs at a firm distance.)

When my muse disappears for a bit, I always figure she's down at the tavern, getting wasted and flirting (those Muses were horrible over-indulgers--read your mythology), and it's up to me to lure her back--usually by being more interesting. Yes, it's a myth, but a convenient one--it forces me to have a more interesting life.

First answer to the question is the classic one in response to any trauma--"There's probably a song in it." I even approached writer's block that way (eventually, y'understand)--I wrote a song about it. ("The Writer's Block Blues.") I'd think--approaching this as an outsider, of course--that there's tons of fodder in your Different Daily Life. You're the quintessential 21st Century Person, aren't you? Instead of feet, wheels; medicated to the gills (hey, that rhymes); worrying 'bout flat tires instead of flat feet...

Couple sideline thoughts. One potential advantage of being housebound (and wheelchair-bound) is it can nudge you into fantasy. You're not so much divorced from reality as having sa mutually-agreed-upon separation ("Honey, I think we should see other people for a while"). An opportunity to channel Dr. Seuss, maybe? "Oh, the places you'll go!..."

Alfred Hitchcock comes to mind, too. In "Rear Window," his protagonist is wheelchair-bound (after an operation, as I recall), housebound, and generally living in fantasy. And when he witnesses a Real Murder, he's got the problem of convincing everybody. What happens when Reality *does* intrude? How do you deal with it?

Any of that help?

Joe

Thanks, Joe. Yes, the pep talk part at least. I gotta take off for a while.

Be back later...

Beth

Hi Beth

When I badly sprained my left hand 2 winters ago - I was Just beginning to Find myself on the guitar - and suddenly I could No longer play ---- it took a Year to get me back to where I was before the sprain.... During that time I focused MOre on lyric writing and vocal training --- I'm at a point in my life where I do not want to waste a single day not working on some form of music or writing...... One of the things I found was some FREE music lessons in music theory etc..... I ate this stuff up....while I could not practice --- everything you learn helps to make a better song.... here's a link to a Lot of free stuff and there is a lot more out there -- just type in Free music lessons....

http://www.berkleeshares.com/songwriting__arranging


Another thing to try is write New words to songs that you like......

I don't think that you can force the muse - but I do think that you can use your time well.

Hope something here helps
jm

Hi Beth,

It's difficult being so open about such a thing, and I think half the problem, if there actually IS a problem, is in keeping something like this to yourself.

I don't think there are any easy answers. Sometimes what the soul wants is time to air out. Sometimes going patiently with wherever your "depression" or "lack of creativity" is taking you IS the right way to proceed. It IS the tougher route, though, you just need to have confidence that there is a bigger "you", over you, that has wisdom and IS guiding you, though it may seem uncreative and bleak at any given moment. The "over" you has gotten you this far in life, and I'd say your character and writing and humanity can attest that you are the whole package as a human being.

Life has it's bleaker moments, and I imagine it's practically impossible writing through many cross-talking drugs, in the first place. You may just need to be a lot more patient while "focusing" on your "intention" while you are writing, for your mind is probably more apt to drifting with all the medicines...So,imo, sitting "zenlike" while focusing on "intention" is thee ONE prerequisite the muse must have: it must KNOW you are there, listening, waiting patiently. When it knows this and trusts...it will come...

Otherwise, ... ...I would suggest different activities that couldn't help but put poetry in your soul, and then it's just up to you to suss out good lines from bad!

Two movies that do it for me are "Koyanisquaatsi" which is a documentary of pure "visuals" that works on the psyche in many ways, on many levels. It is visual poetry, and it is hard to watch and not come away with a full heart...

The other, my favorite movie EVER, is "Wings of Desire" a German movie by director Wim Wenders, about a couple "cool" angels whose jobs are to observe people throughout time, take down the minutes, etc...The director makes us hear the inner thoughts of us normal people, from the point of view of these two "angels" whose natural ability is to hear others' thoughts.

There are many twists, but the effect on viewers is to feel amazing ALIVE in big neon letters. Remember, these angels can ONLY observe, for all time...how full of poetry to just drink a cup of coffee? To actually scratch an itch? To actually have an itch to scratch?

I cannot watch this movie without feeling moved, more alive, thankful, full of poetry...I recommend this movie. It'll set your soul on fire. Promise.

Or, think of things, in your own life, that work to "jump start" creativity, and go from there...and oh yeah...you have friends here, but I think you get that

Be well, and stay in touch!

Mike

Yep, You've got it all over people years ago. Go traveling with Google earth. Write a song for every country you visit. That'll take considerable time <G>
Y

Hi Beth. I'm sorry your muse seems to be AWOL. I've found when I'm suffering from writer's block that two things often help...though not always.

1) I'll look through my catalog of older lyrics until I find one that, while the seed of a good idea had always been there, the thing just never did germinate. Or if I did have a complete lyric, in my heart of hearts, I knew it was a real stinker, or to be more diplomatic, not quite as stong as it could be. So, I'll take that framework and make myself pick it apart and re-work it. You don't need your muse for the idea; you already have it. I have posted a number of songs the past year or so that started life in one form, and after a complete overhaul, emerged as something completely different. For me, that has been almost like writing a brand new song.

2) Somewhat related to number 1. I find if I have a part of a lyric (verse and a chorus, fer instance) that someone else has started, it frequently sparks a few ideas in me that I can add. Often times, the person who presents that lyric fragment is in need of my help, and that somehow inspires my pen to start scribbling. I've been a part of a few collaborations that came about that way.

2.1) Very related to number 2 above. If you're interested in a collaboration, I have such a lyric fragment and song idea that I'm having trouble getting past the basic idea and one chorus. I could PM you with details if you like. If you're not up for that, no sweat. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

A final thought. You've already proven yourself to be a more than capable lyricist. My prediction is that once the slump ends - and it will end, they always do - you will be bursting with ideas just begging to be sprung. Hang tough!

Greg

Me with Greg. And also related to Greg's #2.1, I have one of them snippets, too, if you want to lure your Muse back from the tavern with it. Depends on how you feel about reincarnation and dead dogs (in that order).

Joe

I'd like to tell you what I do when I'm stuck on a lyric and can't finish it...............nothing because I have found if I try forcing the word it doesn't work so I let mine come to me naturally when they choose to, I know this won't help you but it's the truth(at leastway for me)

Hello Beth. First up take care of yourself and that includes giving youresel a break. Whether it be depression, or meds or a combination of both (or nothing at all except a missing Muse, mine has also gone under and nothing I can do at the moment will bring her out. When that happens to me I accept and veg.)

Secondly. Know that we are here for you. Read the posts and see if you can grab an idea, post a comment if you feel up to it, if you don't well then don't (We will still be here for you.) Give yourself as long as you need to shake what ever is blocking you out of the way.

As an exercise for you sometimes what I like to do is watch tv and have a piece of paper handy jotting down hooks as the come up. (In other words you are not watching as much as you are listening for hooks.) Another is grab the tv guide and look at the movie section, there are great hooks there.

And nothing beats getting outside. RELAX and let nature take its course. She knows what is best for you AND...

remember we are there for you.

Douglas

Hey Joe, Joice, Mike, Y, Greg, Gary & Doug,

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and suggestions. While certain muse-squashing circumstances are out of my control (medical issues, for example), you've been helpful in reminding me of what I can or still should be able to do -- within reason of course!

I found the link you posted, JM, particularly helpful -- it gives some very cool and specific ideas about what to do to get my juices flowing.

Hopefully combined, these ideas will help do just that...but in the meantime, please know I AM around -- just perhaps not as LOUDLY as I have been in the past.

Thanks again,
Beth

Have you tried writing the blues?

In the blues if you have one line you've got two, because of the repeats.

When nothing else shows up for me to write down sometimes a blues, or two, will.

When this happens, I sometimes find that it is because I have reached a plateau of some sort. I want to write differently, and stretch my wings. This could be the start of a breakthrough

The thing with that is that our inner censor can come into play. We have a blank page, and we don't want to "dirty" it with a line that may not satisfy. Yet we have to. Then we have something to work on.

Listen to music, read, do whatever - but allow yourself 20-30 minutes a day to write whatever comes to you. It doesn't have to be good. At some point a phrase will leap out, an idea will emerge, and you will be away and running.

Or maybe look at a picture and imagine the story behind it, and what happens next. Get "into the shoes" of someone in the picture. Write about that.

Hey Beth,
Here's an idea, write the worst song ever. Fill it up with cliches, bad rhymes, obvious hooks, predictable chord changes, and a totally ridiculous story line. You may just shock your muse into giving up the ghost. Muses have pride too you know. Mine left me years ago, couldn't stand the fact that I liked the Ramones.
Rick

Morning all.

More fun ideas. I think writing a really bad song might not be as easy as it sounds...

BUT, sick daughter (respiratory infection) now has to go back to docs.... was supposed to be better by now, no where near it. Maybe sinus infection or pneumonia....JJ's gotta take her in in a half hour.

THESE are the worries that are keeping me from writing!!!

As I was just mentioning to Glynda, perhaps this might be the hook I can work on: "Where the Heck is the Last Straw?" -- you know, as in, "it's always something"....

AAAAARGH!!!

Thank you though....
Beth

Hi Bethy....I'm not going to say I've been there on the physical end for that length of time...cause I haven't....but I do know
that emotions can sure sap.....big time. But the good news is
you are prolific....and seem to have an endless supply of words..for songs!!....... and it will come back....
Sorry about your daughter getting hit with something...when you're down! ....So much stuff is going around too...
When our kids are hurting physically or emotionally...To me,
that's a huge sapper...

Looking up at your post...you have some wonderful rhymes going
like drama and trauma..... I had a friend tell me once, No,
I don't like your lyric...but if you'd go back...and put parts of your ramble into a song...I'd buy it... So sometimes, it's a fun exercise...to take some of our conversations...like Stan's for example..(and I don't think he'd mind t'all)...and pull a song out from his "sharings" ....
and along with that,..just know, the words will return...

very best....
h,
Kaley

Y'know, trying to write a Really Bad Blues would be an interesting challenge. For you, not me--I have tried, twice, and am not really up to it. In one case, I actually got an e-mail from a guy saying "That really happened to me--how'd you know?" (And of course, it didn't, quite, because he obviously hadn't been executed for it.) But you, girl, are one of the better lyricists I know...

joe

Sens me something unfinished or just unborn as yet, and I'll see what I can do.....

Hi Beth,

Here’s an idea: draw on your other talents. Literally! You’re an artist, Beth. Take out your sketchpad and see what happens! How exciting! Sometimes just having a pencil in hand is enough to stir something. No matter what you draw, it wasn’t there before and can only be expanded, as more ideas come to light. Trust yourself to wander around a bit. Like someone said, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just let it be. At least you’re stirring the creative pot.

Kristi

G'Mornin' Mz O! (& Happy Daylight Savings Time...!)

First Off, I'm sorry you're at a point where Lack of Cool Ideas is a-buggin' ya, but I do laud ya for mentioning it in-print & lettin' alla us other Folks give ya as-best-we-can advice.

There's already been a bunch of what appears to me Good Advice. I'll add my less-than-2-cent's worth, since I DO care about ya Mz Beth..but it's Just One Guy's Opinion: And..heh..This Guy is one who once "Took A Decade Off".."Cold Turkey"..& flat-out Did Something Else. The "Fire" I'd put into Songwriting I put into collecting Early Electric Fans.

1500 Fans later...& with a Book Deal under-contract...THEN my Muse Returned...with a vengeance. The fan book never got written, though it might yet, someday...since no one's since tackled it properly/I might yet get The Time. And..now that I've had a Decade of Songwriting (again) with No Measurable Income off it, my wife might (again) convince me to "Try Something Else" just like she did back in 1989.

I'm still penning Songs because it gives me Great Joy/there's nothing else that's a close "Second" to it..YET..when I HAVE to pen Stuff I'm NOT proud of..I'm quite willing to take some Time Off..do SOMETHING ELSE that feels pleasurable-&-meaningful..& feel totally Guilt-Free about it.

I know, deep-down, you've got a Wonderful Sense of Humor & a GREAT Gal's-Eye Perspective on things. The Health & Meds have got ya down..for the moment..BUT..you'll get it Back Together, given enough time. Allow Your Muse some Recovery Time, as well.

I'm living proof a Decade-Off won't hurt ya a bit..IF that's what it takes to get it all "Back Again". (I'm also living proof
that Songwriting for Money-in-the-Bank remains a very elusive goal. But..if ya love The Craft enough..it's got Other Rewards Galore!)

So...as the Eagles once sang..."Take It Easy...Take It Easy...Don't let the sound of your own wheels...Drive ya crazy..."

I'm here pullin' for ya...&...we-uns still got a Co- a Goin', when you're ready to mess with it again..if ya remember.

No Big Rush! I learned Patience long-ago..&..it's as important as lettin' your Muse breathe-free.

Big Well-Wishin' Hugs,
Mr Manana Hisself,
Stan

Beth. You and I have talked privately before. If you want to talk, I am here through pm. ok? take care sweetie. Kim

Hi Beth,

here's the title of a book I read very recently: The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. I think it can solve many of the problems an artist is sure to encounter during his/her life.

Take care,

Yann.

Hi Lee, Alistair, Rick, Kaley, Joe, Sam, Krsiti, Stan, Kimberly, Yann....

Thank you all for offering your take on my situation -- and providing thoughtful advice. Just knowing that so many of you have taken the time to hold my hand during this rough period in my life (remember, this muse business is just the tip of the iceberg :o !) means a lot to me.

I've especially appreciated getting "permission" as it were, to just let it come naturally. But still, there are things I can do in the meantime to keep the creativity flowing, and I've actually mapped out some time today to work on some of those very exercises.

So thanks again for your help!!

Ciao for now,
Beth